Duplicate Files

[Lanny Bender]

This a particularly long dissertation of my problem, but please bear with
me.

I'm running XP Pro, SP-1. My SP-2 isn't fully functional, but that's
another problem.

I've downloaded and run the update for the Daylight Saving Time (DST)
change. When I run the update, it hangs in the "Inspecting ..." phase.
When I tried to run it the first time, I waited 20 minutes and then
canceled. I tried to run it a 2nd time. This time I waited 30 minutes
before canceling.

I was perplexed. I tried running Registry Mechanic, which found only 7
non-critical errors. I fixed these errors. I ran a disk cleaner which
deleted all the temporary crap that Windows loads for the Internet. Then
for the halibut, I ran a duplicate file cleaning program. My search
criteria for the Duplicate Cleaner program was:
1. Same content (CRC 32 Checksum).
2. Same File Name.
3. Same file size.
4. Path: C:\windows

I was dumfounded by what the program found:
- 3,447 Duplicate Groups found
- 9,594 Duplicate files found in these groups (1.65GB)

Most were dll files.

Can I delete the oldest of the duplicate files found? And will this help
the DST update?
Lanny

 

[Guest]

DLL files are the type of 'system file' that often has data written to it.
(Settings, options, config issues and other types of data not necessarily
needed permanently.) Earlier versions of windows held this data in memory. XP
and later incantations of the operating system use the "dllcache'. This is
the 'duplicate file' you are finding.

It would probably not help your DST problem, nor really 'hurt' anything to
delete most dup's, but it would certainly slow down the system for a while.

see:
Replacing files protected by the Windows File Protection :
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555486/en-us

 

[Claymore]

Hello Lanny,

Do NOT delete all these files. If you do, I can almost guarantee that
Windows will cease to function. Copies of files are in different
folders for a reason. The dllcache folder's purpose is to protect
essential operating files in case they are accidentally or purposely
deleted, or become corrupted. If one doesn't have an XP CD with the
current service pack included, the System File Checker won't work,
especially if you delete the dllcache folder. I have 2,528 files in
this folder.

I've seen a number of folks who just go ahead and delete "duplicate"
files based on what some "cleaner" says. The "cleaner" doesn't know
which files should NOT be deleted. So, unless you REALLY know what
you're doing, leave them alone.

For your update problem, see the MS Update troubleshooter here:

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport

Regards

 

[Lanny Bender]

Claymore,
Thank you. I know enough not to delete the "dllcache" folder. I do have a
Slipstreamed CD with SP-2 installed on it. So if I accidentally deleted a
file in the "dllcache" folder, I could recover the file. Thank you , too
for the support link. I had forgotten that link.
BTW, my "dllcache" folder has 3,074 files in it.
Lanny

 

[Lanny Bender]

Thanks, Mark.
I corrected my DST problem by downloading the "Tzedit.exe utility package"
from: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/914387

I would not delete the dupes from the "dllcache" folder. Other than that, I
would be most selective what I would delete.

Did you notice the BOLD Disclaimer at the bottom of the page, on the link
you referenced? Sorry if this offends you, but Microsoft doesn't seem to be
responsible for anything on this KB page.

Thanks again.
Lanny
..