LordoftheLeftHand
Graduate Poster
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2005
- Messages
- 1,188
Here is what I remember about CAB files (cabinet files).
I used to do tech support for an ISP. Sometimes (espically with windows 98) peoples network files would become corrupt. When this happened we would delete the corrupt files, then reinstall them from their CAB files (or from an Windows CD). So basically as I understand it: your CAB files contain a backup of some parts of your windows installation. I would guess that if you delete them then you might not be able to repair certain aspects of your operating system (without using the CD).
Anyone else shed some light on this?
LLH
I used to do tech support for an ISP. Sometimes (espically with windows 98) peoples network files would become corrupt. When this happened we would delete the corrupt files, then reinstall them from their CAB files (or from an Windows CD). So basically as I understand it: your CAB files contain a backup of some parts of your windows installation. I would guess that if you delete them then you might not be able to repair certain aspects of your operating system (without using the CD).
Anyone else shed some light on this?
LLH
After doing a limited amount of googling, I'm going to agree with LordoftheLeftHand in saying that they backup parts of your installation, so you don't have to use the windows CD.
It is possible that they also hold the driver files for windows-supported graphics cards/sound cards/network cards/hard drives/removable storage drives etc.
If that is the case, then removing the CAB files will not prevent your PC from running, but if you want to change the installation (e.g. by putting in a new network card), then you will have to put in the windows CD to find the files.
I could very easily be wrong though. It might be easier just to by a new HDD?
You should be able to get a 40GB drive for about £20 on eBay.
It is possible that they also hold the driver files for windows-supported graphics cards/sound cards/network cards/hard drives/removable storage drives etc.
If that is the case, then removing the CAB files will not prevent your PC from running, but if you want to change the installation (e.g. by putting in a new network card), then you will have to put in the windows CD to find the files.
I could very easily be wrong though. It might be easier just to by a new HDD?
You should be able to get a 40GB drive for about £20 on eBay.
bigred said:
Many software installations come with CAB files (BTW they aren't in Zip format, but many Zip programs can open them.) They aren't just for drivers and such.
If you can identitify what they are for (i.e. use a zip program to open them and look for the readme file) then you can decide which to backup to CD and which to keep.
BTW, I don't think XP keeps CAB files. It puts the raw files in directories then uses XP's directory compression feature to compress them.
Kevin
De_Bunk
Scourge of the Believer
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2002
- Messages
- 5,523
Find something else to delete...
Run a search and put .jpg / .bmp in the search box...
or .mpg / .avi...and so on..
You'd be surprised at what sizeable garbage it throws up...
I agree with the others...Get an external hard drive...they are very inexpensive and plug straight into a USB...
I bought two 80Gb external hardrives for $120 at a computer fair...
DB
Run a search and put .jpg / .bmp in the search box...
or .mpg / .avi...and so on..
You'd be surprised at what sizeable garbage it throws up...
I agree with the others...Get an external hard drive...they are very inexpensive and plug straight into a USB...
I bought two 80Gb external hardrives for $120 at a computer fair...
DB