Selectively deleting backups off Seagate external

[xoperzinger]

Seagate was making several backups each day and i want to delete all but the last one for each day. Every time I delete dozen files or so, more space is USED! I want to FREE UP space, not use it up! How do I SELECTIVELY delete backups???? Without decreasing the available space? Why isn't deletion normal?

 

[seagate_surfer]

What backup software are you using? If you're using Seagate Dashboard, then you should be able to access the specific backups/delete them using Windows Explorer. The process is outlined step-by-step in our Knowledge Base here. You can also change backups to occur less frequently to make them take up less space.

If you feel this isn't resolving the problem or isn't working that way for you, then you could always get in touch directly with Seagate Support here.

 

[xoperzinger]

That was what I did to begin with. After deleting a number of files, to my horror I saw that every time I deleted one the available space went DOWN! Files are "gone" but are now taking up twice as much space as before! Arghhhh!

This was through Windows Explorer.

Was told to delete the Dashboard Which created more problems. One that is not resolved is a directory that cannot be deleted because it is not empty. Through Windows Explorer, I changed "permissions" and deleted that file, even that entire backup! But STILL the same error message comes up!

Not only are all the visible backups using up gigs but also all those that I deleted are using TWICE the gigs!

I am now into Day 5 of this and have a few other things to do with my life!

And yes, I am now in touch with their support staff.

 

[fryerlawrence]

That was what I did to begin with. After deleting a number of files, to my horror I saw that every time I deleted one the available space went DOWN! Files are "gone" but are now taking up twice as much space as before! Arghhhh!

This was through Windows Explorer.

Was told to delete the Dashboard Which created more problems. One that is not resolved is a directory that cannot be deleted because it is not empty. Through Windows Explorer, I changed "permissions" and deleted that file, even that entire backup! But STILL the same error message comes up!

Not only are all the visible backups using up gigs but also all those that I deleted are using TWICE the gigs!

I am now into Day 5 of this and have a few other things to do with my life!

And yes, I am now in touch with their support staff.

Hey xoperzinger, did you ever get an answer back from Seagate?

I am currently in the process of perhaps trying to delete some files off of my 1TB Backup Plus Portable Drive and wanted to see what they said before going further. I realize that you might have a different brand/model n stuff but I would imagine that their processes are about the same for each thing.

Thanks,
fryerlawrence

However I may(?)[Not 100% for sure yet] have answered my own question. I did some more digging and found this from a LaCie website (LaCie is now Seagate? or vice versa lol? I did hear that before, I think the companies did merge at some point.

When a file is deleted, the space used on the disk is not reclaimed until the file is truly erased. The trash (recycle bin on Windows) is actually a hidden folder located in each hard drive. To completely delete the file, another step must be performed.

Macintosh:

Files, when deleted, are sent to the "Trash". To remove the file and reclaim the space, click the trash icon. A Finder menu will appear with an "erase" button in the upper right. Click that button to erase everything in the trash.


Windows:

Files are sent to the "Recycle Bin" when they are deleted from a Windows machine. To empty this folder and reclaim the space, right-click its icon, and left-click "Empty Recycle Bin" on the menu that appears.