Seagate External HD questions

Free Agent 500 GB.
Purchased in May 2008.

Used to image C Drive.

The Drive was containing many images and so I did delete some of them. Some of those deletes told me that the file was too big for the recycle bin but I clicked yes anyway.

Now I did a defrag of the drive yesterday (8 hours!). Also found out that there seems to be a lot more space used than what I have in total amount (GB) in images. Perhaps I ruined the drive? Were these deleted images not really deleted?

What can I do

Total Free space: 465 GB (new)
Total used space 241

But there are only about a total of 117 GB worth of images I made. So there is a big difference. I have the feeling that the ones deleted are still on that external drive somewhere yet I can't see them.

What are your suggestions please? Have no clue what if any solution can be found for this, other than throwing that external drive in the garbage even though it still works fine.

I'm a complete noob in this so please be gentle and precise. TIA!

PS: I used EaseUS Todo Backup version 2.5

 

Does this drive have its own recycle bin? That's what happens on my NAS drive and I have to clear its bin if I want the space back.

 

When I was defragging the ext HD I saw L:\RECYCLE.BIN\ and some numbers behind it but I don't see a sign of a Recycle Bin though. This is what it looked like when I took a pic while defragging. Thanks.

 

Sorry, here is a pic of the contents of the external Seagate HD. I kept only 4 images.

 

To really understand what is using disk space you need something other than Windows Explorer. Many ppl use Treesize but I prefer WinDirStat

See how your drive looks using something like that.

 

Thanks so much for reminding me of Treesize Free. :major Had it already installed and found out this much:

200.2 GB on Free Agent Ext. HD
264 GB Free

So that should be okay for a 500 GB HDD. (~465 GB)

Now there is a Windows Image Backup of 34.2 GB that I see within Seagate ext. HD, just a size of 16 bytes, then System Volume 19.7 GB and BACKUP 7.6 GB.

Now if I total it all up together, the size of 200.2 GB is okay.

What I would like to do is to delete System Volume and perhaps the other 2 mentioned above. Have no clue how a system volume would end up on this ext. hard drive. :confused

Would it be safe to delete the system volume within Treesize as I don't see it in the regular window of the external hard drive? Added a pic to show.

TIA

 

You can't and shouldn't ever try to delete System Volume Information. It's where System Restore keeps its info. You can't normally see it in Windows Explorer as it's a hidden file, though you can optionally display all hidden files. That's not recommended unless you have a particular reason. Every drive/partition has such a folder.

I suspect the Backup folder was created by Easeus Todo. It's OK to remove that if you don't need it any more. The WindowsImageBackup was created by Win 7 Backup and Restore and again can be deleted if you don't want it.

Personally I don't think it's a great idea to use two different imaging systems as you are doing. Decide which to use and use it regularly. The Win 7 method makes it difficult to keep more than one version of the backup, so of the two I would say use Easeus.

 

If you have System Protection turned ON for that drive, you can turn it OFF and that will free some space.
How to Turn System Protection On or Off in Windows 7

This may not affect you, but when I upgraded from version 2.0 to 2.5, I was not able to boot into Safe Mode and it took quite
a bit of effort to track down the cause.
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?p=1625883#post1625883
I went back to using ver. 2.0 and all is well.

It seems that the latest version(s) of Todo Backup Free do not have a bootable CD available.

If you Disable Hibernate and delete hiberfil.sys Before you make a backup image, the images will be smaller and backup
time is shorter.
Just enable it again after making the backup.
How to Enable or Disable Hibernate in Windows 7

 

That's interesting about Easeus free no longer having a boot disk - makes it not worth having imo. You could try Macrium Reflect as a free alternative, as that does have one. Then there's always Acronis, super program but not free.

 

The system volume is shown in the Treesize pic of post #6 but not in the actual external HD (pic in post #4) That's the confusing part to me. No, the Backup folder showing is by Dell Backup. Needed to find out if it makes an image of the entire C Drive. Since it's only 9-10 GB in size, it must be only take an image of the system and not the entire C drive?

Yes, I did make an image using Windows Backup and Restore but I read later that only 1 can be made or one has to rename it, way too complicated, so I just don't want to use it anymore. But will leave it there in case of an disaster.

Yesterday I installed Macrium Reflect to try it out but it error-ed out on me when trying to make an image so I just uninstalled it.

My cognitive abilities have been going into decline for the past year or so and therefore I'm looking for an easy, manual and simple imaging software and no bloat. Every image producing software that I read about have been way over my head.

 

Oh, prior to making an image I always remove all restore points except the last one.

Will have to try if I can get into safe mode while having EaseUS Todo Backup. I'm not even sure if version 2.5 offers a free bootable disk? Believe it has to do with Microsoft's decision, WinPE?

Will try to disable Hibernate and delete hiberfil.sys next time I do another image. Have bookmarked your thread. Thanks.

 

As I said before, it's a hidden folder in Windows Explorer (aka My Computer), but it's a Windows system folder and should never be deleted.

I believe that is because of a conflict between Windows Backup and Restore and Macrium Reflect. If you were to disable Win Backup then I believe Macrium would install and run.

I really doubt there is anything more straightforward to install and use than Macrium.

 

True, but that isn't now being offered. Here is the current offering -

 

Thanks dr.moriarte. However, the free version doesn't include WinPE. http://www.todo-backup.com/products/features/free-backup-software-winpe.htm

I will look into the paid version and will look again at the instructions in how to. BTW: I do have recovery disks made by an IT Tech who installed Win 7 in Dec 2011 and also the Dell Re-installation disk.

 

Oops, didn't see your reply, was too busy reading the software's instructions.

 

After doing a little more digging, I found that, apparently, the Current Free version still includes the Linux based bootable CD option.
It has far less capability than the WinPE version, but it Does provide a way to Restore a partition, which is the critical function.
They really need to update their web site to make this clearer.

Linux based bootable disk

How to create a bootable disk?

WinPE based bootable disk of EaseUS Todo Backup

You can see that they regard the WinPE bootable option as "necessary", which is only available in the paid versions.

 

Yes, I don't think Todo is free anymore. But if you are still using the version 2.5 as in Dr. Moriarty's screenshot then you should be able to create a disc suing the Create Bootable Disc option in the second half of the screen. It will be the linux disc but it works fine. I've used it.

I've always had good results with Macrium too..

 

Yes, there is a free version still available:
MG: EASEUS Todo Backup Free Edition 5.3

todo-backup.com - Download EaseUS Todo Backup Free

I have made the boot disc with version 2.0 and it boots up OK, but never did a restore with it.

Good to know that Macrium has a good rep.

 

Yes guys, I know that a Linux bootable disk is available in the free version. I tried this morning to create one but need to ask some questions about it. Added some pics for clarification.

Which button do I have to select as shown in the pic in creating that disk?

I tried the 2nd option and here's a pic to show what is on the CD. It says on the last line: Lines ready to be written to the disk.

My question is: how to proceed from there? Do I have to write it on the disk but it is on the disk already? If so.... HOW? TIA

 

Hi oma,

I'm not really sure but I think Easeus already burnt the disc and that popup is from Windows autoplay that is recognizing a CD in the tray and asking what you want to do with it, not realizing that Easus has already done its thing. I would just close out that window and try to boot the disc in your computer to verify that it works.

 

I have no clue how to boot that Linux disk into the computer. :-o I did put the disk in the tray and made then a pic which I posted to show what's in there. Something else needs to be done but don't know what. Change the boot order or something like that? Don't know about that either. Thanks sach2!

 

I don't think anything else has to be done. I think the pop up is the same as if you had inserted a USB flash and Windows asks what you want to do with it (open the folder to view files etc.). I think the Easeus program wrote the disc and yet Windows popped up anyway asking what you want to do with the disc too. You can notice that the disc has one title in the file listing on the left of your second screenshot and yet Windows is suggesting to write the disc with the new title of today's date.

You would want to leave the disc in the tray and reboot the computer. If the disc doesn't automatically load then hit F12 to get the Boot Menu and select CDROM. It should then boot from the disc to the Easeus menu.

 

Okay then sach2. When I get the courage to boot to the Linux disk, then I'll do it according to your instructions. Just don't know Linux at all and don't know what to expect when getting there and how to get out of it. :-o I'm just an old self-taught old woman without anyone who can sit beside me to show how to do it. Yep, I'm scared as this is the only computer I have.

 

I have one of those discs around somewhere. I'll check out the screens for you. I believe it just boots up to the program and runs just like a Windows disc. The Linux is all hidden. You just exit out of the program and reboot to get back to Windows. But I will post back when I run it myself to refresh my memory.

 

Just to give you some reassurance I just booted my (v2) Easeus CD and it could see both my USB external drive and my hard drive (that is the key requirement when saving and restoring images), but be prepared for the drive letters to be different from those in Windows. Because of this effect it's a good idea to always give drives and partitions a name rather than relying on drive letters.

You may want to do that before booting your CD.

 

Just did it again to refresh my memory.
It's very easy.
The computer is typically set up (to try) to boot from the CD/DVD drive If there is a disk in the drive during bootup.

I'm using version 2.0, so the disc is likely the same.
The first thing you see is the boot menu, which appears very quickly.

Boot Menu

Easeus Todo Backup
Boot from first hard disk
Reboot
​

When the program loads, the only available selection is Disk and partition recovery.
It works with a mouse or from the keyboard, using the Tab key to navigate.

To quit, click the upper right corner [x] or use the keyboard to select it and press enter.
You get a confirmation prompt that says, Do you want to quit Easeus Todo Backup
When it quits, you see some single line messages and then the computer reboots.

 

Okay, I've printed out all the pages with instructions on it so that I will be able to follow them when I will be able to get over my apprehension to do that boot.

Thank you all so much for your help and expertise.

@plodr. You're miles and miles ahead of me in your knowledge of computers. I know because I read most of your posts. If I had more than 1 PC I might have plunged into trying the booting already.

 

Hi,

mjnc has already checked the disc and his description is all you need. You can close out anytime using the (X) at the top right.

I found these screenshots. Since you just want to see if the CD boots properly when it gets to the first screen with the three choices you know it boots. Just arrow down to "Boot from first hard disk" and it will boot to Windows, eject the CD and you are done. You know the CD works.

 

You started way earlier in dealing with PC's than I did (2003 for me at age 61). Wow, you must be very tenacious in getting that PC working again with all those floppies. Unfortunately I wasted my time by spending the first years on non-tech forums rather than learning. Can't see myself getting another PC (no room either) more than one would be way over my head. My hubby is not interested in PC's at all and tells me that I already spend way too much time on it.

 

If you haven't yet been able to summon up the courage to boot that Easeus CD then it might help you to know that doing so, just to see if it boots up, and then ejecting the disk and exiting with the X top right will reboot you back into Windows and nothing at all on your computer will have been changed in any way

HTH

 

Lucky you that your hubby uses a computer, mine is completely against any *technical innovation*. Have not been able to seduce him into trying it out. He's the old-fashioned type. The only alternative I have if something goes wrong is to call an IT Tech who charges $90 + tax per hour (minimum) for a house visit. That's all the help I can get outside of forums. In addition I have my failing memory, foggy brain and deteriorating physical health. It's like banging your head against a brick wall. I try... try... try... I should not have put the XP to pasture because I could have tried the Linux boot on it. Too late now.

Back to topic. One day I will try to boot it up to Linux.

PS: my hubby also says I'm addicted to my PC and he is right.

 

Thanks so much Earthling for your assurance. Hopefully I will get the courage one day. As said, I would have more than 1 computer I would have done it already, that's for sure.

 

It's rarely if ever mentioned here but there are various ways of handing internet control of your computer to someone else. It does though require a degree of trust that few are prepared to grant, even to close friends in my experience, but it's a heck of a lot cheaper than $90 hr and will usually resolve problems

The tools used are the same as those used by those pests who call you up to tell you there are problems with your computer and who personally I would be happy to see being castrated without pain killers.

It's a delicate subject.

 

@Earthling. The IT Tech works for a Tech Comp who also do remote calls for a lesser price. I believe about $35-40 + Tax. Years ago they didn't charge if the problem could not be resolved but not anymore. I've dealt with that co and the same tech for some years.

 

If you are just looking for imaging software Seagate has DiscWizard and it looks pretty easy to use.

How to use: http://knowledge.seagate.com/articles/en_US/FAQ/202211en

Bootable media: http://knowledge.seagate.com/articles/en_US/FAQ/201951en

Download at http://www.seagate.com/support/downloads/discwizard/

 

Just so there are no surprises, the boot menu appears very quickly but there is no [x] in the corner of that screen.

The Only way to Quit from the boot menu is to select Reboot using the keyboard arrow keys.

To quit from the boot menu, Escape does not work, Ctrl+C does not work, Ctrl+Break does not work, Alt+F4 does not work.
There is no mouse driver loaded with the boot menu.
There Is a mouse driver loaded with the Todo Backup program and that is where the [x] appears at the upper right.

As Earthling described, you can boot AND load the Easeus Todo Backup program and then Quit.
No changes will be made.
It just ensures that you Can access the program.