index.dat reader?

[Steven Burn]

Shortly after posting, I did a lookup on MSFT. Things are as you said, but
consider there is also a problem...

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=140570

: Applications that use Wininit.ini should check for its existence in
: the Windows directory. If Wininit.ini is present, then another
: application has written to it since the system was last restarted.
: Therefore, the application should open it and add entries to the [rename]
: section. If Wininit.ini isn't present, the application should create it
: and add to the [rename] section. Doing so ensures that entries from
: other applications won't be deleted accidentally by your application.

...see that "should" everywhere? So you'll going to have all these
programmers around who don't read the shoulds, and don't ensure about not
deleting the entries of others. If you'd chosen to use this location,
then you'd have to deal with the index.dat deletion commands getting wiped
out by someone else.

</snip>

I read that quite a while ago. It's one of the main things that made me
decide "to hell with that".

I agree with you entirely, am sure the runonce key is the best solution.

Btw, I like that you make it so we can explicitly check on|off the runonce,
each time. It's a relief from the glee too many programs take, in trying to
sneak things into our auto-launch areas, without asking or telling.

</snip>

I wasn't originally going to, but then I realised how much I detested
programs that did that (whether they were meant to or not) and then decided
to let the user decide.

This decision was confirmed by an e-mail I received from a friend that also
suggested I have it as an option.

--

Regards

Steven Burn
Ur I.T. Mate Group
www.it-mate.co.uk

Keeping it FREE!

Disclaimer:
I know I'm probably wrong, I just like taking part ;o)

 

[omega]

Sorry Karen, my braincells seem to be on vacation. Any chance you can give a
bit more detail please?.

Just a standing complaint, pertains to my dislike of installers. They add a
bunch of clutter that I don't want, and have to clean up.

Main part of the standing complaint. When an installer is an exe that I
can't extract, I never know if it's going to hide files in there, with the
nasty plan of trying to sneak them into my sysdir. So I have to put off even
testing the program, until I'm prepared, not only to log carefully, but to
be able to restore from any changes to my system directory.

The solution is for a programmer to make available an install version
and a no-install version. Pleases both camps.

You've done this, so we're covered.

I whined anyway, over dealing with the annoyance of any installer.
Quadruple-up my thanks for your having released a noinstall version,
please, to override the generic complaint sound.

.. . .

I wasn't sure what you meant when you first mentioned this (I feel rather
stupid now). If my very very slow braincells are correct, you mean the
search box?. If so, I'll gladly add an option to have it remember the last
used path in a future version?.

I wonder what percentage of folks, ACF'ers at least, use custom paths
instead of default paths for the MSIE temp files? I have no guess
whatsoever, so don't know if it would be worth your extra work.

I've been trying to re-create this part (including all of them instead of
using customisation options) and for the life of me, I can't get it to
include them all unless I ask it to?.

I've run it numerous times. Always the same result: the run.bat includes
_all_ for delete (all msie, not win tmp). Tried every variation in doing it
I could think of, including for the one part I didn't understand: a tick on
or off on "use default file generation routine." More odd, with your results
being different, is that we're both using 98SE.

Hopefully someone else will report about their results in this area..?

 

[Steven Burn]

Just a standing complaint, pertains to my dislike of installers. They add a
bunch of clutter that I don't want, and have to clean up.

Main part of the standing complaint. When an installer is an exe that I
can't extract, I never know if it's going to hide files in there, with the
nasty plan of trying to sneak them into my sysdir. So I have to put off even
testing the program, until I'm prepared, not only to log carefully, but to
be able to restore from any changes to my system directory.

The solution is for a programmer to make available an install version
and a no-install version. Pleases both camps.

You've done this, so we're covered.

I whined anyway, over dealing with the annoyance of any installer.
Quadruple-up my thanks for your having released a noinstall version,
please, to override the generic complaint sound.

</snip>

I was considering offering a .CAB version aswell (just the cab without the
setup.exe and .lst file). By the sounds of it, this will be a good idea.
I'll work on it a little later and have one online by 4:30 this morning.
(hopefully sooner, I just have a few things to finish off first).

I wonder what percentage of folks, ACF'ers at least, use custom paths
instead of default paths for the MSIE temp files? I have no guess
whatsoever, so don't know if it would be worth your extra work.

</snip>

Anything that makes things easier for others, is worth my extra work ;o)

I've run it numerous times. Always the same result: the run.bat includes
_all_ for delete (all msie, not win tmp). Tried every variation in doing it
I could think of, including for the one part I didn't understand: a tick on
or off on "use default file generation routine." More odd, with your results
being different, is that we're both using 98SE.

Hopefully someone else will report about their results in this area..?

</snip>

I'm going to have to look further into this and see if I can figure it out
(I have another test machine I can try it on downstairs, again, running
98SE).

--

Regards

Steven Burn
Ur I.T. Mate Group
www.it-mate.co.uk

Keeping it FREE!

Disclaimer:
I know I'm probably wrong, I just like taking part ;o)

 

[omega]

I was considering offering a .CAB version aswell (just the cab without the
setup.exe and .lst file). By the sounds of it, this will be a good idea.

That'd be a good way to go. Ideal for those who want control of their
systems, yet are not sure that their runtimes are up to date.

I don't know whether you even need to omit the setup.exe and .1st file?
For those who don't recognize it as something that can be bypassed, a
readme1st.txt could explain that it's optional?

 

[Steven Burn]

That'd be a good way to go. Ideal for those who want control of their
systems, yet are not sure that their runtimes are up to date.

I don't know whether you even need to omit the setup.exe and .1st file?
For those who don't recognize it as something that can be bypassed, a
readme1st.txt could explain that it's optional?

I can do that ;o)

I'm working on locating the source of the other problem you mentioned and am
pretty sure I've found it. Just confirming it at present.

--

Regards

Steven Burn
Ur I.T. Mate Group
www.it-mate.co.uk

Keeping it FREE!

Disclaimer:
I know I'm probably wrong, I just like taking part ;o)

 

[Glenn]

Couple of concerns.

Does it work on XP? Some bat files don't seem to run for me that ran on
98+.

If I log on as 'Glenn' I can see and delete the temp files but there a bunch
hidden from me. I can log on as 'user' and all the 'glenn' files are there
and I can delete them. There's a whole pot full of them. M$ says they
are *protecting* me from myself so anyone logged on as any other than myself
can delete them but I can't. Who's protecting me from *them*. Figure that
one out!!!

Anyway, the answer to this problem would be to run the bat file *before*
windows load, or at least before log on and access is open to all (even me).
I haven't been successful in doing that as yet.

Anyone?

Glenn

 

[Steven Burn]

Responses inline......

Couple of concerns.

Does it work on XP? Some bat files don't seem to run for me that ran on
98+.

</snip>

I personally run 98SE however, I have been advised by several people now
that it runs just fine on NT based systems such as XP (including the
generated .bat file).

If I log on as 'Glenn' I can see and delete the temp files but there a bunch
hidden from me. I can log on as 'user' and all the 'glenn' files are there
and I can delete them. There's a whole pot full of them. M$ says they
are *protecting* me from myself so anyone logged on as any other than myself
can delete them but I can't. Who's protecting me from *them*. Figure that
one out!!!

</snip>

Unfortunately, when whomever invented logic was distributing it, they sort
of missed the Microsoft owners/employee's.

The way it works (tmk) is, you log on as "Glenn" and, the file's are
effectively "in-use", thus preventing you from deleting them. However, as
you know, if you log on as "user", the "Glenn" file's are accessable and can
be deleted, because they are not being used by Windows.

Anyway, the answer to this problem would be to run the bat file *before*
windows load, or at least before log on and access is open to all (even me).
I haven't been successful in doing that as yet.

Anyone?

</snip>

The generated .bat file is added to the RunOnce key in the registry (unless
you tell Index.dat Suite not to add it) and is then run before the rest of
the Windows components (early enough to allow the deletion of them).

--

Regards

Steven Burn
Ur I.T. Mate Group
www.it-mate.co.uk

Keeping it FREE!

Disclaimer:
I know I'm probably wrong, I just like taking part ;o)

 

[YoKenny]

Couple of concerns.

Does it work on XP? Some bat files don't seem to run for me that ran
on 98+.

Be sure you change the Setup to Generate NT/2K/XP bat file then it works
fine.

 

[LateforWork]

Spider 1.16

Will work on Win9x and WinNT4.x

http://www.fsm.nl/ward/

Kruppt

It's long been known that IE records stuff like this. For all you pre-XP
users -- including myself! [who needs bloat ] (win95, 98, 98se) the
simplest thing is to modify your msdos.sys to give you the option to boot
into DOS -- mine is below. Then run a simple batch to delete the
blighters! AS FOLLOWS:

MSDOS.SYS [backup your original (say to "msdows.old", first!!!!!]

Under the options section, copy this and nothing more:

[Options]
BootMenu=1
BootMenuDelay=5
BootMulti=0
BootGUI=1
BootWarn=0
DblSpace=0
DrvSpace=0
DoubleBuffer=1

Save the file.

This will give you five seconds to boot into DOS on boot-up.


Next: Create a batch file "Clean.bat" in C:\ drive (root drive)

Copy and paste, as follows:

CLS
ECHO.
ECHO LateforWork Cleanup Utility
V2.1
ECHO.
REM RUN ONLY IN DOS!!!!
deltree /Y c:\windows\applog -passes 1
deltree /Y c:\windows\temp\
REM Next 4 lines - if you have a profile directory amend accordingly
attrib -h -r -s c:\windows\cookies\index.dat
deltree /Y c:\windows\cookies\
deltree /Y c:\windows\history\
exit

Learn all about batch files here at this brilliant resource!:

http://users.cybercity.dk/~bse26236/batutil/help/INDEX.HTM

 

[Steven Burn]

In that case, the simplest way is just;

del /s index.dat

That will allow you to delete all index.dat file's in all folders, without
having to specify the folders.

Only drawback is, you have to manually confirm each deletion (deltree
doesn't support the same command).

--

Regards

Steven Burn
Ur I.T. Mate Group
www.it-mate.co.uk

Keeping it FREE!

Disclaimer:
I know I'm probably wrong, I just like taking part ;o)

Spider 1.16

Will work on Win9x and WinNT4.x

http://www.fsm.nl/ward/

Kruppt

It's long been known that IE records stuff like this. For all you pre-XP
users -- including myself! [who needs bloat ] (win95, 98, 98se) the
simplest thing is to modify your msdos.sys to give you the option to boot
into DOS -- mine is below. Then run a simple batch to delete the
blighters! AS FOLLOWS:

MSDOS.SYS [backup your original (say to "msdows.old", first!!!!!]

Under the options section, copy this and nothing more:

[Options]
BootMenu=1
BootMenuDelay=5
BootMulti=0
BootGUI=1
BootWarn=0
DblSpace=0
DrvSpace=0
DoubleBuffer=1

Save the file.

This will give you five seconds to boot into DOS on boot-up.


Next: Create a batch file "Clean.bat" in C:\ drive (root drive)

Copy and paste, as follows:

CLS
ECHO.
ECHO LateforWork Cleanup Utility
V2.1
ECHO.
REM RUN ONLY IN DOS!!!!
deltree /Y c:\windows\applog -passes 1
deltree /Y c:\windows\temp\
REM Next 4 lines - if you have a profile directory amend accordingly
attrib -h -r -s c:\windows\cookies\index.dat
deltree /Y c:\windows\cookies\
deltree /Y c:\windows\history\
exit

Learn all about batch files here at this brilliant resource!:

http://users.cybercity.dk/~bse26236/batutil/help/INDEX.HTM

 

[ms]

snip
</snip>

The updated no-install file of several days ago was IIRC supposed to be
ver. 2.42, it is a different file date and size from the earlier 2.40
version, but the screen still says ver. 2.40?

Mike Sa

 

[Steven Burn]

The updated no-install file of several days ago was IIRC supposed to be
ver. 2.42, it is a different file date and size from the earlier 2.40
version, but the screen still says ver. 2.40?

Mike Sa

Mike,
If you right click the idsuite.exe file and click the Version tab ,
it should have the following number listed for it's File version; 2.04.0002
if not, it isn't the latest release (which means something's gone kaphoo'e).

The About dialog will show v2.4 because I forgot to update it to include the
Minor version aswell.

--

Regards

Steven Burn
Ur I.T. Mate Group
www.it-mate.co.uk

Keeping it FREE!

Disclaimer:
I know I'm probably wrong, I just like taking part ;o)

 

[oft]

Couple of concerns.

Does it work on XP? Some bat files don't seem to run for me that ran on
98+.

If I log on as 'Glenn' I can see and delete the temp files but there a bunch
hidden from me. I can log on as 'user' and all the 'glenn' files are there
and I can delete them. There's a whole pot full of them. M$ says they
are *protecting* me from myself so anyone logged on as any other than myself
can delete them but I can't. Who's protecting me from *them*. Figure that
one out!!!

Anyway, the answer to this problem would be to run the bat file *before*
windows load, or at least before log on and access is open to all (even me).
I haven't been successful in doing that as yet.

Anyone?

Glenn

If you don't mind edting the registry search for SFCDisable and set
the value to 1. This will disable windows file protection and allow
you to delete or overwrite index.dat files. At the next reboot
windows will reset the value to 0.

Instead of deleting them I created a new text document, renamed it
index.dat, set the read only attribute and over wrote them.

Now all index.dat's stay at 0Kb, windows won't replace them because
they already exist. Windows update works ok, not sure about general
browsing because I only use IE for updating windows.

HTH

oft




oft

 

[ms]

The updated no-install file of several days ago was IIRC supposed to be
ver. 2.42, it is a different file date and size from the earlier 2.40
version, but the screen still says ver. 2.40?

Mike Sa

Steve:
I downloaded the update again yesterday, Help/About: 2.4 ??

Again, thanks for nice noinstall programs.

Mike Sa

 

[Steven Burn]

Steve:
I downloaded the update again yesterday, Help/About: 2.4 ??

</snip>

Yep, I'll update the About dialog with the minor number aswell on the next
update.

Again, thanks for nice noinstall programs.

</snip>

No problem ;o)

Mike Sa

--

Regards

Steven Burn
Ur I.T. Mate Group
www.it-mate.co.uk

Keeping it FREE!

Disclaimer:
I know I'm probably wrong, I just like taking part ;o)

 

[ms]

Does Spider or similar ask fo this to be done? I haven't used it, to be
familiar with its procedure. Does it use a self-deleting batch file or
something, for the commands?


Yes. And it does its thing later in the boot process - uses the runonce key,
from the registry.

snip
Karen, in Spider, you set your defaults for cleaning, unselect silent
mode, activate, it reboots and cleans on reboot, automatically.

The following is from Spacey, good help on this:

Cleanup runs Spiderbite.exe.

Correct assumption. Spiderbite runs when you restart the computer.
When you restart, and because you did not select silent mode, you will
see a black box before login. In order to proceed to login, you will
have to close the box. If you highlight the contents of this box, and
copy it to the clipboard, you will get something like this:
snip
This was my screen after cleanup, when I ran Spider again:
Scanned C:\WINDOWS
Files Scanned:
C:\WINDOWS\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat
C:\WINDOWS\Cookies\index.dat
C:\WINDOWS\History\History.IE5\index.dat
URLs Found:
***** Scanning C:\WINDOWS\Temporary Internet
Files\Content.IE5\index.dat... *****

***** Scanning C:\WINDOWS\Cookies\index.dat... *****

***** Scanning C:\WINDOWS\History\History.IE5\index.dat... *****
Spiderbite:
C:\WINDOWS\Cookies\index.dat
C:\WINDOWS\History\History.IE5\index.dat
C:\WINDOWS\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat
C:\WINDOWS\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\*.*
C:\WINDOWS\Cookies\*.*
C:\WINDOWS\History\History.IE5\*.*
*** Erased C:\WINDOWS\Cookies\index.dat
*** Erased C:\WINDOWS\History\History.IE5\index.dat
*** Erased C:\WINDOWS\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat
*** Erased C:\WINDOWS\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\*.*
*** Erased C:\WINDOWS\Cookies\*.*
*** Erased C:\WINDOWS\History\History.IE5\*.*
*** Erased D:\STORAGE\UTILITIES\ACLEANUP\SPIDER\SpiderBite.txt
*** Erased D:\STORAGE\UTILITIES\ACLEANUP\SPIDER\Spider.txt

HTH

Mike Sa

 

[YoKenny]

ms wrote:
</snip>

Yep, I'll update the About dialog with the minor number aswell on the
next update.

 

[Steven Burn]

I like that as well. <g>

</snip>

hehe ;o)

--

Regards

Steven Burn
Ur I.T. Mate Group
www.it-mate.co.uk

Keeping it FREE!

Disclaimer:
I know I'm probably wrong, I just like taking part ;o)

 

[omega]

Karen, in Spider, you set your defaults for cleaning, unselect silent
mode, activate, it reboots and cleans on reboot, automatically.

Hi, Mike, thanks. I've now gone ahead and tested out Spider, for curiosity.
I see it uses the runonce key.
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce "SpiderBite"

The following is from Spacey, good help on this:

Correct assumption. Spiderbite runs when you restart the computer.

I'm noticing that. Uses its supplementary spiderbite.exe, together with
the spiderbite.txt, which it generates according to what happened when
you ran the main Spider prog.

I like Steve's approach much better: the bat file that runs with native
windows tools, not dependent on extra execs, with paths that must be kept
in order.

This was my screen after cleanup, when I ran Spider again:

Spiderbite:

[...]
*** Erased C:\WINDOWS\Cookies\index.dat
*** Erased C:\WINDOWS\History\History.IE5\index.dat
*** Erased C:\WINDOWS\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat
*** Erased C:\WINDOWS\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\*.*
*** Erased C:\WINDOWS\Cookies\*.*
*** Erased C:\WINDOWS\History\History.IE5\*.*
*** Erased D:\STORAGE\UTILITIES\ACLEANUP\SPIDER\SpiderBite.txt
*** Erased D:\STORAGE\UTILITIES\ACLEANUP\SPIDER\Spider.txt

The spiderbite.txt file that it generated on my system was wholly
unsatisfactory. It wouldn't let me alter what to delete. Also, the UI
scans all of my drive D, not letting me point to my msie tmp directory
alone. Then the deletion file included things that don't belong there:

d:\SYSUTILS\REGISTRY\jv\Backups\msie4un infopath\*.*
d:\SYSUTILS\REGISTRY\jv\Backups\msie4un infopath\msft Advanced INF Setup\*.*

In those directories are files named things like entries.reg, plus plain
text files (ini-like, maybe), whose names happen to be index.dat, and a
few .lnks. So Spider is too confused, wanting to wipe all that out.

Similar in purpose and method as the two are, Index.dat Suite impresses me
as a much superior replacement for the now dated (1999) Spider...

 

[ms]

snip
In those directories are files named things like entries.reg, plus plain
text files (ini-like, maybe), whose names happen to be index.dat, and a
few .lnks. So Spider is too confused, wanting to wipe all that out.

Similar in purpose and method as the two are, Index.dat Suite impresses me
as a much superior replacement for the now dated (1999) Spider...

Thanks for the review comments.

Mike Sa