Yes you can delete all files and sub folders with digits in names. You will only receive message regarding running X server, that you cant delete his locked file. Also you can delete all files and folders from /tmp, but you must have root privileges. Mandriva will recreate only some of them on next boot. Also there is a boot option "clear /tmp in each boot" or similar. This will ensure erasing of all files and folders in /tmp at each boot. This you can enable at MCC->Boot->Setup how the systems boot-> Then you shut click on "Advanced" button and you will see this option. Then click "Next" and "Finish". Or you can made simple script to erase all files and folders on /tmp on each shutdown of PC. But this will be more difficult to find right place to save such script, because this must be done on each shut down with root privileges with stopped X server.
Regards,
Valentin

Thanks again. I will give it a try. I would upgrade to a newer version of Mandriva except that I have beeen led to believe that such an upgrade is not a simple process. I have a feeling that unless you are fairly expert in Linux, attempting such an upgarde is ill advised. Experience has told me that things will go wrong and I may lose files and settings http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...d.php?t=439247. Even something as simple as installing a graphics driver almost had me at the end of my rope http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...d.php?t=451625. Attempting a full OS upgrade would be suicidal (figuratively speaking) I feel.

You can copy all files from your home directory on another partition of your hard disk for backup purposes. Clean install of new version is not so difficult. Better wait for Mandriva 2008. I think release will be at end of October. You will be surprised how easy is installing with new graphical interface.

Best Regards,
Valentin

Thanks valyo. It seems the contents of /tmp was the cause of the ongoing problem. I deleted the directories in /tmp named with numbers and adjusted the boot setting as you suggested and no problems so far. Thanks a lot.

Is it too late to add a partition to my hard disk to allow me to duplicate my /home? Maybe you have to do this when you first install Linux on the hard disk?