cache and indexes

[RGCOMP]

I am getting a second hand computer that has been used by several people at an office and I want to ensure there is nothing "inappropriate" on it before using it at my home. Is there a way to access the data that is in your cache and index files? Is there a way to check this and remove any objectional material...for example someone told me to do this because there is a file somewhere in every computer that files all media images viewed on the comp. Thanks for your help.

 

[beedubaya]

Delete your History and Temporary Internet Files. This should clear you up. I've never heard of a file on every computer that manages every image viewed. That doesn't mean it doesn't exist, though.

 

[killians45]

No, its true. Just deleteing cache and history doesn't remove everything. Most often, the best thing is to get a cleaning program, or called privacy software. much of the viewed sites are hidden through out the registry. Granted not the images, but they can also be hidden in places.

 

[RGCOMP]

registry clean

So it is not just the index and cache that I will want to clean, but also the registry? Is there a way to view the registry to begin with to see if I need to purchase a program to clean it, or to ensure that it is clean? Are there any programs you would recommend that would solve this problem(freeware)? Since this will be a family computer I would like to make sure that there is nothing objectionable on it hidden or not. Thanks for your help so far!

 

[Lone Wolf]

No, its true. Just deleteing cache and history doesn't remove everything. Most often, the best thing is to get a cleaning program, or called privacy software. much of the viewed sites are hidden through out the registry. Granted not the images, but they can also be hidden in places.

Killian45, i agree with most of your postings but I definitely disagree with this. Given that RGCOMP is not very comptuer literate to begin with I doubt that he/she is going to have the skill to properly edit the registry - it's a risky proposition. The registry does NOT contain photos of any porn pictures or websites. There is a key that contains the URL for the most recent visited URL but that's all they are - just URLs. If you delete the TIF and the history file - that is sufficient, the average user will not know where to look for those URLs in the registry.

RGCOMP, there is no need for you to meddle around w/ the registry. It sounds to me you are not very computer literate and editing the registry is definitely NOT recommended for any novice.

As for your concern that there's going to be some "objectionable" pictures hidden on that PC, do as beedubaya suggested - clean out your TIF and Internet history files.

 

[killians45]

oh no, not saying it contains PICTURES, saying it will contain information on visited links and sights. I'm more apt to say to GET a registry cleaner, but what I mean is that there can be links to visited places hidden within the registry. usually, though, that is done through some sort of spyware. I wrote earlier to get a registry cleaner, I ran one once and was astounded by some of the crap it found! No, DEFINATLEY dont edit the registry unless you know what you are doing. Thats why I told him to get a cleaner. Sorry, thought I had made that one clear

 

[killians45]

http://www.****microsoft.com/content/ms-hidden-files.shtml#2

hey lone wolf, check this site out. I've seen talk of this before, as far of its truth, I dont know... haven't really cared either way. If ms wants to know my browsing habits more power to em Anyhow, this is some of what the person is talking about. I dont know if it has any merit... or if he is just ranting about MS because he's disgruntled.

 

[Lone Wolf]

whoa dude, that webpage doens't come up at all.... it's an invalid URL... www.***microsoft.com hmmm.....

Killian, sorry i suppose i should have worded that a bit differently. I know you weren't saying that the registry contains pictures... i guess i was trying to emphasize the point that the registry contains URLs of recently visited websites because after you had posted RGCOMP posted back and seemed to convey interest in cleaning the regstry in order to delete "ojbectionable" photos. Whatever that might be.

 

[killians45]

Oh GOD, I hope he didn't! lol, that would be bad. Thats odd, that page is invalid for me now, too. Hmm.... well, I've read other things similar. I think that is what he is talking about. Like I said, though, I dont know the credibility of these "ultra secret files that can only be accessed in DOS". Sounds like MS conspiracy theories to me Supposedly some of these files aren't accessible in windows, even when hidden files is enabled, u can only see them in DOS and have to guess at the names due to random naming conventions, but they are usually located in one of several different sub folders. I'll see if I can find a working link later...

 

[smartech]

Listen, RGCOMP, I agree with what said above, but for my opinion, if you want a comletely clean computer, without any bugs, viruses ,suspicious URLs, history and registry items, just format the hard disk, and then reinstall windows and whatever you want else on fresh computer.