How to clear out a pseudo Systems Folder

[Teflon]

XP Pro SP3

When this machine was new (back in 2004), the included IBM Rapid
Restore Ultra utility created a System Folder (listed under My
Computer) to store backups. At some past time, the RRU utility was
removed from this machine, but the backup folder remains. The original
two backup files are still in the folder. I have tried without
success to remove this folder, or its contents, but right clicking it
just gets the option to Expand. No Properties button or anything
else, on it, nor on any of the files inside.

Theoretically, I could reinstall RRU and use it to remove this folder,
or at least, the files within. Unfortunately, the RRU utility is
obsolete and no longer available from IBM / Lenovo. Lenovo's
replacement backup utility is not compatible with the RRU files.
Tried to install it, but the installation failed, saying RRU was still
installed. I've done extensive searches to confirm it isn't, however,
there may be some vestiges of it remaining deep in the registry.

So, my dilemma is, how do I remove this folder? Or, how do I delete
the files in this folder? I believe it is occupying about 5 GB's of
HD space, which I would like to free up.

Could not find it in DOS, but then, maybe I wasn't looking for the
right thing, or in the right place.

The folders name is Single File Restore. When I right click on My
Computer and then click on Properties, this folder is listed as a
System Folder.

Any suggestions on how I could proceed would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Jean Rosenfeld]

Try Unlocker

http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/#download

BTW for some reason IE 8 is reporting ccollombfree.fr as unsafe. However the
download link to Unlocker is perfectly safe, as is unlocker irself. If you
get that message, temporarly disable smart filter.

 

[Teflon]

Try Unlocker

Thanks Jean,

I tried 'Unlocker', but it didn't work on the folder, nor any files in
the folder. Expanded the folder and started at the bottom of the file
tree, but no luck. That exercise did reveal that the original backup
data is about all gone. Most of the files are empty, there are
several that have up to 10KB, the rest are in the 1-2KB range.
Obviously not a full backup.

Stil would like to remove it. Wonder if anybody knows, if I removed
the reference to that folder, Single File Restore, in the registry,
would that remove the folder and its files? If so, what would happen
to the residual data in those files?

Thanks for giving this your consideration.

 

[John John - MVP]

XP Pro SP3

When this machine was new (back in 2004), the included IBM Rapid
Restore Ultra utility created a System Folder (listed under My
Computer) to store backups. At some past time, the RRU utility was
removed from this machine, but the backup folder remains. The original
two backup files are still in the folder. I have tried without
success to remove this folder, or its contents, but right clicking it
just gets the option to Expand. No Properties button or anything
else, on it, nor on any of the files inside.

Theoretically, I could reinstall RRU and use it to remove this folder,
or at least, the files within. Unfortunately, the RRU utility is
obsolete and no longer available from IBM / Lenovo. Lenovo's
replacement backup utility is not compatible with the RRU files.
Tried to install it, but the installation failed, saying RRU was still
installed. I've done extensive searches to confirm it isn't, however,
there may be some vestiges of it remaining deep in the registry.

So, my dilemma is, how do I remove this folder? Or, how do I delete
the files in this folder? I believe it is occupying about 5 GB's of
HD space, which I would like to free up.

Could not find it in DOS, but then, maybe I wasn't looking for the
right thing, or in the right place.

The folders name is Single File Restore. When I right click on My
Computer and then click on Properties, this folder is listed as a
System Folder.

Any suggestions on how I could proceed would be greatly appreciated.

These Rapid Restore points are stored on a hidden service partition,
what you are seeing in the Windows Explorer GUI interface is just a
symbolic link of sorts to the files on the hidden service partition.
I'm not sure which mechanism the Rapid Restore utility uses to link to
the hidden partition.

Enter diskmgmt.msc in the Start menu Run box to launch the Disk
Management tool and see if you can see this partition. I don't think
that you will be able to delete the partition with the Disk Management
tool but at least you will be able to determine if there is (are) hidden
service partition(s) on your disk. You will most likely have to
reinstall the Rapid Restore utility to remove the service partition or
you will have to rely on other third party disk partitioning tools.

John

 

[Jim]

With Unlocker , try " delete on reboot " .

Thanks Jean,

I tried 'Unlocker', but it didn't work on the folder, nor any files in
the folder. Expanded the folder and started at the bottom of the file
tree, but no luck. That exercise did reveal that the original backup
data is about all gone. Most of the files are empty, there are
several that have up to 10KB, the rest are in the 1-2KB range.
Obviously not a full backup.

Stil would like to remove it. Wonder if anybody knows, if I removed
the reference to that folder, Single File Restore, in the registry,
would that remove the folder and its files? If so, what would happen
to the residual data in those files?

Thanks for giving this your consideration.

 

[Teflon]

These Rapid Restore points are stored on a hidden service partition,
what you are seeing in the Windows Explorer GUI interface is just a
symbolic link of sorts to the files on the hidden service partition.

That, I now understand.

Enter  diskmgmt.msc  in the Start menu Run box to launch the Disk
Management tool and see if you can see this partition.  I don't think
that you will be able to delete the partition with the Disk Management
tool but at least you will be able to determine if there is (are) hidden
service partition(s) on your disk.

I saw the Service partition, and I deleted it. And by deleting it,
the content of the pseudo System folder was deleted, HOWEVER, the
folder's file tree remains standing. Few leaves (data), but still
standing.

Now, to get rid of the tree................that's where I need some
more help.

 

[John John - MVP]

That, I now understand.


I saw the Service partition, and I deleted it. And by deleting it,
the content of the pseudo System folder was deleted, HOWEVER, the
folder's file tree remains standing. Few leaves (data), but still
standing.

Now, to get rid of the tree................that's where I need some
more help.

What *exact* error message are you receiving when you try to delete the
folder? Which Windows XP version are you using, XP Home or XP Pro?

Rapid Restore is BIOS/Firmware driven, so as I said earlier I am not
exactly sure how it links to the service partition and how this folder
is created, the folks at IBM have all kinds of tricks up their sleeves!

John

 

[Teflon]

What *exact* error message are you receiving when you try to delete the

folder?  

No error messages.

I right click on the folder (or any file within), and the context menu
just has 'Expand' as an option.

I highlight the folder (or any file within) click the 'Delete' key -
nothing.

Which Windows XP version are you using, XP Home or XP Pro?

XP Pro

Rapid Restore is BIOS/Firmware driven, so as I said earlier I am not
exactly sure how it links to the service partition and how this folder
is created, the folks at IBM have all kinds of tricks up their sleeves!

In this, and a lot of other areas, to be sure.

Thanks for your time.

 

[John John - MVP]

No error messages.

I right click on the folder (or any file within), and the context menu
just has 'Expand' as an option.

I highlight the folder (or any file within) click the 'Delete' key -
nothing.


XP Pro


In this, and a lot of other areas, to be sure.

Thanks for your time.

Is the rmvmpc.exe file still present on your computer? If yes try
running it and see if it can properly remove it.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-53434

John

 

[Teflon]

Is the rmvmpc.exe file still present on your computer?  If yes try
running it and see if it can properly remove it.

It was there, I ran it, the Folder and file tree plus the XPoint
folder in Program Files are gone. You are a genius.

I have been to every kind of Lenovo, ThinkPad forum I could find, and
no one pointed me to that file.

Thank you so very much.

Several more questions, if I may, to clear up a little confusion. The
HDD installed in this TP is listed at 30GB. The Primary (and only)
partition shown in Disk Management is 24.66GB. There is no
unallocated space.

Since I deleted the hidden Service partition and assigned the
unallocated space to C:, I thought the Primary C: partition size would
now be close to the 30GB spec. I know there is the translation factor
to account for how the drive mfgr specifies disk size versus the rest
of the world, but shouldn't the Primary partition be close to 30GB?

If not, what is occupying that 5.34GB and why can't I see it in Disk
Management?

Thanks again for your expertise and help.

 

[John John - MVP]

It was there, I ran it, the Folder and file tree plus the XPoint
folder in Program Files are gone. You are a genius.

I have been to every kind of Lenovo, ThinkPad forum I could find, and
no one pointed me to that file.

Thank you so very much.

You're welcome.

Several more questions, if I may, to clear up a little confusion. The
HDD installed in this TP is listed at 30GB. The Primary (and only)
partition shown in Disk Management is 24.66GB. There is no
unallocated space.

Since I deleted the hidden Service partition and assigned the
unallocated space to C:, I thought the Primary C: partition size would
now be close to the 30GB spec. I know there is the translation factor
to account for how the drive mfgr specifies disk size versus the rest
of the world, but shouldn't the Primary partition be close to 30GB?

If not, what is occupying that 5.34GB and why can't I see it in Disk
Management?

Due to the difference in Binary/Digital measurements a 30GB drive should
report about 27.94GB. http://www.directron.com/faqwd.html#03

I'm guessing that there might yet still be another hidden service
partition on the drive. Do you have an F11 restore function when you
boot the computer? This F11 function relies on a different partition
than the Rapid Restore utility, this (F11) is a function that restores
the computer to factory conditions.

Boot the computer with the BootItNG trial version and see what it
reports. You don't need to install BootItNG, just hit cancel when asked
to install and the tool will proceed to a screen where you can select
the Partition Work tool.

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/bootit-next-generation.htm

John

 

[Teflon]

I'm guessing that there might yet still be another hidden service
partition on the drive.  Do you have an F11 restore function when you
boot the computer?  This F11 function relies on a different partition
than the Rapid Restore utility, this (F11) is a function that restores
the computer to factory conditions.

It's a wonder there's any room left on the drive, once the vendor gets
through hiding all those things ;-)

Boot the computer with the BootItNG trial version and see what it
reports.  You don't need to install BootItNG, just hit cancel when asked
to install and the tool will proceed to a screen where you can select
the Partition Work tool.

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/bootit-next-generation.htm

Thanks, I will give that a try. Do I have to burn a BootItNg CD and
boot from it?