Free Space On External Hd

[fbg40]

Hi
Have a query on "free space" on my Seagate Go-Flex 500Gb external hard drive. If I click on properties for this HD it shows (pie chart type) Used portion 432 Gb, Free space 33.4 Gb. However, I thought this seemed wrong so using a program called Tree Size and scanning the ext HD it shows that only 39.9 Gb is used. I'm using W7 Home Premium on an HP pc. I have 24.5 Gb music, 5.1 Gb Pictures, 10.2 Gb films, 36.9 Mb docs. on the Ext HD. Can anybody explain this difference please ?
Many thanks
FBG40

[Old_Geezer]

Check it from DOS (cmd).

Maybe there is a hidden directory or file taking up a massive amount of space ?

Or run disk manager and see what it says.

[Buenchico]

I've absolutely no idea why it should work, but one of the many people who've posted similar questions elsewhere on the web found that simply running the Windows disc defragmentation program on the external hard drive (even though it initially reported that the drive didn't need defragging) solved his problem.

Worth a try, perhaps?

[fbg40]

Thanks for the prompt replies folks. Will look into both suggestions.
FBG40

[fbg40]

Buenchico
Tried a defrag - made no difference ! Thanks anyway.
FBG40

[VHG]

Are you running any sort of backup program that is perhaps saving the files as "hidden" so they don't show up when you look at how many files are on the disk?

[bhg481]

Go to:

https://www.piriform.com/defraggler

and download the FREE version of the defraggler. If you use it to analyze your disc it can tell you what every block contains.

I find it's better than the Microsoft defraggler in any case.

[fbg40]

BHG
I used a defrag prog called "Anvi Ultimate Defrag" not the MS one, but will certainly give your suggestion a go. Thanks again all for your answers.
FBG40

[bhg481]

It's very good because it lets you defrag selected files OR the whole disc and lots of other options.

[fbg40]

VHG
Just found out - you were dead right !! Innumerable back ups that were hidden were the problem. Spent the morning "cleaning up" and now back to normal. Many thanks for all the replies - can always rely on Answerbank.
FBG40