Can I delete hash files?

when looking at my computer files, there are several that say "-hash" and then several numbers after those. I've tried to open the file to see what it is, but it askes me "what do you want to open this file with?" and lists several viewers, and modes of reader options. what is a hash file? Do I need them? and can i delete them to help clean up my hard drive? Thanks

This question was answered on December 10, 2002. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

Hash means, in brief, that the output cannot be derived from the input.

You are probably looking at mp3 files that are incomplete.

Hash terms are used to pick up the download of a file where it left off, should the software encounter the file again on the net The reason they are incomplete, is because the person you were downloading them from probably turned off their computer or logged-off before the download was complete.

By the way, Winamp is a free program, highly recommended for handling mp3's It can play incomplete songs up to the point where they end.

If that is not what you are looking at, I wouldn't delete them They could be part of encryption software, or perhaps private information used for certain financial sites.

Unless they are in a particularly annoying spot, it's not good practice to delete any files on a PC, unless you are running a routine designed to do so, or you specifically put the file there yourself for a reason.

I see from your profile, you have a fairly small sized hard drive on your computer This is probably why you are trying to get rid of unused files Unless they are in a folder marked "temp" or "temporary" or have a .tmp extension, I'd be careful.

Best advice is to invest in one of the great hard drives available these days at resonable cost You'll never have to concern yourself with deleting files in the name of saving space again.

But if those files really bug you, try saving them to floppy disks or CD's Mark down their original directory location, just in case something stops running after deletion.

RG

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Posted by Robert of Mesa Community College on December 10, 2002

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