Weird Mac files start with "$" | FerrariChat

Weird Mac files start with "$"

Discussion in 'Technology' started by Scotty, Dec 1, 2013.

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  1. Scotty

    Scotty F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 31, 2003
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    Oregon
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    Scotty Ferrari
    #1 Scotty, Dec 1, 2013
    My wife was looking for a file on our iMac, and couldn't find it. We ended up finding it the trash, and it had been renamed with a file name that would look like "$RNDKGY". Interesting the dollar sign, and the all caps.

    Here's the thing--neither of us put it there, and there are a bunch of other things (folders, documents, photos, etc.) in the trash that shouldn't be there, and they all have file names that start with "$" and then have all caps following. I've been searching, and coming up empty.

    Anyone have any thoughts re: what is going on?
     
  2. JJ

    JJ F1 World Champ

    Jan 6, 2010
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    #2 JJ, Dec 2, 2013
    I'm not a Mac guy, but these sound like temp files that have been deleted.
     
  3. rampar

    rampar Rookie

    Nov 1, 2008
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    Ramin Mahmoodi
    #3 rampar, Dec 4, 2013
    Temp files don't go to the trash can though...Your best bet is to make an appointment at an Apple Store and have the look over it. You could have malware or a virus somewhere (they do exist for Macs).
     
  4. Reebzy

    Reebzy Rookie

    Dec 15, 2013
    1
    #4 Reebzy, Dec 15, 2013
    $ signs do generally mean temp files, and they will be automatically cleaned up by the system.

    Your original files should still exist, provided you did a correct "Save As" last time you touched them. For example, your photos should still be sitting in PhotoBooth (or your preferred photo app).
     
  5. Bas

    Bas Four Time F1 World Champ

    Mar 24, 2008
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    #5 Bas, Dec 31, 2013
    Download CCleaner and run it. I use it once a month or so, clean up my registry and other misplaced files. Runs in a matter of seconds.

    Recommended for everyone really. I've used it for years and my PC has never run cleaner. Free to use.


    CCleaner - PC Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download
     
  6. barabba

    barabba Formula Junior

    Jun 7, 2007
    683
    Ticino / Zurich
    #6 barabba, Jan 8, 2014
    mac has no registry...
     

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