ignore_my_docs

ThinkerTDM · 01-07-03, 10:56 AM

On my cf card, there is a file named ignore_my_docs...what is it?

fade2black · 01-07-03, 11:21 AM

Pulled this off a website.

What is the "ignore_my_docs" file?

This is a zero byte file on their storage card or or ROM file store was created to help people who had trouble finding data on their storage card unless they had specifically created a \My Documents\ folder. So, the Pocket PC 2002 now looks at the storage card when you insert it. If \My Documents\ doesn't exist, it puts a hidden file called "ignore_my_docs" on the card. It also has done this to the HP Safe Store or iPAQ File Store. So, what does it do? Well, Pocket PC 2002 apps see this hidden file and look at the root of the storage card for everything. The file itself does not change in the process of acquisition.

Fade

ThinkerTDM · 01-07-03, 12:54 PM

Thanks Fade
Tom

01-07-03, 01:52 PM

Thanks Fade-

I had posted a similar question in another forum here.

my only complaint about the "ignore my doc" file is that it takes up alot of space on a 256 MB SD card.

My Axim only shows 241 MB available.

fade2black · 01-07-03, 03:02 PM

The ignore_my_docs file is a 0 byte file. The space you are seeing used on your card is overhead and formatting space, just like on a hard drive. I have a 128MB CF card and have a useable space of 121MB when it is empty.

Fade

commoved · 01-07-03, 08:17 PM

I love this site. I learn something new every day. :D

Forge · 01-08-03, 11:45 AM

Hi Phoenix:

Just to add to fade2black's comment, this is typical of storage devices. There's raw space and then there is formatted space. To track and locate files and such, a certain amount of space is set aside for this purpose. Think of it as a directory structure that says "this file is here, this file is there" on the device. You're desktop also 'suffers' from this. Its necessary overhead.

I also have a 256mb SD Card and it too shows 241mb. That's normal. Don't think of it as deceptive advertising though. Typically, there are different ways to format a storage device (file system) and depending on what you use, it will need more or less. In the case of the SD cards, my understanding is that it uses the file system with the least overhead - FAT12.

Hope this helps.

01-08-03, 12:25 PM

Thanks for the info FORGE

Much appreciated.

Kierne · 01-08-03, 08:03 PM

It's my understanding that the "ignore_my_docs" file can cause problems down the road and slow down file access. Most folks recommend creating a "My Documents" folder on the card and erasing the "ignore_my_docs" file, even if you don't put anything in it.

pigface · 01-08-03, 09:48 PM

I think it may fall under the catagory of what ever you like. I deleted my "ignore my docs" file as I didn't like the way Explorere read my CF card with it still on there.

Caspan · 05-30-03, 09:39 AM

Actually I just figured out another reason as to why that file is there. Have you ever used pocket word to open a document and you get the open dialog box which lets you select a file from your My Documents directory?? And for some reason Microsoft will only let you browse files on you My Documents folder from your ROM and SD or CF card to open. Now if you have a file called ignore_my_doc on your SD or CF or Built in storage and do not have a folder called My Documents then the open dialog will search the entire Storage Card with that file on it one folder deep for any documents pertaining to the applications extension. So now you don't have to save all your files in you my documents directory. I found this out with nester i just keep a dir on my SD card called NES ROM's and the program picks up the files in that directory because i have no folder called My Documents and teh file ignore_my_docs is there. But rember it will only go one folder deep to search for files, so if i had \SD Card\ROM's\Nes\ it would not find the files to open because it is 2 folders deep in the storage card.

05-30-03, 08:10 PM

I erased all of the "ignore_my_docs" files on my storage cards because I hated having 50+ folders show on the pull-down menu in Word and Notes. I keep lots of Notes of my Axim organized into lots of folders and it was cumbersome to sort through those plus all my program folders on my storage cards, just to find a particular Note or Word document. I prefer only to be able to "see" folders I have put into my "My Documents" folders.