I get a lot of folders created in my user/library/prefs folder with weird names like "è‰Ä" whenever I launch Photoshop.
They create themselves with garbled names and symbols, they don't contain any files (unless they are hidden) and I can usually just delete them without any problems. They only create themselves on my desktop and this doesn't happen on my laptop.
Does anybody know what these are, why they create themselves and is it a big deal?

Bump

Still looking for an answer if anyone has any ideas

My GUESS is that those files may be temporary files that were created by your scanning software and you can trash them with impunity.

(But you didn't give us much info. to go on!)

I do not scan from inside Photoshop which is probably why I don't get those files.

Michael,

As Ann says, those are files generated by your TWAIN scanning software or TWAIN plug-ins. If you scan outside of Photoshop, you can work on something else in Photoshop while the scanning application is scanning. If you remove the TWAIN drivers, the files will stop pestering you.

I'm fascinated by this issue as I have noticed the regular proliferation of oddly named preferences folders, all empty. I've trashed them with regularity and no subsequent issue but never thought to follow up on my curiosity. I suspect that Ann has identified the type and origin of those files but I'm still curious to find out more.

So my strategy, suggested by Oop over at Mac OS X Hints, is to add a folder action to my preference folder for a while which will notify me of any added files. It's simple enough to do, Just bring up the contextual menu and choose Attach A Folder Action... When the navigation window comes up choose one of the stock Folder Actions included in the AppleScript folder called "add - new item alert.scpt"

You may want to look here: <http://episteme.arstechnica.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/8300945231/m/312003056731>

and while you at it here as well <http://episteme.arstechnica.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/8300945231/m/696006856731>

I get these wierd preference folders all the time but the second article on corruption of hard drives through CS 2 worries me.

Ashley,

Those were great references, thanks.

Well I have a folder action placed on my User > Library > Preferences folder and trashed all the weirdo pref folders prior to starting my experiment. I launched both Photoshop CS2 and Illustrator CS2 and gave them both pretty thorough workouts. Imported via TWAIN (scanner), imported and exported paths between IL and PS, used many of my plugins, dragged and dropped between applications etc. etc. No strange pref's files have been created yet so my experience doesn't show PS or Illustrator to be the culprit so far.

I'll keep an eye on the issue for a while because my curiosity is definitely peaked.

Which scanner, and which scanning software, are you using Welles?

Following-up on Ashley's links:

I have removed all foreign-language files from the "Legal" folder which is installed with all Adobe applications.

I do all scanning from outside Photoshop and have disabled the CS2 TWAIN plug-in by putting a ~ (tilde) in front of its name.

I use NikonScan 4 and SilverFast Ai scanning software (but never Silverfast SE, Epson or VueScan).