Files with a DAT extension *should* be ignored by the state manager but I
agree this does sound very much as if the state manager is at work and
archiving a copy of the deleted file to the system restore archive on C:.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP [2001-2005]



Noel Paton wrote:

Are you sure that System Restore is properly disabled?
change your folder options so that you can see Hidden and System
files/folders, and look at the properties of the C:\_Restore folder -
how big is it?

Is the E: partition on the same physical drive as the C: partition?

What does SCANDISK report about the drive (either E: or C? if there
are *any* bad sectors, then it's time to replace it!

and what is your AV?