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What is the usage of CollectedData_xxxx.xml ?

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by blueray, 2007/07/11.

  1. 2007/07/11
    blueray

    blueray Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi, I have running the Windows XP system a long time.
    But just discovered that the system folder pchealth\helpctr have some xml files that some large.

    What is the function of this *.xml files.
    Is this used for performance related tasks ?

    Be it is safely to delete ?


    Thanks,
    Eric,
     
    blueray,
    #1
  2. 2007/07/11
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Why do you want to delete them - are you short of drive space?
     
    PeteC,
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  4. 2007/07/12
    mailman Lifetime Subscription

    mailman Geek Member

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    Hi, Eric. :)

    The "CollectedData_xxxx.xml " files you mentioned are normally found in the C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\DataColl\ folder. The DataColl folder currently uses 122 MB of space on my drive.

    As Pete seems to be implying, I suggest you leave those files in place.

    • Microsoft: Description of Windows XP System Information (Msinfo32.exe) Tool

    If you decide to use the View > System History function in the "System Information" window, then your computer may require several minutes to generate/refresh History reports for your computer.


    EDIT: BTW, if you are indeed short of drive space, then have a look at this linked thread. :)
     
    Last edited: 2007/07/12
    mailman,
    #3
  5. 2007/07/12
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    There is more potential harm in ferreting around in the Windows directory and deleting files which 'appear to be unnecessary' than leaving well alone. This has been a pet hobby-horse of mine for years - posters who want to delete files because they seem to be irrelevant. With hard drives the size they are these days and their ever reducing cost/gigabyte it is just not worth the effort of trying to save a few 100 Mb or less here and there.

    If you want to keep your system in trim and reduce the space taken up with files that are of no use at all I suggest three courses of action - there are more ....

    Set IE to empty the Temporary Internet Files folder on Exit - Tools > Internet Options > Scroll down to Security.

    Start > Run > type %temp% > OK - all files are safe to delete - 2 or 3 will be in use and cannot be deleted.

    C:\Windows\Temp - delete with same rider as above.

    Eric - this is not a rant directed at you personally, so please do not take offence :) It is something I have wanted to get off my chest for a long time - and I've done it :D
     
    PeteC,
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  6. 2007/07/12
    mailman Lifetime Subscription

    mailman Geek Member

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    Eric,

    Another handy, small (50KB), stand-alone utility I have used a few times to safely clean out the files Pete mentioned and more is ATF-Cleaner by Atribune.
    ATF-Cleaner by Atribune is often suggested by malware-removal experts for final cleanup after malware has been removed so, naturally, I had to try it out. :)

    Caution/Disclaimer: I do not generally suggest using utilities suggested by malware experts because malware removal often has to be done in a very specific manner. The tools malware-removal experts suggest are sometimes unique to the victim's situation and may cause harm if applied by casual "tinkerers" such as myself. :) (However, ATF-Cleaner by Atribune does not appear to fall in this category of potentially dangerous utilities.)
     
    Last edited: 2007/07/12
    mailman,
    #5
  7. 2007/07/14
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    My C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\DataColl\ folder is 1.22 MB only.
    If you want to get an idea of what those xml files are then drag one to an IE window to see the xml code, no need to display the active content though.

    Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a general-purpose markup language. It is classified as an extensible language because it allows its users to define their own tags. Its primary purpose is to facilitate the sharing of data across different information systems.
     
    TonyT,
    #6
  8. 2007/07/17
    blueray

    blueray Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi, All, I'am very sorry about that and late reply.


    Thanks All of Professional Users.

    Yes, I'am out of disk space on my hard drive.
    So, I have to free some space to get it works correctly.

    I have decided to re-partition the drive and give it 20GB for the system partition excluding the page file.

    Yes, It is. It seems that within the system folder have a lot of files / folders were not well document. So is easy to deleted some important files and made the system not boot-up normally.

    As stated in the kb on microosft web site by Mailman:
    " History Information is provided by WMI, and is stored in the Extensible Markup Language (XML) data files located in Windows\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Datacoll. "
    It seems that be safely to remove and so, make a copy of it and then drop it to recycle bin.

    Also, I try my best to clean up the system and make it running smooth.


    Thanks Yours Help
    Eric,

    P.S. The file size of my collected_data_xxxx.xml between 20KB to 12MB.
    and I have been downloaded the tools but having tested yet.
     
    blueray,
    #7

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