Topic: $$$ files

[jonesy]

Our server is only 60GB and is rapidly running out of storage space. We have been told we cannot have a new one until our housekeeping is better.

Whilst working on a scheme I noticed some .$$$ files. What are they, and can they be deleted? They are typically taking up between 5000 kb and 25000 kb.

Is there anyone out there with a list of files which Autocad users produce that can/should be deleted.

I currently delete .bak, .bk*, .sv$, plot.log and .ac$.

Thanks for your input
Tracey

[TR]

http://filext.com/detaillist.php?extdetail=%24%24%24&Submit3=Go%21

[hudster]

60GB that is luxury.

our server is so old we only have 30GB in total, 5 No 6GB drives in a raid configuration.
Although, we are getting a new server in the new year.

We actually ran out of space last week, so I have 3 gig of information located on my computer as a temporary measure till the new server arrives.

[CADaver]

60Gb as in SIXTY ?  My local drive is 80Gb.  Sixty wouldn't hold half of one project.  We have 6 - 140GB storage servers and 1 - 140 application server.

[M-dub]

Show off!    

[Mark]

More OT, sorry.

So do you guys have someone (read IT person) working for your company that sets up and maintains your servers? I have been playing with the idea of offering "long distance" admin services to small companies that don't want full time IT people so I'm fishing a little.

[AfricaAD]

I am trying to get more server space & another server in our office. My goal is to use the other server for plotting & for lower traffic space (archives, temp space, etc.). Although we just got 7 new PC's, a new plotter after the new year, & other upgrades, I doubt a new server will be arriving anytime soon.

[CADaver]

Show off!    

Yes, and arrogant as well  

[M-dub]

A while back, I posted something about file types that are associated with AutoCAD....

Here it is...
http://theswamp.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2892

Don't know if it'll help you at all...

[jonesy]

60Gb as in SIXTY ? My local drive is 80Gb. Sixty wouldn't hold half of one project. We have 6 - 140GB storage servers and 1 - 140 application server.

Yes thats 60GB and there are approx 40 users and of those about half are cad users .
I have got to the point where i have to delete .bak files each week to stop the network from falling.
What other files can be deleted.

Thanks for your help
Tracey

[CADaver]

60Gb as in SIXTY ? My local drive is 80Gb. Sixty wouldn't hold half of one project. We have 6 - 140GB storage servers and 1 - 140 application server.

Yes thats 60GB and there are approx 40 users and of those about half are cad users .
I have got to the point where i have to delete .bak files each week to stop the network from falling.
What other files can be deleted.

Thanks for your help
Tracey

"YOIKES!"  That's less than 2Gb per user.  You need server space... BAD.  It is astoundingly cheaper to buy and install more space than it is to try and micro-manage a grossly under-sized system.  

I mean, geez-Louise, a 320Gb hard-drive is under $500.00 HERE . Getting one installed, up and running should be under $1000 TOTAL including all manhours.  That would pay itself the first week.

[t-bear]

approx 40 users and of those about half are cad users

Anything that belongs to "the other" half....  

Sounds like you've covered 'bout everything from a CAD standpoint.  Have you looked into duplicate or unnecissary (SP?) files/folders from the other departments? What about moving some information to local stations?  Legacy stuff?? If needed, it could be accessed thru the server ... just a matter of permissions.

[jonesy]

Hard drives are not too much money here in the UK too! However, the company I work for has just been bought out. The management say that until we get our housekeeping in order we wont be able to have a new disk.  

It is hell to try and keep on top of the system, deleting files etc. The older drawings have to be archived before they are ready. I would like to see a dedicated hard drive for archived files, but again this will not happen until we get the housekeeping in order.

The company has been working line this since at least 2000, and I started here as Cad manager about 6 weeks ago. I have a mountain of back-work to go through and check. Hell I dont even know where to begin. I also have to find time to do the drawings and train the new users, as well as getting the new manual up and running When this is all running a bit better, I will then be starting to manage the drawing staff a little better.

Oh well, you know what its like I suppose. (Its still less stressful than being a full-time mum to my 4 kids!)

Anyway, back to my questions, what files can be deleted apart from the .bak files, and where do the $$$ files come from.

Sorry to rant on
Tracey

[jonesy]

 What about moving some information to local stations?  Legacy stuff?? If needed, it could be accessed thru the server ... just a matter of permissions.

I dont know how easy that would be as our IT department is in a different part of the country. One of the guys comes in to the office on a weekly basis, I will try and catch him next time he comes in to see what can move and the best way to do it.
Thanks for your input
Tracey

[dubb]

should you be deleting the bak and sv$ files? they play an important role here. they save my butt when autocad crashes or if i delete a file. those two types of files are stored locally on my workstation. i direct them throught the support options to limit the amount of data written to the server.

[hudster]

I use express tools movebak command, to move all bak files on every station to the same folder.
I then delete every file over 2 days old, I figure if you don't need it by then you never will.

I also delete the following files regularly.

plot.log
*.err
*.dmp
*.nfl

I also search for any files that contain "recover" in the title, I then make sure they have been recovered, if not, I do so then replace original file with recovered version. But check the date of the files first, the most current version is usually the right one.

Another good thing to do is purge all the drawings you can.  You can download a program called smartpurger, which will purge drawings and save them with their original date format, I've saved GB of space doing this. you need to register it though, the trial version can only do a few drawings.
If your company won't buy this write a script and purge the drawings that way.

After purging, try zipping all the old drawings, you can save about 30% of a files space just by zipping it.

hope this helps.
 

[M-dub]

Good tips, Hudster.
I don't know why I didn't think to mention the .err files.  The other CAD guy here creates more of those files than he creates .dwg files!  It's amazing!  I don't know how he does it.

[jonesy]

should you be deleting the bak and sv$ files? they play an important role here. they save my butt when autocad crashes or if i delete a file. those two types of files are stored locally on my workstation. i direct them throught the support options to limit the amount of data written to the server.

I only delete .bak files that are over 1 week old. By that time they will have been backed up on the nightly tape backup anyway. Desperate times need desperate measures!

Thanks for everyones advice. I had not thought about zipping schemes, I will look into that.

Tracey

[jwisherd]

sometimes there are bk1 , bk2 files that can be removed. as well as plt files. Also depending on your setup, do a disk clean up, there may be several temp files or files from websurfing that could be removed.
.bak
.sv$
.ac$
.log
.plt
.bk1
.bk2
depending on how your office works, zip files may also be able to be removed, if you desperatly need the space.
You may also let the higher-ups know how much time you spend each week cleaning up just so that people can work. People tend to be modivated when things are put in terms of time and money. Also take a look at projects that are finished, and can be archived.