Deleting tmp folder
 

So, my tmp_1 folder is 3.4+ gb.... is that folder safe to remove? all I have seen there are ###.thumb and ###.attach filenames with a number at the beginning. I am assuming they are references to maybe loaded files?
Anyway, a bit of guidance will be great.

Dont delete

fair enough!
However, from a learning stand point, what are those files for?

tmp folders normally keep temporary files and as such can be emptied when the application(s) are finished using them

Depends what the files / folder are

They may be session files (which can be deleted).
If I check my sites tmp directory, I have:
awstats
bandwidth
etc.....
If you have these kinds of thing, I wouldn't delete them.

Bottom line is you can probably delete some of the stuff, but
use extreme caution ....

Oddly enough, my 'temp' folder is completely empty besides a few log files I custom setup there.

Can you go to your http://yoursite.com/admincp/avatar.php?do=storage and check where the avatars, etc are being stored? Same with http://yoursite.com/admincp/attachment.php?do=storage

"Attachments are currently being stored in the filesystem at tmp_1"

Thanks!

;) Then it should not be removed.. It'll remove all the attachments (and possible avatars if in the same directory) of all users.

Oh yeah! I do agree!!!!
it took me 3 hours to back up that 3.40some gb folder....

You should have a folder called tmp before your root folder the one you have, seems to be a custom one that was made to store attachments the one before your root folder this was the one I thought you were talking about the first time but yes if attachments are being stored there don't delete