Cannot access (open, delete, rename) files created by IE

[clriis]

I'm running IE 6.0 on W2K SP4 NTFS w/ all MS security
updates installed.

In a number of instances IE has created some temporary
files in different
subdirectories under "c:\documents and settings\user\local
settings\temp\temporary internet files\content.ie5
\********" (ie. 8HMFG56V)
which filenames are very long (it looks as if the content
was written in the
filename)

Example:

"2004;dcopt=ist;dir=kerryjohnnode;dir=politics;dir=election
s;dir=2
004;dir=whitehouse;dir=kerryjohn;page=article;A=1;D=3;C=0;S
=
105;B=6;B=28;B=63;B=100;VS=3;;kw=;pos=ad19;sz=728[1]"

My problem is that I am not able access these files in any
way, even
changing properties is not possible.

I've tried to access the files using 8.3 name with command
prompt, but I get
the message: "file not found"

If I try to delete the entire directory I get the
message: "cannot delete
2004_D~1: Cannot find the specified file.

I've also tried to delete them in "safe mode", as well as
running chkdsk, but to no avail.

I have around 50 of these files in 10 different directories

Pls. help

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Claus.

These files in Content.ie5 are your Temporary Internet Files, also known as
your Internet cache. These are not "normal" files, and they are not managed
in the usual ways.

The proper way to delete these files is to "clear the Internet cache" by
opening IE and clicking Tools | Internet Options... On the first tab
(General), the middle section is Temporary Internet Files. From here you
can Delete Folders or Files, or click Settings... to View Files...

You should have just 4 of these subdirectories under Content.ie5, but
improper management of the TIF in the past may have left some prior versions
on your HD. These old orphaned files can't be reached through Internet
Options, which points only to your current cache.

To fully delete all these files, you may need to boot into Safe Mode, but
you may be able to get rid of them in Normal mode by exiting IE, then
opening a "DOS" window (Command Prompt). First, though, use the Settings
button to see and write down the Current Location of the TIF. Then, in the
"DOS" window, navigate to the parent folder of \Temporary Internet Files.
You can either cd into that folder and delete the random-named folders
individually. (These are all hidden folders, so you'll have to use the /a
switch to see them with dir: dir YNI9SH6P /a, as an example using one of MY
foldernames.) Or you can use the /s switch with rd or rmdir to remove the
TIF foldername and all its subfolders and files: rd "Temporary Internet
Files" /s; when it asks if you are sure, say Yes. Then you can search your
entire drive to see if there are other orphaned files; to do this in the
"DOS" window, you can type: dir C:\Content.ie5 /s/a. This produces a
directory listing that starts in C:\ and finds all files or folders named
Content.ie5, in ALL subdirectories (/s), even if hidden, system or read-only
Attributes are set (/a). You should be able to delete these orphaned files
using normal "DOS" commands.

These deletions, of course, will leave you with NO TIF. But, don't worry.
IE will create fresh ones the next time it runs.

You might want to go to the Advanced tab under Internet Options, scroll down
to the Security heading, and check the box that says to Empty Temporary
Internet Files folder when browser is closed. Especially with broadband, IE
can download a fresh copy of most pages as quickly as it can find it in the
cache, anyhow.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP

I'm running IE 6.0 on W2K SP4 NTFS w/ all MS security
updates installed.

In a number of instances IE has created some temporary
files in different
subdirectories under "c:\documents and settings\user\local
settings\temp\temporary internet files\content.ie5
\********" (ie. 8HMFG56V)
which filenames are very long (it looks as if the content
was written in the
filename)

Example:

"2004;dcopt=ist;dir=kerryjohnnode;dir=politics;dir=election
s;dir=2
004;dir=whitehouse;dir=kerryjohn;page=article;A=1;D=3;C=0;S
=
105;B=6;B=28;B=63;B=100;VS=3;;kw=;pos=ad19;sz=728[1]"

My problem is that I am not able access these files in any
way, even
changing properties is not possible.

I've tried to access the files using 8.3 name with command
prompt, but I get
the message: "file not found"

If I try to delete the entire directory I get the
message: "cannot delete
2004_D~1: Cannot find the specified file.

I've also tried to delete them in "safe mode", as well as
running chkdsk, but to no avail.

I have around 50 of these files in 10 different directories

Pls. help