Unusual Temp File

[taichi]

While I was installing a program on my T60P Vista Ultimate, an annoying Java update notice caused my installation to fail. Ever since then (and I do believe this is the cause) whenever I start Windows I get an error window saying Windows cannot open MSI252C.tmp, which is a Windows installer file. It's located in C:\Windows\Installer\MSI252C.tmp, and it is huge.... 10,868 KB.

When I close the error window, everything works normally on the computer.

I understand that it is safe to delete any temp file. It would seem likely that the size of the temp file makes Windows take notice, and it's probably a big cache from the failed installation.

Anyone experience anything like this?

[taichi]

No one on this forum of advanced thinkers and gifted techs has a thought on this?

Is this temp oddity a unique event in the history of computing?

[loyukfai]

Could you use a HEX editor to open the file and see what's in there?

Cheers.

[emeraldgirl08]

Just a quick query thru the interwebs and one result mentions that it could be a Java update. Do you have java installed on your T60p??? I have not had that sort of warning but after the security risks associated with Java in the last year(s) I decided to banish Java to the nether regions. I no longer have Java on my T400 nor X200T. If you need Java then perhaps you should uninstall the version you have currently and download and install the latest. Hope you find out what that file is. Perhaps a search on the Java website may yield some anwers for you if that is what the temp folder is. Good luck

Source: http://blog.allcome.co.uk/uncategorized ... s-it-safe/

[taichi]

Glad to have responses from the UK and Hong Kong!

I am wary of Java as well, but keep it updated and then disable it in both browsers.

The idea that the big file could actually be the uninstalled Java update is intriguing. Where can I get a hex editor to read the contents of the file?

Thanks!

[jdrou]

I need to run Java but I never allow it to update itself; when I see a new version available I download it manually. Same with Flash.
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/ ... index.html

Flash:
http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplay ... tion3.html

[taichi]

Good suggestions.

I already migrated away from Adobe PDF Reader to Foxit, which is great.

So, I should disable the Java and Flash Update notifications, which I previously thought harmless as I had to approve installation. But that stupid Java notification froze my program installation.

Do you know where to disable them?

Thanks

[Majestic]

Both can be disabled in Windows Control Panel.

With Java, under the Update tab of the Java Control Panel, just uncheck the Check for Updates Automatically box.

With Flash Player, under the Advance tab of Flash Player Settings, select the button for Never Check for Updates.

[RealBlackStuff]

Why don't you boot in Safe Mode, and just delete that file?
Anything TMP can be wiped!

[taichi]

Why don't you boot in Safe Mode, and just delete that file?
Anything TMP can be wiped!

As I pondered deleting it, I never knew that deleting could only be done in Safe Mode.

Do you think the reason it shows up in an error message whenever my desktop opens is because of the size of the file, or because it is an MSI Installer file, even if Temp?

[loyukfai]

Java is simply a security headache for home users. Unfortunately, many businesses, and even governments, decided to use it. And it's kind of difficult to avoid when the tax department's online filing system requires the Java plug-in to work.

If you use Google Chrome, Flash is automatically updated in the background.

Come to think of it, Windows' update system leaves so much to be desired. Well, it's complicated, but on many Linux distros a single commandline is enough to update everything installed on the system.

Cheers.

[Majestic]

As I pondered deleting it, I never knew that deleting could only be done in Safe Mode.

Do you think the reason it shows up in an error message whenever my desktop opens is because of the size of the file, or because it is an MSI Installer file, even if Temp?

Try deleting it from Windows. If Vista won't let you then use Safe Mode.

After deletion I would run CCleaner and clean the registry. If there is any reference to the missing tmp file in the registry CCleaner should delete it and clear any remaining error message. CCleaner comes in a portable version that can be run from a USB drive if you care not to install it. Here is the link for the portable version....

http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/builds

Just extract the zip file to a USB flash drive.