/var/preserve/Exaaa????? files on HPUX

Here is an example of files named Exaaa????? under /var/preserve on HPUX which occupies space, sometimes alot space and are found in larger no. These files are usually editor files from old vi session which aborts for any reasons. These files are kept here by system so that user can restore the file(s) from /var/preserve

On other Unix Flavors like AIX/Solaris ,you'll find the same files under /var/preserve

Here is an example of how to restore the file:

# vi -r
/usr/preserve/root:
On Wed Feb 18 at 15:10, saved 270 lines of file "catalina.sh"
/var/tmp:
No files saved.
# date ( Current Date)
Sat Jun 13 22:51:02 CDT 2009

Isn't it cool !!

Its time to delete old unnecessary files; so as Nike says Just do it

# ls -l Exaae00444 Exaag00444 Exaaf00444 Exaaa00401 Exaaa27641 Exaaa02088
-rw------- 1 root root 15556404 Dec 24 2001 Exaaa00401
-rw------- 1 root root 36528128 Nov 4 2007 Exaaa02088
-rw------- 1 root root 33611776 Dec 4 2001 Exaaa27641
-rw------- 1 root root 12195664 Dec 25 2007 Exaae00444
-rw------- 1 root root 13762908 Dec 25 2007 Exaaf00444
-rw------- 1 root root 12195664 Dec 25 2007 Exaag00444

Check the pwd , you should be under /var/preserve :
#rm Exaa*
or
# rm /var/preserve/Exaa*

What if you type :
# rm /var/preserve/Exaa * (one space left between Exaa and * )
Now guess what; Pack your Bag and Go to Home silently...
Do you know what happens; who cares...
Only one question left:
Did you do that???
and answer: God, Help me please confirm I've got a good Tape Backup ...Haan..





I assume no responsibiltity if using tips from this page; breaks your system down.