Strange files appearing on root (in Finder)

[Wolfer]

I've got an issue that I'm hoping SOMEONE can help with as I hate to reinstall just for this, but. . .

 

I've been running 10.5.6 fine ever since it's release without issue. All of sudden, over the weekend I started getting files appearing the root on every boot. They appear as %20#%94# and <NULL>, which is ALWAYS 1.4MB in size. As I run more applications, more "%" files are created and written. I noticed when running Onyx that it no longer runs correctly at start and gives me 'Can't find DARWIN_USER_CACHE_DIR' even though it is there! I get one more AppleScript related error when entering the app, but then can use most of the app without issue. Files are being written to the cache, however, it appears that the files being written to the root are also some kind of cache files.

 

To date, I've been unable to correct. I've uninstalled all apps installed after I noticed the event. I've created other user accounts and they have the same problems. And, unfortunately, prior to noticing the events, I made a backup of the drive; and, yes, I checked it and it has the same issue. So, I'm stuck with a complete reinstall if I can't get rid of them as they just pile up.

 

You can delete them from Finder without any problem, but more keep appearing and as I said, after reboot, appear again.

 

Any one have any ideas? It appears to be something related to cache corruption -- if you ask me. But, don't ask me, 'cause I can't seem to solve it -- at least with the two days I've spent on it.

 

So, before I go and do some drastic, anyone?! PLEASE?!? Is there any way I can see what process is creating the files?

 

Thanks,

 

Wolfer