Serious question about Disk Cleanup: Straight answers?

Question

Hi, All, Sorry about the 'frustrated' tone of this post, but I am looking for info about a simple question that I am sure lots of folks have wondered about, but I can't locate an answer. This is the Dell Forum, after all, so I would expect useful information to be available here, but so far I haven't seen a straight answer! I don't feel that I'm asking a dumb question, so PLEASE bear with me... I have just completed a format/reinstallation of XP Pro on my Inspiron 5150. I have updated the OS on Microsoft Updates, Installed and configured all my software, and tweaked the system the way I like it. Everything is working great! I intend to use this laptop for digital music recording, and would like to reclaim as much hard disk space as I can. SO... I am interested in deleting any UNNECESSARY setup files and folders. I know that XP and various programs can leave backup and setup files on the disk, I would assume so that one can 'roll back' or uninstall drivers and programs. Makes sense, but I'm pretty satisfied with the way the system is working and have no need to roll anything back at this point. I DO understand the usefulness of the I386 folder and the MSO Microsoft Office setup files, and I plan to leave those alone. l also have had no problem removing the (80+!) Win XP Hotfix folders (left over from Microsoft Updates) and removing their links in Add/Remove programs. I am SPECIFICALLY interested here in removing any DELL backup or installation files that are not needed for normal operation. My question: There are a number of what appear to be Dell backup or installation folders on my system. Some of the folders are in the C:\ root directory, but some are located in the Program Files directory, 'mixed in' with folders I KNOW are actual program directories. HERE are the four folders I would like to be able to delete, if I won't disable anything. (Remember, assume I'm not interested in being able to uninstall or roll back any drivers or programs.) C:\DRIVERS (31MB) (Folder looks to me like it contains driver setup files for Audio, Docking, Modem, Network, etc. Are these files important for system operation, or just for initial setup or future reinstalls?) C:\Program Files\Dell\Notebook System Software (1.1MB) (Folder contains 24 subfolders, names like 'Q332179_WXP_SP2_x86_ARA'. Each subfolder contains three files, gv3.sys, gv3qfe.cat and qfe.inf. What ARE these folders/files, and are they used in system operation, just for setup, or for future device setup?) C:\Program Files\Dell Computer Corporation\Notebook System Software (Contents identical to the above folder. Are either or BOTH necessary, and If one may be removed, which one?) C:\Program Files\Dell Computer Corporation\Mobile Pentium 4 Hyperthreading Driver (1MB) (This folder sounds serious! Contains 24 subfolders, names like ARA, CHS, CHT, etc. Each subfolder contains three files, intelppm.sys, ippmqfe.cat and ippmqfe.inf. What are these folders/files for? THANKS for bearing with me, and for any advice! Someone here must know about this stuff. (I obviously know just enough to be dangerous, but after 'experiences' over the years, I am wise enough to not just 'try things' anymore! Ken

jmwills · Answer

Serious answer:  From the files you listed, you would regain a whopping 50 mb or so of space.  Not worth the effort.   The better thing to do would be delete the uninstall files for your updates.

spampup · Answer

Thanks for the reply, jmwills, but...   Your answer is the exact thing I was referring to in my original post!   I KNOW I will not recover gobs of hard drive space by deleting 50MB worth of files. I am just trying to LEARN something here!     WHERE can someone go for info about what specific proprietary Dell files do, and whether those files are safe to delete?     I've already tried Google and I've tried previous posts here (ignored).     The info/answers  I've seen so far can be divided into three categories:     1) Along the lines of 'Leave the files alone, they don't take up much room...'   2) Info readily available on the net/newsgroups, most of which either refers to the usual i386 XP setup files or Office setup files, etc. Not much about Dell-specific folders. If I could find the info using Google I wouldn't be posting these 'stupid' questions here!!   3) Answers that suggest trying things that I've clearly stated in my post that I have tried/done (or know) already!     A question like this is definitely too trivial to call Tech Support about, and it is not really 'important' at all. I just simply want to KNOW!   I had hoped that on a forum like this there would be experienced hobbyists/enthusiasts/experts willing to share knowledge.   Instead I run into attitude, like 'Don't mess with that, boy, you'll hurt yourself!'.   Again, I'm sorry to be venting like this, but like I said, I would really like to know why a folder like C:\Program Files\Dell\Notebook System Software is present, and whar it is for.   They don't include that info in the manual ;)   Thanks again!   Ken

jmwills · Answer

This will start an argument wiht most folks, but the notebook system software is not needed for any Dell laptop i have ever loaded inlcuded the one I am one now.   If yo search the forum there is a program that a few people recommend called the Dell Decombobulator or something close to that, perosnally I don't need to uninstall that garbage becasue I never install it in the first place.   ChipSet>Video>Audio>Ethernet>Wireless and possible something like Media Direct is all that is needed to get the system up and running,

msgale · Answer

jmwillis, what you say is absolutely true.  Both my notebooks, an Inspiron 5000 (bought 2000) and a Latitude D820 (bought 2007) have been loaded from from retail versions of Windows 2K, Windows XP Pro, and Vista Ultimate.  Never had to load any Dell software.  Having said that, I agree with you, removing the questionable files is unnecessary task, and could be counter productive.  To paraphrase J. P. Morgan, if you have to ask the question you may not be able to understand the answer.

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Serious question about Disk Cleanup: Straight answers?

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