IE6 index.dat problem

[denbigh97]

I'm running WinXP Home with IE6...and I deleted all of the index.dat's that I found on my computer in order to get rid of the history. While IE6 still works perfectly, but it doesn't seem to replace the deleted index.dat's with new ones. So I don't have any index.dat files! So, should I not worry about this? Someone please help me. I have no idea how to get those index.dat's back, as IE6 doesn't seem to regenerate them like I thought it would. Any replies would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[PAndersen]

Probably, the index.dat files exist as hidden files.
If you have disabled AutoComplete, Cookies .. some of the files may be empty.

 

[Marcs41]

Why would you delete index.dat files if there is a button in the internet options to clear history.
Be very careful with what you delete manually! This time you may delete something critical! The solution is out there.

 

[PAndersen]

Sometimes that button does not work (See many threads on history.) and it may be a good idea to delete index.dat files. New files will be created by IE.

 

[Marcs41]

Granted, but the poster does not mention this button not working in the first place. I just wanted to warm him not just to delete things without trying the 'normal' way first. The solution is out there.

 

[carrr]

You can't delete your index.dat files, per se, as IE will always rebuild them. PAnderson is right. You can onlu clear them via cleaner programs or through DOS commands because the History clear function doesn't impact your index.dat's and you cannot delete the .dat's directly. You can dump your cookies, purge your url drop down, and clear your history, but the index.dat's (there are three of them...under History, Cookies, and Temp) still hold the goods. I blow my dat's out as a mater of habit every few days. Try opening them in Excel sometime and see where you've been

 

[denbigh97]

I've tried the clear history and clear cookies buttons...but whenever i type a letter into the Address bar, there would still be a few URL's popping up. That's why I just went ahead and deleted the index.dat's. Windows/IE didn't give me any errors when I deleted them....maybe because I'm only person that ever uses this computer (administrator?).

PAndersen, I disabled Autocomplete...but I also have Windows show all hidden files. And I still don't see the index.dat's. I've even went to DOS, and attrib *.* to see if there's anything Windows isn't showing me. Same results...no index.dat's.

 

[carrr]

Have you tried doing Start, Find, index.dat?
Also, to really get rid of those annoying url's that still linger in your address bar, try this:

Start, Run, Regedit, HKEY_CURRENT_USER, Software, Microsoft, Internet Explorer, Typed URLs, and delete them here.

There's really no need to sweat the index.dat's. All they do is archive, and they're there...whether you're finding them or not.

 

[carrr]

By the way...index.dat files appear to be hidden by default, at least in XP as far as I can tell from different articles, so you're probably just not picking them up. Also, have you run Explorer since you deleted them? They're not recreated until Explorer is run again.
I'm interested in how you deleted them in the first place, unless you did it in DOS, as they're locked by default when Windows is running and you can't delete them.

 

[denbigh97]

carrr, I deleted the index.dat's just like any other file...hit Del and sent it to my recycling bin, and emptied it. I have also ran IE afterwards, and rebooted the computer...but I still don't see any index.dat's in my c:\documents and settings\user name\local settings\temp or in any of the subfolders within the local settings folder. I did a Find, and was able to find a few index.dat's that I did not remove...they are in c:\documents and settings\owner\cookies and c:\documents and settings\users name\cookies, favorites, and user data.

 

[cdogg]

denbigh97
Have you rebooted since you deleted the index.dat's? Did you make sure you have hidden and system files being shown?

It should get re-created by default, since it is a requirement for IE to run successfully. However, it might not show up until you reboot. Also, some systems may have more than one index.dat, although IE only needs one instance of it. You may have deleted one that wasn't in use, therefore won't get re-created. Enable hidden/system files and do a search on your entire hard drive. You should find at least one after rebooting...





~cdogg

"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
- A. Einstein

 

[carrr]

Hooookay....

denbigh97

I gotta know something. Are you, by chance, running WordPerfect on youyr pc?

 

[carrr]

Just for grins and giggles, read these FAQs:

http://www.pcmesh.com/internet-cleanup2.htm

This company, by the way, makes one of many good programs out there for sweeping your PC.

 

[cdogg]

denbigh97

Looks like your post went through after I had a chance to read it. It appears that you deleted an index.dat that wasn't in use.

My advice is to delete all the index.dat's that you have (of course pay attention to the path since you don't want to delete ones for Corel or MSOffice products). Chances are, you'll be left with one after rebooting and re-opening IE.


~cdogg

"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
- A. Einstein

 

[denbigh97]

I guess I must've deleted the index.dat's that's not needed by IE6.

Cdogg, I didn't know that IE only needs only one instance of index.dat. I had thought it needed at least two types of index.dat (32kb and 64kb).

Carrr, I don't have Wordperfect on my machine.

I guess I was just worrying for nothing? Thanks everyone for your responses!!

 

[carrr]

Ok, just curious, 'cause WordPerfect creates index.dat's for data merge and I thought maybe those were the one's being deleted. All's well that ends well, though...