Cannot clear browser cache (XP, IE8)

[WC5P]

The computer in question is a netbook, so it has a marginal processor (Intel Atom) and limited memory (2 gigs) and is not upgradeable. As such, it has been pretty much brought to its knees by Service Packs and Windows updates, so it is subject to Internet Explorer lockups and ungraceful shutdowns. After the last lockup, it wants to go back to earlier cached versions of web pages. I have been able to resolve the issue with a few websites, but not with some of the national news sites. I can clear the cache until I am blue in the face, but it still wants to go back to several day old news.

I am trying to avoid reinstalling Windows again because it is a pain in the butt and takes a really long time to do on this computer.

Any words of wisdom on this ?

[KC8RLU]

I'm not entirely sure if this will work on a netbook, but I would try using CCleaner or PC Decrapifier to clear out the cache and temporary files. Somtimes Internet Exploder can be a bit fussy and not want to cooperate. So far, CCleaner has worked well for me on my laptops and desktops.

73s de KC8RLU.

[WS9K]

I also recommend CCleaner

http://www.piriform.com/CCLEANER

I Mircosoft internet exploder is a spyware/malware magnet

I would recommend trying FIREFOX to surf the web
73
Derek

[KC8RLU]

Nah, I'd rather go with Chrome than Firefox, unless there are certain plug-ins/add-ons that require FF to run. Only reason why is because how much FF has become such a memory (RAM) drain and resource hog. If you choose to stick with FF, I'd recommend downloading an earlier version, say, 4.x through 7.x. Chrome is a bit more forgiving and doesn't gobble up as much RAM when you use it. Under XP, if you look at the Task Manager while FF is running, it eats up about >100MB when idle, not including the plugin-container.exe file required for Flash content.

73s de KC8RLU.

[WC5P]

CCleaner seems to have done the job.

Thanks RLU

73

[KC8RLU]

No problem.

73s de KC8RLU.

[WA9SVD]

No problem.

73s de KC8RLU.

With XP and 2 GB of memory, there's no reason "Service Packs" and updates should have a significant impact upon performance. (A Netbook isn't going to function as well or as fast as a true laptop, but should still run the software according to it's processor speed and internal cache.)

What's MORE likely, is all kinds of software running in the background. Try running "msconfig" from the command line. You will probably see all kinds of "junk" that's not needed and balks down the computer. Carefully remove all but the essential processes/programs, and you'll be amazed at the speedup. But be careful, and keep a record of what you deactivate, in case it turns out to be something useful.

You might consider a different Internet Browser; IE8 especially consumes a lot of resources and may be the major roadblock in your system, especially if you leave it running in the background (i.e., minimized) much of the time, and don't clear the history and temp files frequently.

[KA9JLM]

One problem with the original netbook OS software is that it is not a Full blown XP system.

There are limits on the amount of Tasks that can be running. Msconfig may not even work on many computers.

It sucks, but they sell them, so that you will upgrade the OS to make them work under normal use.

[WA9SVD]

One problem with the original netbook OS software is that it is not a Full blown XP system.

There are limits on the amount of Tasks that can be running. Msconfig may not even work on many computers.

It sucks, but they sell them, so that you will upgrade the OS to make them work under normal use.

Not sure, but YMMV. The "nutbooks" [sic] here were provided with XP Home or later XP Home Premium (whatever THAT means.) It functions just as well and has the same capabilities as the same version of XP as on a traditional desktop.

[KC8RLU]

The problem with "msconfig" is that is isn't as thorough compared to CCleaner, even though they both do the same thing. The latter allows you to not only disable/enable entries, but you can also safely remove it; the former, you can't remove without uninstalling the app/program. But WA9SVD is right in regards to checking any background things loading up or needing to run at startup; they could be bogging down the netbook.

Actually, IE8 is much leaner in its design. It's the temporary files and such that bloat IE's performance. I personally just don't use IE due to how vulnerable the security is.

73s de KC8RLU.