Question about Time machine backup!

[vjicecool]

Hey Folks
I have a macbook pro and i use my external hard drive as a time machine backup. so i deleted all my backup's expect one which i figured it out the size is 45 GB, My total external hard drive size is 160 GB. now when i see that i have only 6gb free, so i am wondering where did the rest of the memory
Can any one help?

 

[DustinT]

I'm not entirely sure what to tell you. Perhaps you figured the sizes incorrectly? Or, the older backups are not yet deleted.

Personally, I'd advise against using your backup drive for anything else. You can do it but you run a little more risk of data loss. If you are careful it would be ok but considering that those external drives are so inexpensive I'd just buy another one.

 

[Just "Vinnie"]

Don't know how you deleted your backups but I don't think just removing folders will free up space as *I think* Time Machine uses a lot of aliases that reference the real file located elsewhere. (i.e., each time machine folder does not contain a byte-for-byte copy of your mac's hard drive).

I think you just hosed Time Machine's backup scheme.