index.dat How do you ......... 1

[kwunder]

How do I completely erase the info stored in the index.dat file. I use webroots cookie washer, but even after a wash & re boot, if i open index.dat in notepad, there is still some info in there ?

Cheers

kwunder

 

[reghakr]

kwunder

There's only one way to remove the history and TIF files. You need to go to DOS to do it. This is why I keep an old program from DOS 6.0. It's called Dosshell. It is very easy to navigate, just like Explorer. You can even drag and drop files if you've set up your mouse correctly to work in DOS. You'll need to navigate to c:\windows\history
and c:\windows\tempor~1 and to all the subfolder below these. I had one today at work that had 23 folders, each having an index.dat file of around 110K each. Check under the History.ie5 folder, you're sure to get a surprise.

This is why it can only be done with Dosshell. Even though the extra directories appear in DOS, you'll never see them in Windows. There could be 6 or 8 folders under the history and Temporary Internet Files folder itself. You'd never find them in regular DOS, beacause how are you going to guess names such as the ones under Temporary Internet Files. You have to delete every file (and you'll find more than 2, I'm sure)called index.dat to totally remove these entries.

Here's a link:

http://www.geocities.com/reghacker/98dosshell.zip

Place all files in the c:\windows\command folder.

reghakr

 

[Purd]

Thanks Reghakr I did as you suggested...have dosshell in C:\windows\command folder..went in and found the index.dat ..File delete but it would not allow me to do it?
Is there a way to delete the files that is not obvious ?
thanks Purdy

 

[kwunder]

Thanks reghakr.
Could you give me a few more tips. I am useless with dos. To start with, I am runnning Windows ME and there is no Restart in ms-dos mode option in the shutdown menu. Once in dos, what exactly do I have to type to get the dosshell program to work, and what do I type to navigate to the files I have to delete ?

Thanks for the link. I'm sure it'll be great, once I know how to use dos !!

thanks reghakr s-)

kwunder

 

[reghakr]

Sorry, it doesn't work with ME.
Here's a program that may help. i have not tested it:

http://www.the-ctrl-alt-del.com

http://www.the-ctrl-alt-del.com/utilities/Dosfix vs 2.0.exe

DOS Fix for Windows Millennium
Company Explanation File

This program will re-enable the hidden real-mode dos drivers in Windows Me , so after you use my patch you will be able to boot to dos via a very basic boot loader that I wrote into this new file. I have also included a new full undo feature into the file as well.

Extract the files contained in the ME Dos Fix file to a floppy disk.
Create a standard Windows Millennium start up disk
Re-boot your computer using the start disk
Choose option 4 (minimal boot)
Insert the disk containing the ME dos fix files (Hint: you can put these on your start disk)
Type RUN from the A prompt and follow the onscreen options.


reghakr

 

[kwunder]

Cheers reghakr. I've been away for the weekend, hence the delayed reply, so I'll give it a try out asap.

Thanks again

kwunder

 

[kwunder]

reghakr.......Right. I have run the patch, successfully. I then restart and choose dos from the options. Then I'm stumped. Like I said, I know nothing about dos. I tried to run the original prog you sent, but I'm typing c:\windows\command to get to where the exe is, but I get just a c:\> prompt. If I type c:\windows I get a bad command error. (you'll probably look at this and think wow what a thicko!). If you've time, could you give me step by step instructions on what to type please

Much appreciated

kwunder

 

[reghakr]

kwunder,

At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command, and pressing Y if you are prompted to confirm folder deletion:

cd\windows
deltree cookies
deltree history
deltree tempor~1
exit

NOTE: Be very careful, DO NOT deltree the Windows directory, make sure the prompts looks like this:

C:\WINDOWS\Cookies>
C:\WINDOWS\History>
C:\WINDOWS\Temporary Internet Files>

reghakr

 

[kwunder]

reghakr

Great stuff!!!

I did as you said and it worked a treat. When I restarted, I noticed that the cookies folder had been re created, along with an index.dat file (pressumably this is what should happen?), though when I opened index.dat in notepad, it was empty, as I wanted. I couldn't however delete the tempor~1 folder as when in dos, the keyboard was turning out different characters from the ones I get in the windows shell. Not a problem though, as cookiewasher takes care of that.

Thanks a lot !

kwunder

 

[reghakr]

kwunder,

No problem.
Did you type tempor~1?

reghakr

 

[kwunder]

Sorry, didn't preview my post.. What I couldn't type was the tilde (~) When i used it in dos, I got a blocky sort of colon instead. I tried a few other keys but no gave the ~.
As you can see, it works fine from within Windows.

kwunder

 

[kwunder]

reghakr,
Any ideas about that keyboard problem. I've just read your post to munichowl, and didn't realise there was other index.dat files in the system. I searched the HD for them and found the one in cookies, and also found one in
C:\windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\User Data. When viewed in notepad, this one still contains info. How do I delete this in dos using that deltree command ?

Thanks for the top help
kwunder

 

[reghakr]

kwunder,

Did you hit the SHIFT key to get the ~ character?

Only thing I can suggest for the keyboard is to turn off/on:
the Num Lock
the caps Lock

or try tapping the Insert key.

Yes, thre is one at C:\windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\User Data

I wouldn't worry about this one, it is not in use by Windows.

reghakr

 

[kwunder]

I've just been back into dos and tied the num/caps lock, without success. BUT, i've found the solution, sort of. I can get the tilde ~ if i press shift and ¬ . Strange or what. Anyway, it deleted all the tempor~1 files so MAGIC

Thanks reghakr for your spot on advice

Cheers
kwunder
(off now to start another thread about keyboard problems !)

 

[reghakr]

Glad you got it.

reghakr