Which replaced files can i delete after a system restore? the original or the replace

[dpkkk]

the replaced files have (2) next to the names but the sizes are different. they are not shortcuts either. should i go by the modification date or what?

[Welshjim]

dpkkk--I understand you find these files together in the same folder--not that you have different versions of files comparing one folder to another.
I was not aware that System Restore leaves duplicate files behind (or renames them). The whole idea of System Restore is that you are restoring (not adding) certain files and Registry settings which existed on a prior date. The files and settings in place just prior to the Restore should be gone.
Are you sure these "duplicate" files were not there before you used System Restore?
See http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...w_03may19.mspx
P.S. If the PC is running properly, I think I would leave things alone. I look forward to seeing what others think.

[SuperSparks]

Yep, I agree, this is nothing to do with Sys Restore. Somehow the files in that folder have become duplicated (it can easily happen if you aren't careful when dragging and dropping). Just delete all the ones with (2) in the name.

[dpkkk]

thanks for the article on system restore. a lot of things i wasnt aware of.

no these files were somehow duplicated with the (2) by them, like in the windows folder, explorer.exe and a lot of dlls in the system32 folder. some of the duplicate dlls are the same size some are different. i just noticed that some say (3) instead of (2). this is really the first time i even noticed there were these many duplicates. and there are quite a bit, especially in the aforementioned windows and system folders. i see that they are different versions of the same file. I did a properties check of some files and the values are different (where it says "other version info", item name and value)... which one of these would I delete?

for example:
security.dll -5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)
security(2).dll - 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)

dont know if I should just delete the ones with (2) or (3) because of their different sizes and versions.

the computer is working normally otherwise..

[Train]

security(2).dll - 5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)

Old version, can be removed.

security.dll -5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)
Newer version, the xpsp_sp2 and the version numbers are giveaways, keep it.

Latest with XP sp3 installed is
5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2113)