16GB flash drive files deleted but still full?

[MiniD3]

Hi Guys
Friend has a MBA, has been using a San disc 16GB for images
Deleted all files on the above flash drive but its still saying its full?
Is the 16GB flash flash drive corrupt? Or some other reason?

 

[nnoble]

You have probably already done this but just in case; have you emptied the trash after deleting the images?

 

[MiniD3]

You have probably already done this but just in case; have you emptied the trash after deleting the images?

I'll be back.......just checking at my end

 

[Scotty45]

Hi guys. I'm the one who Gary was enquiring for.
There seems to be a difference between deleting files, as opposed to erasing files. After I had deleted the files from the flash drive, the drive info stated that the drive was still full. I have since gone through the process of erasing the info on the flash drive, even though no files could be seen. It now shows as empty. Problem solved, & another lesson learned.
Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated.......Scotty.

 

[Weaselboy]

Hi guys. I'm the one who Gary was enquiring for.
There seems to be a difference between deleting files, as opposed to erasing files. After I had deleted the files from the flash drive, the drive info stated that the drive was still full. I have since gone through the process of erasing the info on the flash drive, even though no files could be seen. It now shows as empty. Problem solved, & another lesson learned.
Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated.......Scotty.

Just to clarify a bit... there is a hidden trash folder on external drives like this, so when you delete a file it just gets moved to the trash and still uses the disk space. You need to empty the trash and then the space will be freed up. There is no need to reformat (erase) the drive.

 

[Scotty45]

Just to clarify a bit... there is a hidden trash folder on external drives like this, so when you delete a file it just gets moved to the trash and still uses the disk space. You need to empty the trash and then the space will be freed up. There is no need to reformat (erase) the drive.

Ok, thanks for that info. But if the trash folder is hidden, then how do I find it?.......Scotty.

 

[Weaselboy]

Ok, thanks for that info. But if the trash folder is hidden, then how do I find it?.......Scotty.

You don't need to. Just empty the trash can on the mac the drive is attached to and it will clear out that folder. What is confusing is the trash can icon on the Dock does not show there is trash even though there is.

 

[Scotty45]

Got it, thanks. I did empty my trash, but it was after i'd removed the flash drive from the computer. Which explains why the flash drive retained the files. I'll know next time. Thanks again.....Scotty.