Nothing on USB but saying there is no space! What's going on ....

[PiperG]

I have just deleted all the files that were on my USB, wanting to upload a whole lot more (photos), but it is saying there is no space - how can this be?? Anyone out there able to help a total luddite? There are clearly 0 items on there, but it's saying that 122.7 MB are being used, with only 118 KB free. Can anyone enlighten me on how to get rid of this mystery 122.7 MB??? Many thanks!

try unmounting it and remounting it.

I get this on linux a lot and have to format the disk again sometimes.

Not sure I know how to do it in windows. - try this www.quickonlinetips.com/archives/2005/08/fix-format-usb-flash-drives/

Thanks throckenholt - think I may just have to get hold of another USB; got 2 small ones tearing around and this is all looking too complicated! God I wish I understood all this stuff more

you need to reformat
I've never used a usb only large external hard drives, but are the settings? or system preferences that allow you to reformat?
Did you actually empty the trash btw?

Nope JinglesBells I didn't empty trash - should I??

yes, that's your problem.
If you don't empty the trash, the hard drive just thinks the info has been moved, not gone.
plug it back into the same computer, empty the trashcan and you'll get your free space.

Are you on a Mac or a PC?

On a Mac if you delete something on a stick then it goes into a trash folder on that stick. So it's still there and still taking up the space.

You can plug the stick into a Mac and empty the trash and it will give the space back.

On a PC, IIRC, when you delete something it moves the file to the recycle on your computer so the space should appear back on the stick even if you don't empty the recycle bin.

Yes, BP is correct wrt Windows, insofar as items in the 'Recycle bin' get emptied when the space is needed (unless they're considered too big to fit, and when deleted they've gone 'forever').