"cleaning" your PC ....

labgrade · September 14, 2002, 11:37 PM

... without shooting it?

I've an older unit to give to a local pro-gun activist group. They'll do auto-dialing, etc. for alerts & all.

I don't want to reformat, but want to clean the "cache" before turning it over.

I've run through the IE5.+ TOOLS/INTERNET OPTIONS, deleted the files & cleared history + going into Explorer & manually cleared the pertinent files in HISTORY & TEMP INT FILES. Running '98SE

I've heard about The Cache & for the life of me can't see anything else I'd have to hit to clean out "my surfing history."

What else is there & how to go about doing it?

Sorry if too OT & anybody with recommendations is surely welcome to address in PM or at [email protected]

Thanks for whatever ...

Hkmp5sd · September 15, 2002, 02:36 AM

About the only other thing if you are worried someone may try to recover the deleted files is to overwrite them. Re-formatting would do that. A program such as Norton's Speed Disk with the "wipe unused space" feature checked would do that. Probably some shareware programs around that will do it also.

If you don't have any program to do it for you, you can manually simulate it. Defrag the hard disk. Empty the recycle bin. Copy some really big files onto the hard drive or install a few large games, etc. You can then uninstall or delete these files and your personal stuff should be gone.

labgrade · September 18, 2002, 11:45 PM

Thanks, KK, but aren't there "chache fules," or are the .temp files the same?

Not too concerned about any recovery (these guys aren't that PC literate

) - just don't want 'em layin' around.

**Mike Irwin** · September 19, 2002, 11:29 AM

Labgrade,

Since you're donating it, why not wipe the hard drive, run the disk scan to isolate any problem sectors, and reinstall the base software?

This way you give the group a PC with software that hopefully has no "time flaws" and hidden problems.

You also solve your porn er... cache problem.

OF · September 19, 2002, 11:37 AM

I highly recommend formatting the machine before donating it. Not only will you be sure all your stuff is gone, but the recipient will get a clean machine without any residual software problems. Most Windows (98, etc.) installs only last about 1-3 years or so before being in desparate need of being formatted.

That's my 2 cents...

- Gabe

DaleA · September 21, 2002, 03:49 PM

I *think* this is from ZDNet as a way to clean your computer if you are running Windows 95 or 98. I've put it into a bat file on my machine. Occasionally I do "Start" , "Shut Down", "Restart in MS-DOS mode" and then run the bat file.

deltree /y c:\windows\history\*.*
deltree /y c:\windows\tempor~1\*.*
deltree /y c:\windows\temp\*.*
deltree /y c:\windows\cookies\*.*
if exist del c:\windows\ff*.tmp
if exist del c:\windows\system\advert.dll

**NOTE**IMPORTANT**DANGER WILL ROBINSON**
If you run this the next time you come back to TFL you will have to put in your id and password.

The previous advice given in this thread is all good. Just formatting your hdd does not over write the data that's there and that data can be recovered. The defrag followed by copying large files around would probably work but the best would be (as Hkmp5sd suggested) to get a program like Norton that overwrites all the unused space. At that point your old files can't be recovered without massive effort and expense.

This post REALLY needs the following signature line...

Just because we're paranoid does mean they aren't out to get us.

September 14, 2002, 11:37 PM	#1
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	"cleaning" your PC .... ... without shooting it? I've an older unit to give to a local pro-gun activist group. They'll do auto-dialing, etc. for alerts & all. I don't want to reformat, but want to clean the "cache" before turning it over. I've run through the IE5.+ TOOLS/INTERNET OPTIONS, deleted the files & cleared history + going into Explorer & manually cleared the pertinent files in HISTORY & TEMP INT FILES. Running '98SE I've heard about The Cache & for the life of me can't see anything else I'd have to hit to clean out "my surfing history." What else is there & how to go about doing it? Sorry if too OT & anybody with recommendations is surely welcome to address in PM or at [email protected] Thanks for whatever ...

September 15, 2002, 02:36 AM	#2
Hkmp5sd Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2001 Location: Winter Haven, Florida Posts: 4,303	About the only other thing if you are worried someone may try to recover the deleted files is to overwrite them. Re-formatting would do that. A program such as Norton's Speed Disk with the "wipe unused space" feature checked would do that. Probably some shareware programs around that will do it also. If you don't have any program to do it for you, you can manually simulate it. Defrag the hard disk. Empty the recycle bin. Copy some really big files onto the hard drive or install a few large games, etc. You can then uninstall or delete these files and your personal stuff should be gone. __________________ NRA Certified Instructor: Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Home Safety, Personal Protection, Range Safety Officer NRA Life Member

September 19, 2002, 11:29 AM	#4
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	Labgrade, Since you're donating it, why not wipe the hard drive, run the disk scan to isolate any problem sectors, and reinstall the base software? This way you give the group a PC with software that hopefully has no "time flaws" and hidden problems. You also solve your porn er... cache problem. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

September 18, 2002, 11:45 PM	#3
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	Thanks, KK, but aren't there "chache fules," or are the .temp files the same? Not too concerned about any recovery (these guys aren't that PC literate ) - just don't want 'em layin' around.

September 19, 2002, 11:37 AM	#5
OF Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2000 Posts: 2,239	I highly recommend formatting the machine before donating it. Not only will you be sure all your stuff is gone, but the recipient will get a clean machine without any residual software problems. Most Windows (98, etc.) installs only last about 1-3 years or so before being in desparate need of being formatted. That's my 2 cents... - Gabe

September 21, 2002, 03:49 PM	#6
DaleA Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 5,313	I think this is from ZDNet as a way to clean your computer if you are running Windows 95 or 98. I've put it into a bat file on my machine. Occasionally I do "Start" , "Shut Down", "Restart in MS-DOS mode" and then run the bat file. deltree /y c:\windows\history\. deltree /y c:\windows\tempor~1\. deltree /y c:\windows\temp\. deltree /y c:\windows\cookies\. if exist del c:\windows\ff.tmp if exist del c:\windows\system\advert.dll NOTEIMPORTANTDANGER WILL ROBINSON* If you run this the next time you come back to TFL you will have to put in your id and password. The previous advice given in this thread is all good. Just formatting your hdd does not over write the data that's there and that data can be recovered. The defrag followed by copying large files around would probably work but the best would be (as Hkmp5sd suggested) to get a program like Norton that overwrites all the unused space. At that point your old files can't be recovered without massive effort and expense. This post REALLY needs the following signature line... Just because we're paranoid does mean they aren't out to get us.