Cleaning up IE Files

FuzzDuckie · Joined: Dec 13, 2002 Posts: 1005

I was just speaking with a friend of mine- she is now enamored of the Geek Squad...and here's why:

she said that they gained back 2 Gigs of her drive by removing all traces of any temp internet files etc. I don't know what software he used to do this she didn't tell me. She claims she does clean out her caches religiously (I'm assuming via scan disk as well as the usual IE cleaning). Interesting how he went and did all that when the only problem she was having was that the computer was not recognizing the C: Drive (it was a loose IDE cable-- and the only reason she does not go into the compy is because she is blind- or rather very severely vision impaired and also cannot open the case on her own)

My question is...is this so? Does a person have to get software in order to clean out their drive and gain back space? (I already know that reformatting is a bad idea just to regain space or so says this "geek squad worker"). Is it even worth the $$ to do this?

Is is really that necessary to obliterate deleted files from the computer? Maybe it does if it helps speed up the computer.

Didn't know what catagory to fit this in. Am interested in opinions about this.

Thanks

Gary66 · Joined: Sep 01, 2005 Posts: 8353

Quote:

My question is...is this so? Does a person have to get software in order to clean out their drive and gain back space? (I already know that reformatting is a bad idea just to regain space or so says this "geek squad worker"). Is it even worth the $$ to do this?

There is no need whatsoever to reformat to recover drive space as you will recover it all. Shocked

There are several programs that are free that can do this. One is Ccleaner available Here. You also can just do a search for *.tmp files and delete them. One can also have IE set to clear out the IE Internet cache every time IE is closed. That feature is available in the advanced tab of IE.

Other drive cleaners can be found Here

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That's the most rediculous thing I've read in ages.
It should have been posted in the Humor section.
Thanks, I've needed a good laugh all day. Laughing

The Geek Squad is the biggest JOKE in the computer industry! Evil or Very Mad

They have been written up several times here in the LG forums for their shoddy workmanship.

As for deleting junk, there is a program already built right into Windows XP that does a pretty fair job of doing that.
It's aptly called "Disk Cleanup" and its found in the System tools folder.

It leaves a few junk files untouched but not many and does a fairly good job.
I wanted a bit more so I wrote my own cleanup program.
I called it "XPCleanup.bat". Anyone who knows how to write a batch file can write their own.

It gets things ignored by most of the other so-called cleanup programs.
When tuning up my customers PC's, I put a shortcut to my XPCleanup.bat program right in their "Startup" folder, so they get a FREE cleanup every time they turn their computers ON.

NO ONE has to go to the Geek Squad for a HD cleanup. Laughing

I'm surprised they didn't delete the whole HD. They are famous for things like that.

Good Luck,
Shadow Cool

usasma · Joined: May 06, 2003 Posts: 5007

I use TheShadow's cleanup batch file for serious cleanups - and use CCleaner (as mentioned by Gary66) for normal, day to day operations. And I never have the connection problems that a lot of folks complain of. I attribute this to:
1) My caution when surfing (I'll shut down the system rather than click on a popup)
2) My rigorous cleaning of Temporary Internet Files
3) And my handsome profile, ingenious wit, and charming personality (well, OK, I made that part up! Smile

)

patio · Joined: Feb 03, 2004 Posts: 5598

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Mr_Cranky_Pants · Joined: Jun 12, 2003 Posts: 54

There is a small, fine, easy to use program out there best of all it's FREE and it doesn't see require a lot of tinkering.

It's called "Disk Cleaner" http://www.diskcleaner.nl

It's small, effective, simple and just and all around joy to use. It can be set for silent operation, one click and it's done. You set it up the first time, name the profile then set it for automatic operation.

Give it a try, you can't go wrong with free and it automatically detects what programs leave temp files or you can manually configure it. Effective, flexible and free, how can you go wrong.

Temoshi · Joined: Dec 07, 2002 Posts: 8

I am a pc repair tech at a local computer repair shop here in Indiana. We have had at least 10 times in the last month had customers bring in their computers saying that the geeksquad told them one thing was wrong with their computer and then it ends up being something completely different.

That aside, they may have just cleaned out the temp folder of the root directory or assuming it is windows xp the temp folders for each user in the hidden folder local settings that is in each folder of different users in the documents and settings folder. Emptying your internet cache doesn't delete anything from those folders and over time by installing programs there could easily be 2 gbs of temporary data in them. Also if you do decide to use Ccleaner I would be sure to uncheck the Old Prefetch Data option under windows system because if you don't it will delete all the prefetch information on your computer. That may make your boot time increase considerably.

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jeffeverett · Joined: Jan 15, 2008 Posts: 13

I agree as i always empy my prefetch file , most of it is useless stuff that gets dumped there anyways !! Dont depend on your computer doing its cleanup that you have set up for the middle of the night while everyone is sleeping {disk clean up and scandisk} it may not always work !! I clean mine everyday as it only takes seconds. Msconfig my startup programs and settings and i never have problems, i use avg and also never have problems even though i shut my email scan off !! Maybe im just lucky and all the walls will come tumbling down on me someday !!

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1134 Location: Central FL, USA

Yeah, I've also found the need for the prefetch info is greatly over-rated.

Mine gets dumped on every boot (at least once a day)

Do leave the email scanner ON, if it's not conflicting with anything.
Having that little message on the bottom of your emails, stating that the email was scanned by AVG and found to be clean, is really heart warming.
That and the Active Scanner are the two most valuable parts of that program.

What most people, 99% anyway, don't realize is that M$ has already given them sufficient tools to keep their HD's clean and running smoothly.

Disk Cleaner does a great job of removing the junk files and defrag is more than sufficient for keeping the HD defragged and organized.

For the techie, "Easy Cleaner 2" is hard to beat for cleaning out junk from the HD and then cleaning out the Registry. I run it at least once a week as part of a regular maintenance routine. Did I mention, it's FREE?

Computer maintenance isn't Rocket Science, but does demand a certain amount of effort on the part of the user.

It certainly does NOT require the efforts of "The Geek Squad". Wink

Cheers Mates!
The Doctor