Giveaway of the Day Forums » Talks

1. hamstergirl
   Member

   i accidentally downloaded an automatic windows update for XP Pro but did not install. want to delete the dl'd data, but not positive where its at. believe it to be at the following address:

   C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download\16b2c96a0c41f4dfdb4d3cc228a4f819 (file created on date in question, 6/8/07) and a 2nd file is at C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download\Install

   all i want to do is get rid of the downloaded data in question without blowing anything else up in the process...is it safe to delete all files and folders in these files only - its for XP SP2 which i already have. need the room on my hd and this is quite bulky. what about deleteing any dll or TWAIN files (in these folders, only)? Also, my Automatic Updates feature is stuck on "ready to install your last download?" and is not open to any new notifications. How to correct this? Obviously, i'm not exactly a seasoned pro - can anyone help me, i have no one else to ask!

   Thanks in advance to anyone willing to give me a hand.

   Posted 1 year ago #

2. Lee
   Moderator

   What was the update?

   Posted 1 year ago # | Login to Send PM

3. hamstergirl
   Member

   SP 2, (whatelse?!)

   Posted 1 year ago #

4. hamstergirl
   Member

   Wow Lee, that was fast!! I posted this just as i was on my way out. I'll check back in a little while when i get back. Of course its Service Pack 2, what else does everyone have a problem with. I tried the newsgroups, but i've gone bline from frustration - can'tread the damn things!

   Thanks,
   Hamstergirl

   Posted 1 year ago #

5. Lee
   Moderator

   service pack 2?

   Been out for a couple of years already.

   Why have you not installed it yet?

   Posted 1 year ago # | Login to Send PM

6. hamstergirl
   Member

   okay,i'm back...i do have it. this computer came from a neighbor who hadn't used it either (and who knows even less then i do!). It looks like it had a period of inactivity-i only got it at christmas for $150. I keep nothing sensitive on it, its strictly for my painting programs and web surfing. Other than running an IBM Displaywriter back in the 80's, this is my first pc experience. I did not mean to download this update - thats why i haven't installed it -already did that back in January. I just need to know if i have pinpointed the correct filing adress for downloads that have not yet been installed and if its safe to delete these files.

   Posted 1 year ago #

7. Lee
   Moderator

   Two reasons why people don't install sp2 is their install is either pirated or they can't be bothered.

   I suggest you install service pack 2 reboot and then get to windows updates and install
   the rest of the updates needed.

   You are not only putting yourself at risk but also your machine could become a spam zombie and put other users on the net at risk.

   Posted 1 year ago # | Login to Send PM

8. hamstergirl
   Member

   Hi Lee,
   Thank you for getting back to me so soon...but, first, my copy of XP is not pirated. It has been checked out by microsoft and passed as a licensed and legal copy several times since the machine has come under my ownership. And in my first post, and in my last, i said "i already have SP2 installed". I installed it in January. Its listed in my add/remove programs list...so its not a case of "can't be bothered" - i may be new, but i'm not that irresponsible. So i guess sometimes there can be a third reason....
   look, all i want to know is whether i can safely delete these files or not...they were an ACCIDENTAL download - a redundancy, and one thats eaten up a lot of space on my hard drive. That's all.

   Posted 1 year ago #

9. Lee
   Moderator

   Well I did read what you wrote, thats why I put 'people' as a for warning to others.

   You could always make a slipstream of sp2 and windows xp.

   Start off at a site written by a fellow I know. www.autopatcher.com

   Google 'nlite' that will help you create and integrated install disk which will make it windows xp sp2.

   As for getting more space on your hard drive, you could clean it up, compress it and even uninstall trials that have expired or software you don't need.

   Posted 1 year ago # | Login to Send PM

10. hamstergirl
    Member

    okay, now i got a game plan! Thanks, i'll give this a shot. BTW,i reread my last post and "groan"....it sounded snotty, and that is not where i was coming from... I appreciate anyone who is willing to take the time and trouble to offer a helping hand to the newbies like myself. It takes great patience to deal with the likes of us (!) and it must be frustrating seeing folks making the same mistakes, over and over, and THEN asking for help.

    I do try to be careful with what i download. That applies to GOTD as well. If i don't understand what its for, or what it does, chances are I don't need it, and it stays put. Waiting to read the comments (all of them, which i do, every day) is another deciding factor. So far, this has worked for me. I would like to try a cleaner, but frankly,.....i'm scared! The problem with installing/cleaning/deleting/compressing etc is, well.....any problems and I'm sunk! I have no tech oriented friends, and i can't afford hired professionals and lets face it - i don't know enough to be mucking around with the registry and such. And after what has recently happened to some of the folks (like Swan) with recent cleaning utilities....its made me a little trigger shy. That being said, people all have spoken well of ccleaner, so maybe that's my next project, after i fix this one, that is!

    Again Lee, thank you. I'll let you know how it works out.

    Hamstergirl

    Posted 1 year ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.