What's with the I386 directory on my Dimension 4550?

[thawolfman]

It's got just under a gig worth of stuff in it, and I don't know if it's like a system restore directory or what?

Any ideas?



thx
-ben-

 

[sandorski]

I'm not sure what it is specifically, but it's some kind of System directory, I think it might have something to do with Legacy Devices and 16 bit compatibility.

 

[tennesota]

Someone else can probably provide a more 'in-depth' explanation but a good short answer is i386 is a "source folder".

 

[BlueWeasel]

As far as I can tell, Dell simply puts the I386 directory found on your Windows XP CD onto your HD. This makes it easier if you need any of the setup/driver files.

I am not sure, but do you get an original WinXP CDfrom Dell, or a modified version that will only let you "restore" the system to its initial state. That may be the reason why Dell puts the I386 directory onto the HD.

Either way, it doesn't appear to be tied into the operating system. We just got 2 new Dell 4600 desktops at work, and I have moved the I386 directory off of the C: partition and it works just fine.

 

[thawolfman]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
As far as I can tell, Dell simply puts the I386 directory found on your Windows XP CD onto your HD. This makes it easier if you need any of the setup/driver files.

I am not sure, but do you get an original WinXP CDfrom Dell, or a modified version that will only let you "restore" the system to its initial state. That may be the reason why Dell puts the I386 directory onto the HD.

Either way, it doesn't appear to be tied into the operating system. We just got 2 new Dell 4600 desktops at work, and I have moved the I386 directory off of the C: partition and it works just fine.

Sweet, looks like I can trash it! :Q

I'm probably gonna end up formatting soon anyways, but still...thanks!