What are all these files in my external hard drive?

[jyeh74]

When I open my external hard drive via "my computer", I see folders I created, both hidden and un hidden.

But when I use Nero express to add files and I go to my external, I see these files I have never seen before:

$RECYCLE.BIN
folder - System Volume Information
autorun.inf
Thumbs.db
Recycled

I dont know why there are two recycle bins. Why can't I see these from the regular windows prompt?

[Soopafresh]

Most of those files/folders are normal system files, except for Autorun.inf . You've possibly got a worm/virus.

Rename or delete autorun.inf and see if gets automatically recreated a few seconds later. If it recreates itself, then you're infected

See if you've got a folder called Recycler on the root of that drive as well.

[T-Fish]

dont delete it !

autorun.inf is only adding the icon to the drive.
you can open it with notepad and see what it does.

the rest are system files and they are hidden in your windows explorer because you have the folder options set that way.

[jagabo]

If you want Exporer to show those files disable the "Hide protected operating system files" option.

You have two recycle bins because windows makes one and you have some other software installed that maintains its own recyle bin -- Norton or some such.

Thumbs.db is the thumbnail cache that Windows creates when in thumbnail view.

System Volume Information contains System Restore data.

[jyeh74]

How do I display these folders? In folder options, I select to have all hidden folders to display, but I do not see them. The only time I see them is when I use Nero for some reason.

[TJohns]

How do I display these folders? In folder options, I select to have all hidden folders to display, but I do not see them. The only time I see them is when I use Nero for some reason.

Try turning OFF the "Hide protected system files" option as well