Problem using x264cli --output :NUL

[Japhsoncross]

i use this parameter to save hdd space. the output file is gonna be about 2G, and i got only 3.3G free space on d:, so i made this script:
x264 --keyint 240 --min-keyint 1 --ref 8 --bframes 3 --b-pyramid -f -3 --ipratio 1.1 --pbratio 1.1 --me dia --subme 1 --analyse all --8x8dct --weightb --bitrate 1600 --pass 1 --stats "test.log" --output :NUL "1.avs" --progress

x264 --keyint 240 --min-keyint 1 --ref 8 --bframes 3 --b-pyramid -f -3 --ipratio 1.1 --pbratio 1.1 --me umh --merange 16 --subme 6 --analyse all --8x8dct --weightb --bitrate 1600 --pass 2 --stats "test.log" --output "x264 new ballanced2-3.mp4" "1.avs" --progress

the next day when i turn on my mornitor, windows tells me d: is running out of space, pass2 file got only 1.3G large. i saw a file called "d:\working_path:NUL:$DATA" and it's about 2G large, i think it must be the 1st pass file, but i can't delete it. How can i found my Hdd space back?

[berrinam]

1) Have you tried rebooting.

2) Are you aware that you should use --output NUL not --output :NUL ?

[Japhsoncross]

thanks
1) i tried rebooting, and the lost space doesn't come back.
2) i don't remember how and where i knew this parameter... :(

[berrinam]

1)Rebooting normally frees up files that have 'access denied' error messages, so that you can delete them (it doesn't automatically delete them, though). Alternatively, you could try overwriting these files with a blank notepad file (ie, open notepad, then save as... onto the first pass file. Mind you, I am surprised that you could create a file with colons as part of the name.

[Doom9]

1) i tried rebooting, and the lost space doesn't come back.It won't, but you should then be able to delete the file in question.

By the way, --merange 16 is a default value so you don't have to specify it. And there is at least one GUI out there that would've prevented you from making the mistake you made with the commandline ;)

[Sharktooth]

if there's a colon in the file name you cant delete it from explorer.
open a command prompt and delete the file using the file name, but replacing the colon with a "?" (without quotes)