Dropbox just filled its self, warnings I have deleted files

[Alan500]

I have been a dropbox user for a number of years and it is great , I have recently started receiving messages that I have deleted lots of files  (which isnt the case) , I have more recently formated my PC and reinstalled Dropbox it has just filled the Dropbox it was around 25% full I dont know how to stop this  and it is now full but I am unsure why 

Can anyone help

[Lusil]

Hi there @Alan500, thanks for checking in with us. 

Could it be that you moved some files from one folder to another in your Dropbox account? 

Could you check your events page and let me know what it reports in relation to the additions and deletions? 

Keep me posted!

[Alan500]

Good Evening Lusil 

Thankyou for your reply , just to explain a little better 

I have 3 devices with Dropbox  an Imac a Macbook & and an Iphone

I had to format the Imac (an OS Problem) but even so over the last week or so I have received one or two emails saying I have deleted a lot of files which I wasnt aware of and still dont think I had 

After doing a clean install and downloading fresh applications , I manually dragged folders like Documents over from time machine avoiding any  corruptions

This morning I noticed my Dropbox had 90gb of data  and was full yet previously I was using around 5gb with plenty of room left over and I couldnt see what was taking up the space,  Could it have tried to back up my entire hard drive  when I first reinstalled  Dropbox manually after the original format t in the installation settings?

At a loss as to what to do I started to delete files in my Dropbox  files & folders online,  knowing I have an earlier back up from time machine of around 5gb to add back into the folder (if thats possible) , I deleted Dropbox off my Iphone  and disconected the sync on my Macbook as that has a 5gb copy (uncorrupted as it hasnt been turned on during all of this)

I have now reformatted the Imac again and done a clean install with just Dropbox to add, can you advise as to the best approach to reinstall Dropbox and then re sync the files (and which files you think I should use?)

• Mac Book - Exsiting uncorrupted  version  disconnected from sync at present
• Imac - Reformatted not yet reinstalled Drop Box but I have an uncorrupted folder version in time machine or will it sync across from  the mac book
• Iphone - Just need to reinstall the App once the right method is applied and expect it to sync once the chosen dropbox version is applied
• Currently the online drop box is pretty much empty

Any help & advice would be appreciated, I really rate drop box but think I have opened a tin of worms 

Alan

[Jay · Accepted solution]

Hi @Alan500, it sounds like you might have enabled the automatic computer backup feature in the Dropbox desktop application when you installed it, which was why the account went overquota.

Since you have a copy of the original files on the MacBook, I'd personally follow these steps:

1. Move those files to another location on the hard drive, outside of the Dropbox folder.
2. Allow the MacBook to sync. It will most likely be as empty as the Dropbox site now.
3. Wait for the Dropbox icon to show the sync is up to date
4. Drag the files back into the Dropbox folder from where you moved it previously.
5. Give the app time to sync the files to the site.
6. When the app shows as being up to date, install the Dropbox desktop application on the iMac. 
7. Allow that device time to download the files via the sync, and don't copy them from Time Machine.

Let me know how it goes!

[Alan500]

Jay 

You are a star, it worked just like you said 

I definatley think it  had backed up the Docs on my hard drive  and as a result filled my available space 

Its a good job I copied the Dropbox folders  like you said as it wiped the folder during sync 

I then put the Documents back into my Dropboc folder and let it sync

Dropbox is an excellent product  thansk for your help 

Alan

[Jay]

I'm happy to hear that the sync went well for you, @Alan500! Let me know if you need nay further assistance.

Enjoy the remainder of your week!