Copyright: A.S.H.  (c) M. Pacchiarotti, Jimjams 1997


A.S.H.  (c) M. Pacchiarotti, Jimjams 1997yesyesyesyesyesAdvanced Space HunterTRUEashyesyes17/10/97


Table of Contents
A.S.H. - Advanced Space Hunter

	Introduction Overview F.A.Q. Known Problems Licence Registration


Help file produced by  HELLLP! v2.7 , a product of Guy Software, on 17/10/97 for Mario Pacchiarotti.

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Temporary Files

Same Name Files

Zero Size Files

Unused Files

Broken Links


Introduction

I made A.S.H. to allow you to control your disk space usage by discovering duplicate files, and, should you wish to do so, delete or archive one or more of these duplicates.

A.S.H. also offers a visual directory explorer. This is a set of chart representations of your drives and directories with interesting information about wasted space, huge directories, file size statistics, file creation, update and access dates and more.

Now A.S.H. is more than a duplicated file searcher. It offers much information about your disk’s usage so you can not only use it as a disk cleaner, but it also is a nice tool to understand how your disk space is used. All this just for a small fee!

There are many ways in which duplicate files find their way onto your hard disk. For example, there are programs that do not check to see if you have a particular DLL installed and install their own private copy. Others install a DLL in your Windows directory when it is already in your Windows\System directory.

The Internet is another great “duplicate file producer”, because of the cache directories and our collection of graphical, text and zip files.

A.S.H. scans your drives to find duplicate files. First it scans all the directories and collects information about all the files it finds. Then it sorts the file list into size order and checks for duplicates.

To ensure files are really duplicates A.S.H. can use a CRC32 algorithm over the whole file.

A.S.H. also compares file names and creates a list of duplicate named files so you can check whether there are different versions of the same DLL or file.

A.S.H. also provides other useful information and hints, such as:

a list of directories where many small files exist on a large drive (thereby wasting space)

a list of totally duplicated directories (so you can eliminate the entire directory)

a list of zero size files

a list of temporary files

a list of unused files and directories

a list of greatest files

a list of broken Windows links

You may delete files from within the program (move to Recycle bin), but you take sole responsibility if you chose to do so because A.S.H. makes no attempt to check if the file is in use or essential to the functioning of your computer. Be careful when using this delete option!

Generally:

if you aren't sure, don’t delete a file; leave it alone.

if you are positive you know it's all right to delete it, it is recommended to archive it for a short period before deletion, just to be safe.

You have also the option to archive the files in a special “Ash Tray” directory.

A.S.H.  is a very powerful and easy to use utility, but like most powerful utilities, it allows you to do lots of damage, so use it carefully.

Even if you don’t use A.S.H. to delete duplicate files, you can take advantage of it’s visual space explorer or some of the other features (i.e. you can use A.S.H. to plan your partition size before to migrate onto a new hard disk and more....).

Now read the overview section which should provide you with enough information to start working with A.S.H.

Jimjams


Overview

Fig. 1 - Directories Tree

A.S.H.  is really easy to use. Simply select from the left list the drives you want to check (the best way is to check all your drives together) and press the Scan button. Although the scan operation takes a few moments you can watch the status bar to monitor the progress.

To check / uncheck drives or directories you may use both left (on icon) or right mouse button.

One click will select / deselect items in the list.

In the Scan Operation A.S.H. simply collects information about the files in the selected drives. After this short phase the statistics are available.

Fig. 2 - Tool Bar

After the Scan Operation you are able to start the Hunt Operation. Click on Hunt Button and you will prompted to choose which of the Hunt options you want to execute.

Fig. 3 - Hunt Phases Dialog

There are several phases available in the Hunt Operation:

Temporary Files

Zero Size Files

Same Name Files

Broken Links

Oldest Files

Duplicated Files

You can choose any of the options and for Duplicate File Scan you can also choose which kind of check A.S.H. is to execute.

After your confirmation the search will start. Only the Duplicate Files option takes a fair amount of time, depending on the option you chose. Full CRC Search is about 5-10 times slower than Size & Name with CRC, but it really finds all the duplicate files over your drives. You can stop the duplicate search phase clicking the Stop Button.

During each of the hunt phases the status bar will provide you with relevant information about the option being run at the time.

After the hunt you can use the various lists in A.S.H. to check and delete (or archive) duplicate files, temporary files, unused files and zero-size files.

There are two different list styles, one for Duplicate and Same Name lists and one for all the other lists.

(In the latest version all of the lists have the same style, but you can optionally return to the old style from Properties).

Fig. 4 - Duplicate and Same Name List

Same Name files and Duplicate Files are grouped and highlighted with different background colors for each group.

In this view you can mark files using the Mark Button or clicking in the little check-box to the left.

The other view shows more file information. You can also sort the files simply clicking the header of the field you want to sort by. Duplicate files are highlighted (blue color) and if you single click on it a little window will pop-up showing you all the associated duplicate files.

Fig. 4b - Other list style

To delete marked files click the Delete Button. To archive marked files in the ASH Tray use the Archive button.

You can also export or print the file lists clicking on the Save List and Print button.

Beware:

if you aren't sure, then do not delete the file; leave it alone.

if you are positive you know it's all right to delete it, then archive it for a short period before deleting it, just to be safe..

A.S.H.  is a very powerful and easy to use utility, but like most powerful utilities, it allows you to do lots of damage, so use it carefully!

If you don’t want scan for duplicates, but simply want to use the space tree (or the associated pie graph) then you can skip the Hunt Operation and start to enjoy A.S.H. immediately after the Scan Operation.

You can explore the space pie and space bar chart. Double click over a slice or bar to enter that directory. Double click out of the pie to go back in the parent directory and click and hold right mouse button over a slice/bar to see directory information.

You can interact with each of the available charts. The following tool bar is on the top of the chart.

Fig. 5 - Chart Tool Bar

Save Bitmap	you can save your graph as a windows Bitmap
Save Metafile	you can save your graph as a windows Metafile
Clip Bitmap	you can copy the chart image (bitmap) to the clipboard
Clip Metafile	you can copy the chart image (metafile) to the clipboard
Toggle Legend	toggle legend on and off
Toggle Marks	toggle marks on and off
Toggle 3D	toggle 3D on and off
Rotate	rotate pie chart

Obviously with the Print Button you can print your chart.

Other charts give you statistics about the size of your files and creation, update and access dates. Size and date charts refer to the checked directories in the Directory Tree. Space pie and space bar charts refer to the selected directory in the Directory Tree.

A.S.H.  also gives you a report about directories containing many little files and an estimate of the space wasted by these directories. Space is wasted because the bigger your partition is, the bigger the cluster size. A file gets space allocated as a single or multiples of a whole cluster, so if you have a cluster of 16K and your file is one byte, that file get 16K (wasting 1 byte less the 16K)!

The estimate is not correct for a compressed partition, for network drives and for FAT32 drives, so A.S.H. will report zero space wasted for these drives.

Fig. 6 - Hints: most wasting directories

On the hints tab there is also a list of duplicate directories. That is, the directories in the list contain only duplicate files. Each of the files in these directories are duplicated somewhere else.

The “Low Use Directory” refers to directories with all the files unaccessed for a long time.

Fig. 7 - The shrinker

	The little red spot in A.S.H. window is a shrinker. Click there to enlarge/shrink the notebook view. It is useful to get the maximum space for charts or file lists.

That's all folks. Remember, be careful if you decide to delete a file. The best way is to archive it and check if all of your applications still work.


Licence

License Agreement

By installing this software you accept the following license agreement.

The software is distributed through a means known as Shareware.  Shareware is not a type of software, but a means of distribution.  Shareware is not free software. You are granted a right to use the software for an evaluation period of 31 days.  If you continue to use the software after the evaluation period you are required to either register or remove the software from your computer.

The software is considered registered once the author has received the appropriate payment for the software and the "registration ID" has been entered in to the program.

Your registration ID code is for your personal use only.  You may not publish your registration ID code or distribute it in any way nor may you distribute the software once it has been registered.  Distributing your registration ID is illegal and is no different than distributing illegal copies of the registered software.

You may freely distribute the SHAREWARE (not registered) version provided that

•	you distribute the original ZIP file containing all the original files

•	it's clearly stated that the software is Shareware

•	no more than $5 is charged per copy.

Shareware distribution systems can distribute the SHAREWARE (not registered) version in their CD-ROMs.

The software and documentation are copyrighted.

Warranty

This product comes with the ultimate warranty.  You can try it, use it and test it for 21 days without spending a cent.  If you are satisfied with the product (as I hope you will be) then register. If you are not satisfied with the product simply remove it from your computer and that’s it.

Disclaimer

THE AUTHOR DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES RELATING TO THIS SOFTWARE WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND ALL SUCH WARRANTIES ARE EXPRESSLY AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMED.  NEITHER THE AUTHOR NOR ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CREATION, PRODUCTION, OR DELIVERY OF THIS SOFTWARE SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE SUCH SOFTWARE EVEN IF THE AUTHOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR CLAIMS.  IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR'S LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES EVER EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE LICENSE TO USE THE SOFTWARE, REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF CLAIM, THE PERSON USING THE SOFTWARE BEARS ALL RISKS AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE.  SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF THE LIMIT OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.


Registration

By registering A.S.H. you help keep the Shareware system alive.

The registration fee for A.S.H. is only $20, check register.exe to learn about fees for multiple copies and site licenses.

To register you can use the attached register.exe program, or use the on-line internet registration page:

http://order.kagi.com/?JJ

or the secure one:

http://order.kagi.com/?JJ&S

Kagi will manage the registration stuff and you will receive a key to unlock the program in a few days.

After you receive the key you need to activate the ABOUT windows of A.S.H. and click the "Insert Key" button. Type in your name and the key.

You can always find the latest version of this software at our internet site:

http://www.jimjams.com

Author contact:

Mario Pacchiarotti
Development & Support, Jimjams
mario@jimjams.com
jimjams@mclink.it
http://www.jimjams.com


Temporary Files

A.S.H.  searches your drives for temporary files. There are lot of them around because some programs don’t delete them. Also, sometimes they occur because of an uncontrolled shutdown, etc.

By default A.S.H. collects files from TEMP and TMP environment directories and files with some special extensions (.old, .bak, .$$$ .~ and so on.)

You can customize that search using the A.S.H. properties:

Sometimes TMP or TEMP directories contain more than temporary files (sometimes TMP points to C:\DOS) so you can exclude it from the search unchecking the relate checkbox. You can also add as many extensions you want to the search list.


Same Name Files

It’s normal to have many files with the same name, but by looking at this list you can find information you cannot find in the duplicated file list.

Sometimes you can have different version of the same software (DLL, EXE) over you drives. In such cases the “Same Name List” can help you.

Files with the same name are grouped in the list so you can easily distinguish between them.

As always, you can archive or delete the files. First check the file on the left with your mouse or space bar and delete or archive it using the related button on the tool bar.


Zero Size Files

This list contains void files. These files have a size of zero, but they still use space.

Be careful deleting such files because some old style applications uses zero size files as signals (semaphores, switches, and so on) for their internal goals.


Unused Files

This list collects the oldest files from your drives. “Oldest” refers to files which you haven’t accessed in a long time, not files with the oldest creation date. If you created a file two years ago, but you use it daily this file will be not in the “Oldest Files” (unused) list. If you created a file some months ago and you never used it then it will be in the list.

Try sorting the list by directory and you will quickly see if there are directories that you haven’t used in a long time. Maybe you installed a product and never used it. Do you really need it?

In the Hints tab there is also a list of unused directories. These directories are totally unused from the highlighted number of days. You can analyze that list too.


Known Problems

1	FAT32 drives will report an erratic cluster size.
Only the cluster size should be wrong. Please let me know if you have other problems with ASH.


F.A.Q.

1	There is a strange directory on my drive named “ASH TRAY” with unknown files in it, what is it ?
This is the ASH archive directory. ASH puts all of the files that you archived for that drive in this directory. You can explore this directory to check what files it contains from within the program itself after the “Scan” phase. Click on “Ash Tray” and choose the Files tab from the notebook on the right. From there you can delete the files or unarchive them. You can unarchive a file and restore it to the original path.

2	The date chart tells me about 70% of the files are accessed in the last week, but that’s not possible because I used only a few files from the installed software. There is something wrong ?!
If you used some other package to hunt for duplicated files or to get statistics about your drives, the very likely that package touched the access date of all the files it scanned.

3	The fonts in the Same Name List and in the Duplicate Files List are too little and the lists are not easy to read. Can I change the fonts ?
Yes. Click Options on the tool bar button and change "Fixed Sized List Font" accordingly. You can also change to other fonts (typeface and size).

4	I deleted many files but the free space on my drive is the same. Why ?
ASH doesn't physically delete files, but it moves files to the Recycle Bin so be sure to empty the Recycle Bin to reclaim your space.


Broken Links

Windows 95 provides a Control Panel feature to uninstall applications and programs are now usually distributed with an uninstall feature.

But sometimes applications come without an uninstall feature and the only way to remove them is by deleting the program directory. Usually this works, but if the application added an entry to the start menu or desktop then the icon or menu item will still be visible.

A.S.H. searches Windows links and checks if they are still valid. Any broken link will be added to this list and then you can delete it if you wish.

You can decide if you wish to check the links to removable or network drives (you may not want to do because links to any removable drives are broken if the removable media is not in the drive and links to network drive are reported as broken if the network connection is not active).