Partitions? I Have One That Mimics Behavior Of Another..

My OS is on an SSD. I have another internal HD which is partitioned. Let's call those partitions R and S
I have files on both. If I put a file on R, it also appears on S
I've just discovered that if I delete a file from either of those partitions, my system deletes it from the other partition.
I need this behavior to stop. While it is nice to have a back up of an entire partition - I would not have set one up on the same drive and now I find I'm needing some more space, that I should be able to free up from one of those partitions but nope.. not unless I want to wipe out files on both.
I hope that made sense.

Windows 7 Ultimate (x64) Service Pack 1 (build 7601)
2.80 gigahertz Intel Core i7 860
64 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache
64-bit ready
Multi-core (4 total)

 

R is 340 gig
S is 300 gig
I keep different things on different partitions, making it easier to find files. ( I thought ) Had I still been using XP - I probably wouldn't have (windows 7 search blows) I have an elaborate file system.

That being said.. it's already partitioned so the reasons why probably have no bearing on correcting the problem.
When I create a file (3d model) and save it to R, for some reason it also saves to S. If I delete it from S, it also deletes from R. Save to S.. it saves to R. etc
There must be a tool that I do not know about that's causing this or one to correct it.

 

The only tool I know of that could cause this effect is the SUBST command which, from my limited understanding of it, would have to have been previously set up by an advanced user. Is that a possibility?

 

Unfortunately, no - I'm the only one that uses this PC.. and I put it together and installed the OS
sigh

 

Does this mirroring cause the entire partition to be duplicated or just certain folders? And have you ever dabbled with symbolic links?

 

The original files I put on each partition - different from each other are present.

The new files I save to one, duplicate on the other.. actually 3 folders (that I'm aware of) update.

I have three folders for models, buildings, furniture and "extras" that I put on one partition (R).

Sometime since I set this up (almost a year ago) those three folders appeared on the other partition (S), in a folder that isn't present on the first partition, pretty much hiding the duplicates.

I just found the duplicates a couple days ago.. tried to delete one of them and poof.. gone from the other partition too.

Then the experimenting began..adding different types of files to these folders, trying to delete just one - even text files within those folders copy to the other partition - and delete too.

 

oh.. and symbolic links - unfamiliar with them

 

Thanks for the very clear explanation I was suspecting that someone was using or had previously set up little known or used features in Windows but after your last post it now looks to me more like a function of the design software you are using. I would examine the program's options to establish whether there are any that could possibly be the cause of this, possibly following a software update. If that isn't the case I'm afraid I'm out of ideas, but hope you can get to the bottom of it.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. It's sketchup (an old one that I refuse to update) but it doesn't just happen to models. I will run through the settings anyway.
*plays Jeopardy music*
Files are being saved to the R partition according to the software.
Also
If I quick type something up in notepad and save it to one of those folders - that copies to the other one too. I tried it with pictures (memes) also.. and it's the folders on both partitions.. but just those three.
So I guess we both just throw our hands in the air for now.
I never have normal computer issues

 

Satisfy my curiosity - do the Properties of any duplicating folder on either drive have a Link Properties tab? I ask because I can exactly replicate your problem using symbolic links.

 

I checked and nope.. the tabs are

general
sharing
security
previous versions
customize

also.. now, if I make a new folder on either of those partitions, the new folder duplicates
arghghghg
so much for space saving

 

Someone must have a clue Not me unfortunately.

 

Thanks for trying

 

That would be on the list as the last ditch effort - and I'd have to go get another external drive. I was hoping there was a tool/command I wasn't aware of that would turn off this behavior. I'm an old DOS baby but can't remember all the commands .. not that I ever knew all of them.

 

The partitioned disk appears to be less than 700GB. Win 7 x64 can address disks of 2GB. ???

 

EDIT - sorry for the typo, that should have been 2TB, not 2GB.

 

I will definitely go with plodr's suggestion - post #15.

Something that might help is to colour the folders.
http://foldermarker.com/en/folder-marker-free/

 

No argument that would fix the duplication problem but it would still be nice if someone had some ideas on how to identify and fix this oddball behaviour.

 

Confucius says: "He who uses Windows will have problems."

 

I know you know plodr, it's just that I'm a bit OCD about problems like this in that I have to get to the bottom of it. Workarounds just aren't good enough and your answer is to use a workaround.

 

Well, here's another approach that did not work. Take ownership, grant admin privs of all those folders then deny the system access to one set - the duplicates on one partition.
Seemed like a good idea
failed
I know I can move everything and reformat the drive but I really got attached to my own system. And my folders are different colors (and icons)
My fear with that is, if the system is deciding what to copy.. what happens if I reformat that drive and the system decides to copy the command and reformat my C drive too? I really don't want to reinstall the OS - again. Just the drivers and updates take days

 

ok.. the problem is that when I take something off one partition, it comes off the other one too. I did copy a lot of one of them to another location, off that drive entirely.. just don't have the space yet (another external is due here tomorrow) for all the files. I'm concerned that when I try to format any of it, since it's mimicking behavior, the other partition will format with it.

 

This is not a problem as the one partition is mimicking the other.
Copy all the files from one partition to your external HDD when it arrives. Then merge the 2 partitions that are playing copycat and give the new partition a new drive letter. Split the merged partition and give them different drive letters. Copy a few files to one partition and see what happens.

 

That is the last resort work around and the plan.
I'm still wondering what caused this behavior though.. buying new equipment to sidestep a windows problem isn't my favorite thing

 

Let us know who it works out. This is indeed a strange problem.

 

well it's done. No more partitions
Copied to external then copied back
so.. I have a new backup drive