I was looking to free up a bit more space on my computer when I found something.

[Woolong]

The Application Data folder is 1.6 gigs. Now, taking directly from the name, I have a feeling that freely deleting large files out of this area is a fairly wise idea, even with my basic knowlege on computers. I come to you to inquire as to why this damned folder is so big.

I was looking through it after seeing it's size with JDiskReport and noticed that a decent chunk, namely 1.51 gigs of it, is in "Transcoded Files Cache" inside if the Media Player folder, which is itself inside of the Microsoft folder within Application Data. What's the reason for this size of files? I have roughly 10 gigs of music and I do use WMP due to it's functionality (Docking in the start bar FTW), but does that really explain the extra 1.5 gigs of files within my hard drive? The entire folder is filled with .tmp files, which I have no real knowledge of. I'm running out of space as it is, so a delete of this size would probably put me up to almost 9 remaining gigs.

 

[Slikkster]

Transcoded simply means changed from one format to another, like .mp3 to .wmv, etc.

If you want to be safe, just move all those files to another folder temporarily, and fire up Windows Media Player and see if everything still works, music-wise. I'd bet they are safe to delete.

 

[Woolong]

Yeah, they were. Thanks.

Another thing, kinda off topic, but about saving space: Since I don't have a DVD burner in my computer, should I get one? I've never installed anything but RAM, but I do have 2 extra frontal ports (or whatever they're called) for CD/DVD drives. I have a DVD drive and a CD-RW drive, so if I did get a DVD burner, would I need the DVD drive?

Then again, another DVD drive never hurt anyone, I guess. Thoughts?

Also.... This came about because I burn... Erm... Certain, "special" types of files on CDs as storage disks. However, since they are CDs, they don't store at all that much. So would a DVD burner do me good? If so, what kind of DVD burner would I need?

 

[Slikkster]

A DVD burner is also a reader, so to keep it simple, you could just swap out the DVD-ROM (non-burner) with the DVD-RW drive (burner). Just make sure you set the jumper on the back to either Master or Slave, depending on where it is on your IDE cable.

If your DVD-ROM is currently a "Slave", then set the jumper on the back of the new drive as Slave, etc. There's a diagram on the drive in the back to show you which pins the jumper covers in what position.

Most people (me, included) swear by the NEC brand of DVD-RW drives. The "latest and greatest" are the 3550A models. Many people (me, included) also swear by the low prices at Newegg.com for these units. They usually always have them just below $40 or so. Today is no different:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...&N=0&minPrice=&maxPrice=&Go.x=0&Go.y=0

Get the color that matches your case. OEM has only the drive and the screws to install it. Retail has the fancy box, operating manual, maybe some burning software, etc. But, of course, retail is more expensive.

See if your current burning software also burns DVD's vs. just CD's.

The "frontal ports" you referred to are called "5 1/4" Drive Bays". You will find that the CD/DVD drives are most likely held to the chassis by four screws. Some newer pc cases have easier ways of connecting the drives. You will know when you open the case how they are connected. Just follow the pattern of the other CD drive when installing the new one. Don't expect that it will be exactly the same length as your CD drive. But it will be the same width.

Here's a good follow-along how-to page on CD/DVD drive installation: http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6603_7-5118840-1.html

 

[Woolong]

Thanks a lot. Whenever my parents will let me buy parts online again (long story, credit card company sucks, to put it simply) I'll be sure to get the DVD burner and swap it. As for color, my case is grey and my drives are beige, but I have a door on the front of my case, so they don't show, meaning color doesn't really master.

And the master/slave thing... I thought that was only for Hard drives. Guess I was wrong. How does it work, anyway? I never really understood it...

 

[kitkat22]

Another thing you can do to clear up space is to run "Disk Cleanup." You can access it in two ways, from the "System Tools" folder under "Accessories" or going to "My Computer," right-clicking on your harddrive then clicking "Properties." Under the "General" tabs there is a button for "Disk Cleanup." For your purpose it is adequate.

DVD burners are great and very cheap now.
Master/Slave is basically a way to tell the computer which drive to give priority. It basically affects the speed of the transfer of files from the drive. There isn't much beyond that. For HD's make sure the hard drive with the OS is the Master. For CD/DVD drives I would put the "burner" as the master and the "reader" as slave. However, most people will use cable select, which basically gives priority to the drive that is in the right position on the IDE cable (The cable that connects the drive to the motherboard).

 

[alzan]

You could get a DVD burner and swap it with your CD/RW drive since the DVD burner will burn CD's as well.

alzan

 

[Slikkster]

Alzan, swapping the drives out was the first option I mentioned in my post above, because a burner is also a reader.

Woolong, the Master/Slave thing is really so both devices can use the same cable. They respond to different signals on different pins, and ignore commands not meant for them. Here's the best definition. It has nothing to do with speed.

"Each IDE/ATA channel can support either one or two devices. IDE/ATA devices of course each contain their own integrated controllers, and so in order to maintain order on the channel, it is necessary to have some way of differentiating between the two devices. This is done by giving each device a designation as either master or slave, and then having the controller address commands and data to either one or the other. The drive that is the target of the command responds to it, and the other one ignores the command, remaining silent.

Note that despite the hierarchical-sounding names of "master" and "slave", the master drive does not have any special status compared to the slave one; they are really equals in most respects. The slave drive doesn't rely on the master drive for its operation or anything like that, despite the names (which are poorly-chosen--in the standards the master is usually just "drive 0" and the slave "drive 1"). The only practical difference between master and slave is that the PC considers the master "first" and the slave "second" in general terms. For example, DOS/Windows will assign drive letters to the master drive before the slave drive. If you have a master and slave on the primary IDE channel and each has only one regular, primary partition, the master will be "C:" and the slave "D:". This means that the master drive (on the primary channel) is the one that is booted, and not the slave."

(above taken from http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/if/ide/conf.htm)

 

[BadThad]

Back to the original topic, do yourself a favor and install ccleaner on your system. It will get rid of the vast majority of temp/junk files on your system without causing any harm.

For the future, ANY file with the extension ".tmp" can be safely deleted on a computer.