Help Contents
Reclaim It! Help Contents

Getting Started

File Search

Find Duplicates

Log Files

Disk Space

Cluster Overhang

Quick Clean

Registering


Getting Started
Introduction

Reclaim It! is an inexpensive easy to use utility for 32bit Windows.  This program is designed to help you find and remove files that are just taking up space on your hard drive. If this is your first time using Reclaim It! please read the following and end-user agreement found in README.TXT.

Removing Files

Although this application contains a list of the more common file types. You can and may define your own when searching for files...but be aware, removing the wrong file(s) can cause unpredictable results. Here are some tips on how to remove files:

If you are ever in doubt about deleting a particular file then DO NOT DELETE IT.

If you feel uncomfortable about deleting files ensure that the SEND FILES TO THE RECYCLE BIN option is checked. This will allow you to restore any  files that may be needed later. (Remember, sending files  to the Recycle Bin will not free up disk space until you empty it.)

The following applies to DLL's. If you find duplicate files with matching file sizes, date, and a least one copy is located in the Windows or Windows System directory, then you can most likely delete the other ones.

DO NOT DELETE THE FOLLOWING FILES:
    - autoexec.bat
    - command.com
    - config.sys
    - win.ini
    - system.ini
    - Installers/Uninstaller files (e.g. st4unst.exe)
    - Most files found in the Windows directory (including sub folders)
    - Any files that you have to think about

Never attempt to remove a file that is currently in use. CLOSE ALL OTHER APPLICATIONS when using Reclaim It! This will  increase speed and performance.

Search Tips

Explore files prior to deleting them. Sometimes after viewing a file's contents you may decide to hold on to it for a little longer.

If you're still unsure about removing a file, simply move it to a different folder. Run the application associated with the file to ensure that no run-time errors occur. If the file is needed then all you have to do is move it back. (You can also use the Recycle Bin to do this.)

Use wild characters to better define your search. Reclaim It! supports the following characters * (Asterisk) and ? (Question Mark). SAMPLE1: C???.bmp   (this will search for files beginning with the letter C, name must be four characters long, and type bmp) SAMPLE2: *.* (this is used to search all the files)

Use F7 button when ever you need  refresh the screen. This will restore any values from the Result Section that disapear when the window is overlapped by another. When Reclaim It! is running please try to AVOID USING OTHER APPLICATIONS.

Hot Keys

CTRL+O	Open Log File
CTRL+P	Print
F1	Help Contents
F2	File Search
F3	Find Duplicates
F4	Disk Space
F5	Cluster Overhang
F6	Quick Clean
F7	Refresh


File Search

The File Search  is very powerful and easy to use tool.  Follow these steps when using the File Search:

Specify the search pattern (file types). I have included the more common file types, you may also use other types and implement wild characters to better define your search. Unlike prior versions of Reclaim It!, this version is limited to two search patterns per search session. Using the semi-colon to seperate file types will cause unpredictable results.

Select one of the three search types available. When using the FILES CREATED OR MODIFIED option, Reclaim It! will compare the date specified with the file's Modified date. If no Modified date is available, the file's Creation date will be used instead.

Enter a valid date in the proper text box. If using the HAVEN'T BEEN USED option then files NOT used on or after the date specified (matching the search pattern) will be checked. If using the HAVE BEEN USED option then all files used on or before the date specified (matching the search pattern) will be checked.

An optional file size can be entered. Only files larger that the size entered (in bytes) will be checked. Files smaller or equal to the size specified will be ignored.

Select the search location. All subdirectories in the folder specified will also be checked. For instance, if you choose C:\ as the search path then the entire drive will be checked.

Finally, select the search options that will benefit your search the most. If you are unsure about any settings then use the BRING UP VERIFICATION WINDOW and SEND ALL FILES TO THE RECYCLE BIN.

Search Results

The following information is displayed in the SEARCH RESULTS section:

Number of files matching the specified file type(s) - This displays the number of file matching the search pattern(s).

Number of files checked - This only applies when the BRING UP VERIFICATION WINDOW option is used. When a file is checked, the value is incremented by one.

Total bytes reclaimed - The total number of bytes from the files removed. (Bytes reclaimed will also appear when using the SEND ALL FILES TO THE RECYCLE BIN)

Number of  files removed - The total number of files removed.

After the search is complete, you may view the search log by clicking on the VIEW LOG button (you can also save logs for further use).


Find Duplicates

The Find Duplicates option is a very powerful and easy to use tool and works very much like the File Search option. The path specified and it's sub directories are scanned for duplicate files matching the specified  file pattern(s). After scanning the path, each pair (or more) is then displayed in the verification window along with the filename, file location, file size, file version, and last access date. When you find duplicate files,  you might want to delete one of the them. Never delete both (or all of them) unless you know for sure that you do not need them.  You can save disk space by replacing some duplicates with shortcuts. (This will not work with DLL's or any other file called from an application. Use shortcuts for files that you must manually open.)  Also, NEVER REMOVE FILES  located in the Windows or Windows System directory unless you know for sure that the file is not needed.


Log Files
Viewing Log Files

Log files are automatically  created when using the Duplicate Files and File Search. You can view the log file after the search has finished (or after aborting it) by clicking on the View Log button. If the log file is to large Reclaim It! will use WordPad to open it.

Saving Log Files

To save the current log file simply click on the Save button, the  Save As dialog will appear and prompt you to type in a valid file name. If you are using WordPad to view the current log file, you will need to save it in  either RTF or DOC format (the file is too large to  view with Reclaim It!, you will need to save it in one of these formats).

Opening Log Files

Click on File|Open Log File... or press Ctrl+O to display the Open File dialog.
If the file was saved using WordPad, you cannot view it using Reclaim It!


Disk Space

Use the Disk Space tool to view the space available on a specified drive. Disk Space displays the drive's total capacity, free space, used space, percentage used, bytes per sector, sectors per cluster, and total clusters.


Cluster Overhang

Use this tool to view the amount of space wasted  due to cluster overhang. The Cluster Overhang tool also displays the number of files scanned, total file sizes, actual space used, cluster size, percentage wasted, and bytes wasted.

Close all other  applications when using Reclaim It!, this will increase speed and performance. Please note that the Cluster Overhang does not include a Refresh option and any window overlapping it will  alter the display.


Quick Clean

Use this tool to quickly clean up temporary files left behind by other programs. Simply select the file extension(s) to search for and Reclaim It! will scan your hard drive for any matches.

Files in the Windows Temp Folder - Check this option to remove all the files stored in the Windows Temp directory.

IE 3.0 Temporary Internet Files - Check this option only if you have Microsoft's Internet Explorer 3.0 (it will delete all the files stored in the cache folders).

Send Files to the Recycle Bin - Check this option to send all matching files to the Recycle Bin. (Sending files to the Bin will not free up disk space until you empty it out.)

Sample Run - Check this option to scan your hard drive without removing any files. Quick Clean will return the total number of files found and the total file sizes.


Registering

Register and take advantage of all the features of Reclaim It!...but it doesn't stop there, as a registered user you'll receive unlimited upgrades for free. So why pay twice the price for a commercial application when you already have a high quality product on your hard drive waiting to work for you.  Registration has never been so easy, the following options are available:

Telephone Registration

Fax and Email Registration

Internet Registration

Postal Mail Registration


Telephone Registration

Phone Orders
Available 10 am - 8 pm, EST, Monday thru Saturday.
1-800-699-6395 (Calls from the U.S. Only.)
1-803-699-6395

Please Provide (or be prepaired to provide) the following information when ordering:

1..... The program you are registering (RECLAIM IT! VERSION 3.0)
2..... Your mailing address
3..... Your Visa, Master Card, or Discover # and it's expiration date (if using credit card).
4..... Your Email address (so NorthStar Solutions can send you an EMail confirming your order and so I can contact you easily with any important follow-up information, upgrade annoucements. etc.)

Registration Fee: $14.50
For Setup Disks please refer to Postal Mail Instructions.


Fax and Email Registration

FAX:
Available 24 hours. International and business orders encouraged.
1-803-699-5465

EMAIL:
America Online: STARMAIL
CompuServe: 71561. 2751
Internet: 71561.2751@compuserve.com

Please Provide the following Information:

1..... The program you are registering (RECLAIM IT! VERSION 3.0)
2..... Your mailing address
3..... Your Visa, Master Card, or Discover # and it's expiration date (if using credit card).
4..... Your Email address (so NorthStar Solutions can send you an EMail confirming your order and so I can contact you easily with any important follow-up information, upgrade annoucements. etc.)

Registration Fee: $14.50
For Setup Disks please refer to Postal Mail Instructions.


Internet Registration

Simply fill out the online form located at:
      Http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/starmail

Registration Fee: $14.50
For Setup Disks please refer to Postal Mail Instructions


Postal Registration Form
Reclaim It! 3.0 Postal Registration Form

Last, First Name:___________________________________________________
Address:_________________________________________________________
City:_____________________State:_______________ZipCode:____________
Email Address:___________________________________________________
[ ] Registration Key...........$13.00
[ ] Setup Disketted (3.5")..$16.00

Mail To:
Software Registration
10960 Lillian Lane, South Gate
C.A., USA 90280-7602

Checks Payable To:
Israel LeBron

Please Allow 3-7 days for any deliveries.
All transactions are final. Please read end-user agreement found in readme.txt