Protools Backup, Deleting the old files in PT Options

[Bloot]

I'm running ProTools 002 on a G5, and I'm so far OK for memory on the separate HD. However, I've discovered that any song file will work quite happily on the latest version of audio files that PT creates, so in a couple of instances I've deleted the old audio files - the song still comes up OK, but it brings up a menu to recreate the deleted files, or search for them.
Somewhere I have already reduced the number of backup files to keep, perhaps in preferences/options or similar.
Could anyone advise how I can "normalise" the current reduced version of the song file.
I'd like to keep the 'multitrack' versions of songs as well the mixes, but I need the files to be as small as reasonably possible.
many thanks,
Bloot

[coldharbour]

Maybe I just don't understand your question, here's one more try on how I do it :

1. I have a very long audio file containing for instance several takes of a song vocals
2. I edit the file down to regions so the track only contains the parts I want to use
3. i selec the parts and "Consolidate Selection" - now I have only the needed parts of the original file in a new, much smaller file
4. I select the original, long file and delete it in ProTools (Command+Shift+B)
5. When I later on re-open the session PT doesn't ask for missing files because they have been deleted in PT using the PT file deletion command - surely that can be be found in the manual

Hope this helps.