I am using the "Free Space" disk file compression program from Mijenix Corporation. It works well, allowing me to compress files and save disk space while also allowing full functional access without requiring manual decompression. All seemed well, that is, until I decided to delete a large folder containing temporary files and two smaller folders also with files, all compressed with Free Space. The delete seemed to work, I emptied the Trash folder after the delete, but none of the space occupied by the deleted files was returned to my system. The over 200Meg I expected to free up is now lost. After considerable investigation, in fact over 300Meg of my 1.6Gig has been lost through that and previous delete operations, apparently. I have since run the cleanup programs included with Free Space, as well as Scandisk, and Defrag; none report any problems. It is only when I run the old DOS CHKDSK function that any indication of the lost space is identified. CHKDSK reports over 10K lost allocation units and that 320+Meg could be freed. Unfortunately, when I attempt to execute CHKDSK/F to free up the lost space, CHKDSK issues an error that it is limited by DOS to 67 (I think) character path names and I must move all files in longer paths before CHKDSK can perform the FIX operation. This is an alternative I have not yet pursued because of the massive effort it will entail, and with no particular assurance of success. I have conveyed this problem to the Free Space support people and gotten an expression of their surprise this could happen, but not a clue as to how to go about correcting it. I continue to await further word from them, but not expectantly. My system is desperately low on disk space as it is, but this problem is pushing it into failure mode. Does anyone have any suggestions how this lost space can be recovered? Please note, to me reformatting the disk is not considered a solution any more than killing the patient a cure. It's not even a good last resort. Please don't tell me that's the only way. W. Curt Deegan PCSOFT: http://nospin.com or [log in to unmask]