When you have to add another driver, Windows, in its infinite stupidity, has to reload the same support files that are already loaded. The %windir%\\Options\\cabs lets you avoid the "insert your distribution cd" business.

If you have any intention of adding *ANY* new hardware to the system, either leave the install cabs there, or be really sure that you know where the installation cd is kept.

Keep in mind that the easiest way of fixing munged network drivers is to delete them and scan for new hardware, letting the system reinstall the driver properly. This requires the install cabs.

I think that the .rar files may be an archive format that I haven't seen in a long time. They would likely be from some kind of an app. I don't think they are used by the OS. I could easily be wrong about this. You might check the registry to see what program is associated with the rar file type before deleteing them.

YAN .02

Hugh