MIN.DAT: How to Fix, Download, and Update

Last Updated: 12/05/2024
[Reading Time Required: 3.5 minutes]

MIN.DAT uses the DAT file extension, which is more specifically known as a Game Data file. It is classified as a Dynamic Link Library (Game Data) file, created for Test Drive 5 by Accolade, Inc..

The initial introduction of MIN.DAT released in Test Drive 5 was for Windows 10 on 11/07/1997. This file release marks the latest and most updated version from Accolade, Inc..

This article discusses complete file details, DAT file troubleshooting instructions for problems with MIN.DAT, and a comprehensive set of free downloads for every file version that has been catalogued by our team.

File Analysis Provided by Jason Geater (Author)


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File Overview


General Information
File Name: MIN.DAT
File Extension: DAT file extension
File Type: Dynamic Link Library
Description: Game Data
User Popularity Rating:
 
Developer and Software Information
Software Program: Test Drive 5
Developer: Accolade, Inc.
Software: Test Drive
Software Version: 5
File Details
File Size (Bytes): 874684
Oldest File Date: 12/20/2019
Latest File Date: 12/20/2019


What are MIN.DAT Error Messages?


Dynamic Link Library MIN.DAT Errors

MIN.DAT is considered a type of Dynamic Link Library (DLL) file. Dynamic Link Library files, like MIN.DAT, are essentially a "guide book" that stores information and instructions for executable (EXE) files - like AppInstaller.exe - to follow. These files were created so that multiple programs (eg. Test Drive) could share the same MIN.DAT file, saving valuable memory allocation, therefore making your computer run more efficiently.

Unfortunately, what makes DLL files so convenient and efficient, also makes them extremely vulnerable to problems. If something happens to a shared DAT file, either it goes missing or gets corrupted in some way, it can generate a "runtime" error message. Runtime is pretty self-explanatory; it means that these errors are triggered when MIN.DAT is attempted to be loaded either when Test Drive is starting up, or in some cases already running. Some of the most common MIN.DAT errors include:

Your MIN.DAT file could be missing due to accidental deletion, uninstalled as a shared file of another program (shared with Test Drive), or deleted by a malware infection. Furthermore, MIN.DAT file corruption could be caused from a power outage when loading Test Drive, system crash while loading MIN.DAT, bad sectors on your storage media (usually your primary hard drive), or quite commonly, a malware infection. Thus, it's critical to make sure your anti-virus is kept up-to-date and scanning regularly.



How to Fix MIN.DAT Errors in 3 Steps (Time to complete: ~5-15 minutes)

If you're encountering one of the error messages above, follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve your MIN.DAT issue. These troubleshooting steps are listed in the recommended order of execution.


Step 1: Restore your PC back to the latest restore point, "snapshot", or backup image before error occurred.

To begin System Restore (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. When you see the search box, type "System Restore" and press "ENTER".
  3. In the search results, find and click System Restore.
  4. Please enter the administrator password (if applicable / prompted).
  5. Follow the steps in the System Restore Wizard to choose a relevant restore point.
  6. Restore your computer to that backup image.

If the Step 1 fails to resolve the MIN.DAT error, please proceed to the Step 2 below.

Step 2: If recently installed Test Drive (or related software), uninstall then try reinstalling Test Drive software.

You can uninstall Test Drive software by following these instructions (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. In the search box, type "Uninstall" and press "ENTER".
  3. In the search results, find and click "Add or Remove Programs"
  4. Find the entry for Test Drive 5 and click "Uninstall"
  5. Follow the prompts for uninstallation.

After the software has been fully uninstalled, restart your PC and reinstall Test Drive software.

If this Step 2 fails as well, please proceed to the Step 3 below.

Test Drive 5

Accolade, Inc.

Step 3: Perform a Windows Update.

When the first two steps haven't solved your issue, it might be a good idea to run Windows Update. Many MIN.DAT error messages that are encountered can be contributed to an outdated Windows Operating System. To run Windows Update, please follow these easy steps:

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. In the search box, type "Update" and press "ENTER".
  3. In the Windows Update dialog box, click "Check for Updates" (or similar button depending on your Windows version)
  4. If updates are available for download, click "Install Updates".
  5. After the update is completed, restart your PC.

If Windows Update failed to resolve the MIN.DAT error message, please proceed to next step. Please note that this final step is recommended for advanced PC users only.



If Those Steps Fail: Download and Replace Your MIN.DAT File (Caution: Advanced)

If none of the previous three troubleshooting steps have resolved your issue, you can try a more aggressive approach (Note: Not recommended for amateur PC users) by downloading and replacing your appropriate MIN.DAT file version. We maintain a comprehensive database of 100% malware-free MIN.DAT files for every applicable version of Test Drive. Please follow the steps below to download and properly replace you file:

  1. Locate your Windows operating system version in the list of below "Download MIN.DAT Files".
  2. Click the appropriate "Download Now" button and download your Windows file version.
  3. Copy this file to the appropriate Test Drive folder location:
    Windows 10: C:\Program Files\Accolade\TD4demo\COMMON\CARDATA\
    Windows 10: C:\Users\Tester\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\Accolade\TD4demo\COMMON\CARDATA\
  4. Restart your computer.

If this final step has failed and you're still encountering the error, you're only remaining option is to do a clean installation of Windows 10.


GEEK TIP : We must emphasize that reinstalling Windows will be a very time-consuming and advanced task to resolve MIN.DAT problems. To avoid data loss, you must be sure that you have backed-up all of your important documents, pictures, software installers, and other personal data before beginning the process. If you are not currently backing up your data, you need to do so immediately.



Download MIN.DAT Files (Malware-Tested 100% Clean)


CAUTION : We strongly advise against downloading and copying MIN.DAT to your appropriate Windows system directory. Accolade, Inc. typically does not release Test Drive DAT files for download because they are bundled together inside of a software installer. The installer's task is to ensure that all correct verifications have been made before installing and placing MIN.DAT and all other DAT files for Test Drive. An incorrectly installed DAT file may create system instability and could cause your program or operating system to stop functioning altogether. Proceed with caution.

Windows 10


Files Related to MIN.DAT


DAT Files Related to MIN.DAT

File Name Description Software Program (Version) File Size (bytes) File Location
FontCache-S-1-5-18.dat Game Data Test Drive 5 8388608 C:\Windows\System32\WDI\{86432a0b-3c7d-4ddf-a89...
cache.dat Game Data Test Drive 5 293584 C:\Windows\Panther\UnattendGC\
9WZDNCRFJBD8.dat Game Data Test Drive 5 4886 C:\Windows\Temp\ED0AF2C7-EC2D-4313-8B94-69924EC...
69V.DAT Game Data Test Drive 5 1264348 C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\...
settings.dat Game Data Test Drive 5 8192 C:\Windows\System32\

Other Files Related to MIN.DAT

File Name Description Software Program (Version) File Size (bytes) File Location
setupact.log Log Test Drive 5 62521 C:\Windows\Panther\UnattendGC\
WmiApRpl.h C/C++/Objective-C Header Test Drive 5 3444 C:\Windows\System32\wbem\Performance\
diagerr.xml Extensible Markup Language Test Drive 5 5718 C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\Panther\
dpnlobby.dll Microsoft DirectPlay8 Lobby Microsoft® Windows® Operating System (10.0.16299.15) 5120 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\
SCHEMA.DAT Game Data Test Drive 5 12582912 C:\Windows\System32\SMI\Store\Machine\


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