Not enough free space error on nearly empty HDD
Some time ago I moved a large folder containing SQL server files from my laptop to an Iomega external 160 GB USB HDD to free space on the laptop. It went without problems. The folder consists a number of subfolders, each of which contains a .mdf file, a .ldf file, and a text file. The former two are usually 2 to 20 GB.
Recently I decided to replace this HDD with a larger, 2 TB Hitachi one. I wanted to move the SQL files from the Iomega to the Hitachi. However Windows keeps bringing up the error "Error copying file or folder: Cannot copy (filename): There is not enough free disk space." It offers to use disk cleanup, and if I try that I get offered some files to delete with 0 KB in each one. Completing this action has no effect - if I try to move the files again it repeats the result.
Some folders have been transferred complete with their large files, but the ones that have transferred are all 4 GB or less.
The Hitachi is presently 143 GB used, 1.67 TB free. The Iomega is presently 124 GB used, 36 GB free
Why is this happening, and how can I complete the transfer?
Recently I decided to replace this HDD with a larger, 2 TB Hitachi one. I wanted to move the SQL files from the Iomega to the Hitachi. However Windows keeps bringing up the error "Error copying file or folder: Cannot copy (filename): There is not enough free disk space." It offers to use disk cleanup, and if I try that I get offered some files to delete with 0 KB in each one. Completing this action has no effect - if I try to move the files again it repeats the result.
Some folders have been transferred complete with their large files, but the ones that have transferred are all 4 GB or less.
The Hitachi is presently 143 GB used, 1.67 TB free. The Iomega is presently 124 GB used, 36 GB free
Why is this happening, and how can I complete the transfer?
SOLUTION
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you can also run chkdsk on the drive- it fixes such problems
to know the file system : right click on the drive>properties and look at File system
to know the file system : right click on the drive>properties and look at File system
ASKER
Thanks, I'd missed the obvious! Yes, I now see the Hitachi is FAT32.
I'm transferring files back to the Iomega now ready for the format.
Please let me know what allocation size to use.
Why would they use FAT32 on such a large drive if it has this limitation?
I'm transferring files back to the Iomega now ready for the format.
Please let me know what allocation size to use.
Why would they use FAT32 on such a large drive if it has this limitation?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
I've followed the link and found I could use convert.exe to convert it without moving the files off the Hitachi. That seems to have worked OK.
Many thanks!
Many thanks!
not much for me here.. :-(
ASKER
Sorry nobus, I used to split points a lot when I got multiple helpers but found it reduced points sometimes to trivial levels for some.
I now try to reward the most helpful at finding the final solution and the identifier of the root cause of the problem if different, and big contributions to my understanding.
Your second comment was helpful so perhaps I should have put a small amount for that but at the time figured it was eclipsed by the others.
I do try hard to be fair! I'll remember for next time, Alzheimer's allowing!
Stuart
I now try to reward the most helpful at finding the final solution and the identifier of the root cause of the problem if different, and big contributions to my understanding.
Your second comment was helpful so perhaps I should have put a small amount for that but at the time figured it was eclipsed by the others.
I do try hard to be fair! I'll remember for next time, Alzheimer's allowing!
Stuart
hey, no problem..just kidding..
ASKER
:-)
ASKER
As the Iomega took the transfer from the laptop, I guess it isn't the problem.
If I right click the Hitachi and select Format, the default is NTFS so I guess that's the way to change the formatting. Should I use "default allocation size"?
I suppose I'll need to move the transferred stuff back again first?