[Aishah]

Thanks for simpler explanation, Machadinha - now I fully understand re defrag. business!
Vonkla - would it be enough for deleting cookies to do it via the Internet Options already installed? I only have GPRS and any downloads take me forever...I'm working with Windows XP

[machadinha]

Assuming you're working on IE 7, it comes with a "clean up the whole shebang" function (under >Extra >Options or something, called "clean browser history" I think, the one you're referring to) that should take care of it yes. It also allows you to be a little more specific about it if that's what you want.

Most browsers I know of will offer something similar, and usually under a similar button. Again, I manually run over some related folders from time to time, as stuff tends to get left behind regardless.

Fully agree with BB btw, with modern machines the gains of all that cleaning business will be marginal -- but it can't hurt, and I guess it becomes a habit. And besides, not all of us work on state-of-the-art equipment

And I agree there's all sorts of neat tools for this stuff, the thing is if you know how to use it you'd probably know where to find it, so it's a bit of a Catch-22 situation. Keep it simple, and don't stress yourself out over it. Last time I tried to explain something about security that person got rather worried I'm afraid, LOL

[Aishah]

Thanks Machadinha - will certainly do as you suggest. And as I mentioned before I am having it all checked out in a month's time
so will note these download options, and see if any benefit to mine, and in the meanwhile will just do the Tools options until then. My laptop is only a year old, so maybe none necessary. Thanks again everyone for suggestions.

[Aman]

Originally Posted by Aishah

When I was using Railways website and having trouble with it and they sent me a message suggesting I do a 'clean up' on my computer i.e. Go to Tools - Internet Options - Delete Cookies -Delete Temp Files - Clear History - click OK
Well I do these things from time to time but I don't do Clear History having the idea pages will come faster that I have previously visited etc.
Can one of IM's computer experts advise me if I click Clear History will it throw all out and my computer will become slower?
I am going to have a very nice check up in Delhi with computer but in the meanwhile.... I am noticing it is becoming a little more slow at times. Could be the GPRS (very erratic speeds) or should I 'Clear History'?
this is probably a very mundane question for experts but I'm not, and have too little knowledge. When in doubt I do nothing!

The problems and solutions can be:-
1) Sometimes the Cache memory(also called Temporary internet files) takes upto 100 MBs of space if u have not set it for less or for less days like 10 days and can also slowdown your internet as everytime you open a website it will search in your chache memory if it is there it will load page from there. But after some time it is faster to open new page from internet especially when there are changes.

2) Delete the cookies as they pose a security risk and some virus/trojans can extract your username/password from ur computer by reading these cookies. If u want to keep some cookies then use a good antivirus like
Norton internet security/ or free AVG antivirus(http://free.grisoft.com/)-its free and fast
Download 2 free software for time being:-

3) To change/delete settings about
Cache memory
Cookies
Visited URLs
Many other security settings
download a free tool "Internet washer" - http://www.eusing.com/Download/FIWWSetup.exe
or anyother good/paid tool.

4) Check whether you computer is still slow even When u r not using internet then either your Registry is corrupt or there is a virus/trojan or spyware in your computer.

To correct registry u can use the free tool
http://www.eusing.com/Freedownload/EFRCSetup.exe
or any other good/paid tool

To search for virus/trojan on ur system use any good antivirus.
Trojan/spyware is a very common problem when a computer slows down.

5) If you want to keep the history of links visited u can still delete the temp internet files, cookies and still keep the urls visited history using the tool above. but the best way is to bookmark important links and delete and refesh all temp internet settings.

6) Also install the new update or patches for internet explorer as it has so many loopholes which allows the virus to enter or better use Firefox (www.firefox.com)

Asiah when you will be arriving Delhi to tune up your computer?

Regards,
Aman

[Aman]

Also abt internet.....i was talking abt Reliance Data Card Internet. It is fast as data speed is good in CDMA mobiles(Code Division Multiple Access) then in GSM mobiles.
Only check that is there Reliance Network is there in your area and use it.
(search reliance data card in google)
Initially it will cost 3000 and then each month Rs 650 for 1 GB limit and Rs 1500 for unlimited download.
The benifit is Speed is good, it is wireless, u can roam anywhere in india freely doing internet at laptop.

Ofcourse if you are staying at one place then the Broadband internet by wire has more speed but then wireless is better than wire in terms of reliability.

[Aishah]

thanks Aman for all your hints - I did the 'clean up' with cookies, temp files and set History to 20 days - it is now o.k.
Half the problem I feel is GPRS connection via mobile phone - Broadband is not available here. I also have Dial-up landline .. when GPRS is terrible, I switch to that. I'll be in Delhi around Dec.7 -10 so will post dates on Delhi IM Meet-up thread and hopefully we might get to have an IM meet-up... would be nice to meet all the Delhiites who have been so helpful to me via IM!

[Dilliwala]

I am noticing it is becoming a little more slow at times

.
Have any of u geniuses (genii?) considered that aishah's comp MIGHT have a virus? Some of them have been known to slow down systems without actually doing other damage. It's a thought.

Originally Posted by Nick-H

It's probably a good idea to clear the cache from time to time, but I like to keep history for long, long, time --- it helps me get to those websites I can only remember a bit of.

Not a techie, but wudn't "Favourites/Bookmarks" be an option? Even safer?

[Nick-H]

Well, yes... except its often the sites you don't think at the time you want to see again...

And my bookmarks list (sort-of-structured into folders) is big enough for things to get lost in it!

[goangoangone]

Go to http://pcpitstop.com/pcpitstop/default.asp and test your setup. Advice is free and there's a forum of expert help.

[Aishah]

Thank you goangoangone!

[Aishah]

Clean-Up update - here is the result! After the computer expert did a great job, and cleared away a lot of built-up rubbish, my computer is functioning much faster and changing pages like a breeze! Thanks to him and the installed program 'Sytems Mechanic 5' I can now keep it in tip-top condition for another year. Many thanks to all for answers to my question.