Unknown files

[philkiwi]

I am running Windows 98SE and have found several files in my Windows folder. They are _detpm.1 to _detmp.14 and the type is shown as 1File to 14File respectively. The creation dates, however, do not follow in the same chronological sequence, higher file suffixes being created earlier than lower ones, no recognisable pattern to it at all. Any ideas what these files are and whether they can be safely deleted?

[bigaldoc]

<hr>...They are<big> _detpm.1</big> to <big>_detmp.14</big>...<hr>

I don't recognize them but would be glad to help with a bit of Googling if you clarify what the file names are - is it a typo on your part?

Edited to add: Forgot to ask - are you or have you run any spyware checkers? <!post=If not see this thread.,296439>If not see this thread.<!/post>

Edited to add 3rd question: Do you have a DEC (Digital Equipment) or Compaq computer and if so, what kind of ethernet adapter?

[DocWatson]

Google doesn't show much for "_detmp". This is the only definitive identification I got ............
_detmp.2 is a product of Symantec Corporation from here

and this definition "*._detmp are Temporary Files" here

[philkiwi]

_detmp is not a file extension. The extension is the number after the dot, _detmp.1, _detmp.2, _detmp.3, Etc. I looked at your other link, no info there and a Google search for _detmp.2 plus Symantec turned up nothing.

[philkiwi]

Not a typo, the flies are _detmp.1, _detmp.2, _detmp.3 etc, to _detmp.14. Yes I have Sybot & Adaware, checked out the entire thread you mention, but no mention of the files in question. My PC is not DEC or Compaq.

[philkiwi]

P.S. Google does not find anything worthwhile.

[DocWatson]

<center>

<hr>The extension is the number after the dot<hr>

</center>
A file extension cannot be a number. These are some sort of reference to .dll files from the little info I was able to gather. And, yes, as I said, Google didn't offer much on the subject. To the point of being useless. I'll do a bit more checking tomorrow and post back.

[bigaldoc]

Sorry, if you go back and look at yours and my original post and look carefully, you'll see the TYPO. The only reason I asked is that I went Googling on DETPM, rather than DETMP and found lots of hits about an ethernet adapter of some kind. That's where I got the DEC or Compaq question. Anyway, other than that or doing a properties on one of the files to see if there's any "secret" information in the Version tab (if there is one) I'm out of ideas.

[Leif]

I have similar files - see below - in my Windows folder, so if nothing else, you are not alone <img src=/S/smile.gif border=0 alt=smile width=15 height=15>

Opening them up with Notepad reveals little that is decipherable other than "Stirling Technologies, Inc. © 1990-1995" in odd-numbered ones, and right at the bottom of the even-numbered ones, a lot of readable text such as
"N a m e S y m a n t e c C o r p o r a t i o n n # F i l e D e s c r i p t i o n N o r t o n A n t i V i r u s I n s t a l l / U n i n s t a l l 6"

Now, a Google on Stirling Technologies points towards InstallShield. . . .

At a wild guess, these have been left behind when you have installed a program that uses InstallShield. Whether or not they are necessary I can not confirm, but usually moving such files to another temporary folder for a couple of weeks and seeing if your pc complains is a good enough check on their requirement on your system.

The creation dates appear to follow a chronological sequence for the odd-numbered ones here - I suspect the even-numbered ones have earlier dates as they are files that have been *copied* to the system during an installation process and thus carry a creation date unrelated to their 'partner'.

HTH.

[Leif]

>>>A file extension cannot be a number.

I'm afraid it appears it can - but your link to Symantec ties in with my post above <img src=/S/smile.gif border=0 alt=smile width=15 height=15>

[DocWatson]

If the numbers are "file extensions" in the true sense of the definition, then there has to be a program to open the file. Doesn't there ??? <img src=/S/confused.gif border=0 alt=confused width=15 height=20>

I think you are closer than I am with your idea about remnants from install/uninstall processes and I seem to recall reading some reference to Install Shield in one of the pages I searched. Perhaps they are some sort of reference to the .dll files required by Install Shield in the install/uninstall process ??

[DaveA]

Yes Doc, one can use numbers as the extension and then set the association of that number to a program. I do not think you will find a software program that has the association preset to a given number. This has been around for years, where people would define their own extensions for their ltr, meo, bil and etc for Letter, memo and bills.

[Leif]

>>> ...then there has to be a program to open the file. Doesn't there ???
Yes - and it is probably called InstallShield <img src=/S/grin.gif border=0 alt=grin width=15 height=15>

What is the true definition of an extension? - WhatIs.com gives the common view that it is there really just for the convenience of the user and help applications recognise it more easily. But you can open it with (e.g.) Word or Notepad simply by entering the full file name into the "File open.." dialogue box - and save it again just as easily if you decline the default extension.

My intincts tell me the underscore at the beginning of the file define it as a temporary file. Perhaps InstallShield checks the extension number of all files beginning with "_detmp" and on a new installation simply takes the next number....

[DocWatson]

Lief,
Your link to Whatis.com seems to provide more of an answer in it's definition of "extension" part 2, as a programming tool (likely as part of InstallShield) when it says......

" In programming, an extension is a file containing programming that serves to extend the capabilities of or data available to a more basic program. Extensions are sometimes required to be stored in a separate extensions file so that they're easy to locate. When installing software, you may be instructed to take one or more steps related to installing extensions (or these steps may automatically be done for you)."

And from what Dave says about being able to set "custom" extensions to suit your individual preferences or needs, then it would seem that almost anything (within the OS's number of character limits) can be a "file extension".

I stand corrected (again) <img src=/S/sigh.gif border=0 alt=sigh width=15 height=15> and <img src=/S/bow.gif border=0 alt=bow width=15 height=15> to the gentlemen with the knowledge.

[DaveA]

With the XP OS, the extension is NOT limited to 3 characters. Some newer versions of software use longer ones.

PaintShop Pro Version 8 uses "psimage" as the default.