Duplicate D & S files

[tiger-rick]

Be gently, this my first time to submit a question!

I am operating an XP home, sp2 computer. Have two HDD's.

I have had the OS reloaded (repair) recently. I changed a user name
among other things but unsure if the multiple D & S files I wil
mention below were that way right after the OS reload.

My Documents & Settings folder has duplicate files; but the "extra
file in most of the listings has an extension. e.g.: 1) Administrato
folder & 2) Administrator (.)'name
of computer’ folder. The "extra" folders are taking up a considerabl
amount of HDD space & appear to be slowing things down. I don’t thin
any D & S files are corrupt.

I think I need to transfer all the contents of the "extra" folder(s
elsewhere except for three files: ntuser.dat, ntuser.dat.log
ntuser.ini. Then delete the “extra” folder. I feel this could b
disasterous if not done correctly.

Which folder(s) would I want to delete, the ones with name only or th
ones with the extensions? Besides the extensions with the compute
name, there are two others: 'X.windows'; 'X.nt authority'.

Any thoughts?

In advance: Thank You

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Be gently, this my first time to submit a question!

I am operating an XP home, sp2 computer. Have two HDD's.

I have had the OS reloaded (repair) recently. I changed a user
name, among other things but unsure if the multiple D & S files I
will mention below were that way right after the OS reload.

My Documents & Settings folder has duplicate files; but the "extra"
file in most of the listings has an extension. e.g.: 1)
Administrator folder & 2) Administrator (.)'name
of computer’ folder. The "extra" folders are taking up a
considerable amount of HDD space & appear to be slowing things
down. I don’t think any D & S files are corrupt.

I think I need to transfer all the contents of the "extra" folder(s)
elsewhere except for three files: ntuser.dat, ntuser.dat.log &
ntuser.ini. Then delete the “extra” folder. I feel this could be
disasterous if not done correctly.

Which folder(s) would I want to delete, the ones with name only or
the ones with the extensions? Besides the extensions with the
computer name, there are two others: 'X.windows'; 'X.nt authority'.

Any thoughts?

In advance: Thank You.

The repair cause the 'duplication'.

What is a 'considerable amount of HDD space'? I consider anything over
100GB considerable on my systems... What's your number?

It is *highly unlikely* (unless you are actually below 10-15% free space on
the drive) these directories are causing any sort of slow down. Files - in
general - do nothing but sit there. If you have plenty of space and those
files are never accessed - they cannot be doing much - as they are never
touched.

These older directories (likely the ones **without** the .name) are unused.
Test it. Rename one of them to "OLD_original-name" and reboot. Log in as
all of your users. If no new directories get created - these directories
are unused. To further quell your concern - after the test for each
directory - move that directory to some external (perhaps permanent - like
CD/DVD) area. Then it is off the machine and you have a backup. More than
likely *nothing* will come about just getting rid of them - as long as you
have all the files/favorites/contacts/email out of them you desire to have
backed up.

 

[tiger-rick]

Shenan:
Thanks for the reply.
You are right about the disk space. I have 120 G plus free & I coul
just ignore these “extra folders” except some are being used.

I ran a program called SIDList (written by an MVP). It shows th
particulars of all the user accounts. Two of these accounts show th
“extra” folders: 1) Administrator path = C:\D & S\Administrator.WINX
and 2) Richard path = C:\D & S\Richard.WINXP.

These readings are confirmed by running CMD /K SET. The other fil
being used is one of the few WITHOUT a second “extra” file tha
includes an extension.

With reference to your renaming scheme: you say to rename the file
reboot and “login as all of your users”. I’m afraid I do not quit
understand logging in as all users. Could you elaborate? [I hope I'v
entered the reply in the correct place !]