W2k3 - clearing space in C:\

  • Thread starter Thread starter Newell White
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Newell White

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Can I safely remove any of the following (after backing up to D:\):

C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles (689Mbyte)

C:\WINDOWS\DriverCache (114Mbyte)

Also, I note that the .mdb file in C:WINDOWS\ntfrs\jet is 200Mbyte. Can this
database be reinitialised? Cant believe we need this much history in an
isolated .local domain with 2 servers and 40 workstations, which does not use
DFS for data file shares.
--
Regards,
Newell White
 
Re: W2k3 - clearing space in C:\


"Newell White" <NewellWhite@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B0D77495-2D8C-4D47-9B6D-ED2C3BB983FF@microsoft.com...
> Can I safely remove any of the following (after backing up to D:\):
>
> C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles (689Mbyte)
>
> C:\WINDOWS\DriverCache (114Mbyte)
>
> Also, I note that the .mdb file in C:WINDOWS\ntfrs\jet is 200Mbyte. Can
> this
> database be reinitialised? Cant believe we need this much history in an
> isolated .local domain with 2 servers and 40 workstations, which does not
> use
> DFS for data file shares.
> --
> Regards,
> Newell White

How large is your drive?

It's not a matter of how many servers you have or workstations you have,
it's based on the operating system version and service pack level, as well
as additional services added.

Do not delete the Driver Cache. Do not delete c:\WINDOWS\ntfrs\jet, or
expect numerous NTFRS errors that will also affect AD. If you have a DFS
root and don't need it, delete the root, which should clean it up. You can
also run the dfsutil and DFSGUI utility as well to clean it up. If you do
delete the database, you may want to take a look at this:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727056.aspx

Additional reading to help decide what to delete:

Delete files inside $hf_mig$ ? in Windows Update
http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...&tid=707fd6c4-2211-4e33-ba8f-456f986425ab&p=1

(scroll down past the ads):
http://www.experts-exchange.com/OS/Microsoft_Operating_Systems/Server/2003_Server/Q_22129501.html


--
Regards,
Ace

This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
confers no rights.

Ace Fekay, MCSE 2003 & 2000, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSE+I, MCT,
MVP Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
Microsoft Certified Trainer

For urgent issues, you may want to contact Microsoft PSS directly. Please
check http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone numbers.

Infinite Diversities in Infinite Combinations
 
Re: W2k3 - clearing space in C:\


"Ace Fekay [MVP Direcrtory Services]" wrote:

>
> "Newell White" <NewellWhite@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:B0D77495-2D8C-4D47-9B6D-ED2C3BB983FF@microsoft.com...
> > Can I safely remove any of the following (after backing up to D:\):
> >
> > C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles (689Mbyte)
> >
> > C:\WINDOWS\DriverCache (114Mbyte)
> >
> > Also, I note that the .mdb file in C:WINDOWS\ntfrs\jet is 200Mbyte. Can
> > this
> > database be reinitialised? Cant believe we need this much history in an
> > isolated .local domain with 2 servers and 40 workstations, which does not
> > use
> > DFS for data file shares.
> > --
> > Regards,
> > Newell White
>
> How large is your drive?
>
> It's not a matter of how many servers you have or workstations you have,
> it's based on the operating system version and service pack level, as well
> as additional services added.
>
> Do not delete the Driver Cache. Do not delete c:\WINDOWS\ntfrs\jet, or
> expect numerous NTFRS errors that will also affect AD. If you have a DFS
> root and don't need it, delete the root, which should clean it up. You can
> also run the dfsutil and DFSGUI utility as well to clean it up. If you do
> delete the database, you may want to take a look at this:
> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727056.aspx
>
> Additional reading to help decide what to delete:
>
> Delete files inside $hf_mig$ ? in Windows Update
> http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...&tid=707fd6c4-2211-4e33-ba8f-456f986425ab&p=1
>
> (scroll down past the ads):
> http://www.experts-exchange.com/OS/Microsoft_Operating_Systems/Server/2003_Server/Q_22129501.html
>
>
> --
> Regards,
> Ace
>
> This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
> confers no rights.
>
> Ace Fekay, MCSE 2003 & 2000, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSE+I, MCT,
> MVP Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
> Microsoft Certified Trainer
>
> For urgent issues, you may want to contact Microsoft PSS directly. Please
> check http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone numbers.
>
> Infinite Diversities in Infinite Combinations
>
Thanks for the clear warnings about DriverCache and ntfrs\jet, and the links.

My C:\ drive is 7.82 Gbyte (inherited with the job), so I have already
picked most of the low-hanging fruit to keep it running for the 3 years I
have been here.

After reading further on Service Packs, my plan now is:

1) Copy C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles to D:\, amend the two registry entries
in HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Currentversion\Setup\, then delete the
original.

2) Next month - get rid of Veritas BackupExec (currently 400Mbyte in
C:\Program Files). Using Robocopy and ntbackup instead.

3) When licence expires, replace Network Associates ePO and McAfee
(322Mbyte) with something cheaper that uses less memory, and will be
installed on our 2nd server, which I configured with a 30Gbyte C:\

--
Regards,
Newell White
 
Re: W2k3 - clearing space in C:\


"Newell White" <NewellWhite@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:CF7C42AB-313E-463D-81A5-D7AD21831A8E@microsoft.com...
> Thanks for the clear warnings about DriverCache and ntfrs\jet, and the
> links.
>
> My C:\ drive is 7.82 Gbyte (inherited with the job), so I have already
> picked most of the low-hanging fruit to keep it running for the 3 years I
> have been here.
>
> After reading further on Service Packs, my plan now is:
>
> 1) Copy C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles to D:\, amend the two registry entries
> in HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Currentversion\Setup\, then delete the
> original.
>
> 2) Next month - get rid of Veritas BackupExec (currently 400Mbyte in
> C:\Program Files). Using Robocopy and ntbackup instead.
>
> 3) When licence expires, replace Network Associates ePO and McAfee
> (322Mbyte) with something cheaper that uses less memory, and will be
> installed on our 2nd server, which I configured with a 30Gbyte C:\
>
> --
> Regards,
> Newell White
>
>

Newell,

That's a really small drive! Is this a DC?

Ace
 
Re: W2k3 - clearing space in C:\

"Ace Fekay [MVP Direcrtory Services]" wrote:

>
> "Newell White" <NewellWhite@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:CF7C42AB-313E-463D-81A5-D7AD21831A8E@microsoft.com...
> > Thanks for the clear warnings about DriverCache and ntfrs\jet, and the
> > links.
> >
> > My C:\ drive is 7.82 Gbyte (inherited with the job), so I have already
> > picked most of the low-hanging fruit to keep it running for the 3 years I
> > have been here.
> >
<snip>
> >
>
> Newell,
>
> That's a really small drive! Is this a DC?
>
> Ace
>
Certainly is! PDC emulator and runs enterprise-critical database accessed
from LAN and via VPN+RDP.
2nd server is also DC and holds pseudo-mirror of database (updated nightly
with Robocopy). Did try DFS for this, but my setup to try and restrict
replication one-way only caused it to run amok.

When UK economy and credit crunch permit, will press for a 3rd server, which
will allow breathing space to re-build 1st server after transferring roles.

Life is hard in the engineering/manufacturing sector these days!

--
Regards,
Newell
 
Re: W2k3 - clearing space in C:\


"Newell White" <NewellWhite@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:9845EBDC-9F3A-46CE-B38E-65737CFA8B33@microsoft.com...
> Certainly is! PDC emulator and runs enterprise-critical database accessed
> from LAN and via VPN+RDP.
> 2nd server is also DC and holds pseudo-mirror of database (updated nightly
> with Robocopy). Did try DFS for this, but my setup to try and restrict
> replication one-way only caused it to run amok.
>
> When UK economy and credit crunch permit, will press for a 3rd server,
> which
> will allow breathing space to re-build 1st server after transferring
> roles.
>
> Life is hard in the engineering/manufacturing sector these days!
>
> --
> Regards,
> Newell

I guess it depends on what you're manufacturing!

And yes, you can't mess with AD replication. DFS is replicated as part of
that. If you have a mirror copy of the app's database on the other DC, why
not install the app on that one and change everyone to use that guy so you
can rebuild the 1st one?

Also, you say you're using it for VPN. If I am to assume that means it has
multiple NICs with RRAS, that is really not recommended for a DC because of
DNS implications. Search google for multihomed DCs and see what I mean.

Anyway, I wish you the best of luck!!

Ace
 
Re: W2k3 - clearing space in C:\

Newell White wrote:
> "Ace Fekay [MVP Direcrtory Services]" wrote:
>
>> "Newell White" <NewellWhite@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:B0D77495-2D8C-4D47-9B6D-ED2C3BB983FF@microsoft.com...
>>> Can I safely remove any of the following (after backing up to D:\):
>>>
>>> C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles (689Mbyte)
>>>
>>> C:\WINDOWS\DriverCache (114Mbyte)
>>>
>>> Also, I note that the .mdb file in C:WINDOWS\ntfrs\jet is 200Mbyte. Can
>>> this
>>> database be reinitialised? Cant believe we need this much history in an
>>> isolated .local domain with 2 servers and 40 workstations, which does not
>>> use
>>> DFS for data file shares.
>>> --
>>> Regards,
>>> Newell White
>> How large is your drive?
>>
>> It's not a matter of how many servers you have or workstations you have,
>> it's based on the operating system version and service pack level, as well
>> as additional services added.
>>
>> Do not delete the Driver Cache. Do not delete c:\WINDOWS\ntfrs\jet, or
>> expect numerous NTFRS errors that will also affect AD. If you have a DFS
>> root and don't need it, delete the root, which should clean it up. You can
>> also run the dfsutil and DFSGUI utility as well to clean it up. If you do
>> delete the database, you may want to take a look at this:
>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727056.aspx
>>
>> Additional reading to help decide what to delete:
>>
>> Delete files inside $hf_mig$ ? in Windows Update
>> http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...&tid=707fd6c4-2211-4e33-ba8f-456f986425ab&p=1
>>
>> (scroll down past the ads):
>> http://www.experts-exchange.com/OS/Microsoft_Operating_Systems/Server/2003_Server/Q_22129501.html
>>
>>
>> --
>> Regards,
>> Ace
>>
>> This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
>> confers no rights.
>>
>> Ace Fekay, MCSE 2003 & 2000, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSE+I, MCT,
>> MVP Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
>> Microsoft Certified Trainer
>>
>> For urgent issues, you may want to contact Microsoft PSS directly. Please
>> check http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone numbers.
>>
>> Infinite Diversities in Infinite Combinations
>>
> Thanks for the clear warnings about DriverCache and ntfrs\jet, and the links.
>
> My C:\ drive is 7.82 Gbyte (inherited with the job), so I have already
> picked most of the low-hanging fruit to keep it running for the 3 years I
> have been here.
>
> After reading further on Service Packs, my plan now is:
>
> 1) Copy C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles to D:\, amend the two registry entries
> in HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Currentversion\Setup\, then delete the
> original.
>
> 2) Next month - get rid of Veritas BackupExec (currently 400Mbyte in
> C:\Program Files). Using Robocopy and ntbackup instead.
>
> 3) When licence expires, replace Network Associates ePO and McAfee
> (322Mbyte) with something cheaper that uses less memory, and will be
> installed on our 2nd server, which I configured with a 30Gbyte C:\
>

Is your D: drive another physical drive or a partition? If separate, how
about moving the swap file to D:?

Also, think about turning off the System Restore (or at least get rid of
all and reduce the disk limit (10% by default).

--

Regards,
Hank Arnold
Microsoft MVP
Windows Server - Directory Services
 
Re: W2k3 - clearing space in C:\


"Hank Arnold (MVP)" wrote:

> Newell White wrote:
> > "Ace Fekay [MVP Direcrtory Services]" wrote:
> >
> >> "Newell White" <NewellWhite@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:B0D77495-2D8C-4D47-9B6D-ED2C3BB983FF@microsoft.com...
> >>> Can I safely remove any of the following (after backing up to D:\):
> >>>
> >>> C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles (689Mbyte)
> >>>
> >>> C:\WINDOWS\DriverCache (114Mbyte)
> >>>
> >>> Also, I note that the .mdb file in C:WINDOWS\ntfrs\jet is 200Mbyte. Can
> >>> this
> >>> database be reinitialised? Cant believe we need this much history in an
> >>> isolated .local domain with 2 servers and 40 workstations, which does not
> >>> use
> >>> DFS for data file shares.
> >>> --
> >>> Regards,
> >>> Newell White
> >> How large is your drive?
> >>
> >> It's not a matter of how many servers you have or workstations you have,
> >> it's based on the operating system version and service pack level, as well
> >> as additional services added.
> >>
> >> Do not delete the Driver Cache. Do not delete c:\WINDOWS\ntfrs\jet, or
> >> expect numerous NTFRS errors that will also affect AD. If you have a DFS
> >> root and don't need it, delete the root, which should clean it up. You can
> >> also run the dfsutil and DFSGUI utility as well to clean it up. If you do
> >> delete the database, you may want to take a look at this:
> >> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727056.aspx
> >>
> >> Additional reading to help decide what to delete:
> >>
> >> Delete files inside $hf_mig$ ? in Windows Update
> >> http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...&tid=707fd6c4-2211-4e33-ba8f-456f986425ab&p=1
> >>
> >> (scroll down past the ads):
> >> http://www.experts-exchange.com/OS/Microsoft_Operating_Systems/Server/2003_Server/Q_22129501.html
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> Regards,
> >> Ace
> >>
> >> This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
> >> confers no rights.
> >>
> >> Ace Fekay, MCSE 2003 & 2000, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSE+I, MCT,
> >> MVP Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
> >> Microsoft Certified Trainer
> >>
> >> For urgent issues, you may want to contact Microsoft PSS directly. Please
> >> check http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone numbers.
> >>
> >> Infinite Diversities in Infinite Combinations
> >>
> > Thanks for the clear warnings about DriverCache and ntfrs\jet, and the links.
> >
> > My C:\ drive is 7.82 Gbyte (inherited with the job), so I have already
> > picked most of the low-hanging fruit to keep it running for the 3 years I
> > have been here.
> >
> > After reading further on Service Packs, my plan now is:
> >
> > 1) Copy C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles to D:\, amend the two registry entries
> > in HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Currentversion\Setup\, then delete the
> > original.
> >
> > 2) Next month - get rid of Veritas BackupExec (currently 400Mbyte in
> > C:\Program Files). Using Robocopy and ntbackup instead.
> >
> > 3) When licence expires, replace Network Associates ePO and McAfee
> > (322Mbyte) with something cheaper that uses less memory, and will be
> > installed on our 2nd server, which I configured with a 30Gbyte C:\
> >
>
> Is your D: drive another physical drive or a partition? If separate, how
> about moving the swap file to D:?
>
> Also, think about turning off the System Restore (or at least get rid of
> all and reduce the disk limit (10% by default).
>
> --
>
> Regards,
> Hank Arnold
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows Server - Directory Services
>
Thanks Hank, have already moved pagefile.sys and turned off System Restore.

--
Regards,
Newell White
 
Re: W2k3 - clearing space in C:\


"Ace Fekay [MVP Direcrtory Services]" wrote:

>
> "Newell White" <NewellWhite@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:9845EBDC-9F3A-46CE-B38E-65737CFA8B33@microsoft.com...
> > Certainly is! PDC emulator and runs enterprise-critical database accessed
> > from LAN and via VPN+RDP.
> > 2nd server is also DC and holds pseudo-mirror of database (updated nightly
> > with Robocopy). Did try DFS for this, but my setup to try and restrict
> > replication one-way only caused it to run amok.
> >
> > When UK economy and credit crunch permit, will press for a 3rd server,
> > which
> > will allow breathing space to re-build 1st server after transferring
> > roles.
> >
> > Life is hard in the engineering/manufacturing sector these days!
> >
> > --
> > Regards,
> > Newell
>
> I guess it depends on what you're manufacturing!
>
> And yes, you can't mess with AD replication. DFS is replicated as part of
> that. If you have a mirror copy of the app's database on the other DC, why
> not install the app on that one and change everyone to use that guy so you
> can rebuild the 1st one?
>
> Also, you say you're using it for VPN. If I am to assume that means it has
> multiple NICs with RRAS, that is really not recommended for a DC because of
> DNS implications. Search google for multihomed DCs and see what I mean.
>
> Anyway, I wish you the best of luck!!
>
> Ace
>
Yes, have been thinking of moving the database apps as alternative. But
would be a much more visible change. Better to do good (or Bad!) by stealth.

Do not have multiple NICs or RRAS - this site is full of cries of woe and
dire consequences from that mis-configuration.
VPN is handled by our Cisco firewall - clients configured for split tunnel.
--
Regards,
Newell White
 
Re: W2k3 - clearing space in C:\

In news:798909BF-5DA9-4AB4-A6C7-0AAA0B939C34@microsoft.com,
Newell White <NewellWhite@discussions.microsoft.com> requesting assistance,
typed the following:

> Yes, have been thinking of moving the database apps as alternative.
> But would be a much more visible change. Better to do good (or Bad!)
> by stealth.
>
> Do not have multiple NICs or RRAS - this site is full of cries of woe
> and dire consequences from that mis-configuration.
> VPN is handled by our Cisco firewall - clients configured for split
> tunnel.

Ok, sounds like a perfect setup. :-)

Ace
 
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