Format C

[andy]

I have been attempting to delete the contents of my index dat files for over
a year (off and on). I try it for a day or two and then get frustrated. I
am so frustrated now I feel like entering format C. Would that clear out
all those dat files? I'm not stupid, just real ignorant. I am using
windowsxp 6.0 with IE 6.0. Any positive input is most welcome. Thanks

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Andy,

First, XP will not allow you to format the system drive. And why use the most severe way to address this small issue?
Is the pc very tight on space?
Normally running Disk Cleanup from Accessories | System Tools is enough ( which you may also run in Safe Mode ! )

Try using CleanCache.
www.buttuglysoftware.com

 

[Ricky]

If you want to delete the dat files boot in safe mode with command
prompt.
Type CD\ hit enter.
Type del index.dat /s hit enter.

|I have been attempting to delete the contents of my index dat files
for over
| a year (off and on). I try it for a day or two and then get
frustrated. I
| am so frustrated now I feel like entering format C. Would that
clear out
| all those dat files? I'm not stupid, just real ignorant. I am
using
| windowsxp 6.0 with IE 6.0. Any positive input is most welcome.
Thanks
|
|

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Do not delete
C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache\index.dat
this causes msinfo32.exe to work incorrectly.

Index.dat Suite
[[Index.dat Suite is a rather unique program that allows you not only to
delete the index.dat files, temporary internet files, temp files, cookies
and history, but it also allows you to view the index.dat files on your
system.]]
http://support.it-mate.co.uk/?mode=Home

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[andy]

Unfortunately before I read your warning I got the command: del
index.dat/s to work. My computer seems ok now but I understand I may not be
able to troubleshoot it if/when the need arises. I tried to run the
command: msinfo32.exe but just went to the help center. Is there somehow
I can restore this file to original form from my software CD's I got with my
computer? Is there another command I can use in the future to delete the
contents of the dat files without affecting msinfo32.exe or is Index.dat
Suite the best way to go. I read info about this trouble elsewhere on the
web and have posted someone's solution below. I don't know what he is
talking about when he says," Don't overlook those three spaces". What three
spaces is he talking about if you know? Thanks for all you folks help.


Here's a work-around for the msinfo32 problem:
Create a batch file containing the following lines:
cd C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\MSInfo
msinfo32 /categories +all -loadedmodules
OR:
Go to Start/Run/ and type: msinfo32 /categories +all -loadedmodules
(Don't overlook those three spaces!)

This seems to bypass whatever bug is causing this problem.
Note: Some interesting background info can be found in the MS
Knowledge Base article Q300887.


HTH, Cheers, Bob

Do not delete
C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache\index.dat
this causes msinfo32.exe to work incorrectly.

Index.dat Suite
[[Index.dat Suite is a rather unique program that allows you not only to
delete the index.dat files, temporary internet files, temp files, cookies
and history, but it also allows you to view the index.dat files on your
system.]]
http://support.it-mate.co.uk/?mode=Home

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

I have been attempting to delete the contents of my index dat files for
over a year (off and on). I try it for a day or two and then get
frustrated. I am so frustrated now I feel like entering format C. Would
that clear out all those dat files? I'm not stupid, just real ignorant.
I am using windowsxp 6.0 with IE 6.0. Any positive input is most
welcome. Thanks

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Bob,

Forget the batch file. I used a batch file myself until I discovered the
problem of why msinfo32 was not working correctly.

Vampirefo actully discovered this.
Odd msinfo32.exe problem. msinfo32 mystery solved.
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,4426941~mode=flat

These are the three spaces...
msinfo32[space]/categories[space]+all[space]-loadedmodules

Get the index.dat file from a friend.

Or save the attached zip file. Unzip it to...

C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache

Then Start | Run | Type: msinfo32 | Click OK
-----

If using Index.dat Suite...

Index.dat Suite has an option to not select any index.dat files. Do not
select >>
C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OFFLIN~1\index.dat

You can also edit the batch file (C:\Run.bat) to exclude...
C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OFFLIN~1\index.dat
-----

Q. How do I disable the batch file verification procedure?
A. To do this, go into the Index.dat Suite settings and place a tick next to
"Always verify batch file contents after file generation" (located on the
General tab)

Q. What are the checkboxes for on the main IDFinder window?
A. The checkboxes allow you to exclude items from the generated .bat file.
All items CHECKED will be excluded, unchecked items will be included.

Note: If you are using version 2.6.4 or later, all items checked will be
INCLUDED
http://support.it-mate.co.uk/?mode=Products&act=FAQ&p=index.datsuite#138

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Unfortunately before I read your warning I got the command: del
index.dat/s to work. My computer seems ok now but I understand I may not
be able to troubleshoot it if/when the need arises. I tried to run the
command: msinfo32.exe but just went to the help center. Is there
somehow I can restore this file to original form from my software CD's I
got with my computer? Is there another command I can use in the future
to delete the contents of the dat files without affecting msinfo32.exe or
is Index.dat Suite the best way to go. I read info about this trouble
elsewhere on the web and have posted someone's solution below. I don't
know what he is talking about when he says," Don't overlook those three
spaces". What three spaces is he talking about if you know? Thanks for
all you folks help.


Here's a work-around for the msinfo32 problem:
Create a batch file containing the following lines:
cd C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\MSInfo
msinfo32 /categories +all -loadedmodules
OR:
Go to Start/Run/ and type: msinfo32 /categories +all -loadedmodules
(Don't overlook those three spaces!)

This seems to bypass whatever bug is causing this problem.
Note: Some interesting background info can be found in the MS
Knowledge Base article Q300887.


HTH, Cheers, Bob

Do not delete
C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\OfflineCache\index.dat
this causes msinfo32.exe to work incorrectly.

Index.dat Suite
[[Index.dat Suite is a rather unique program that allows you not only to
delete the index.dat files, temporary internet files, temp files, cookies
and history, but it also allows you to view the index.dat files on your
system.]]
http://support.it-mate.co.uk/?mode=Home

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

I have been attempting to delete the contents of my index dat files for
over a year (off and on). I try it for a day or two and then get
frustrated. I am so frustrated now I feel like entering format C. Would
that clear out all those dat files? I'm not stupid, just real ignorant.
I am using windowsxp 6.0 with IE 6.0. Any positive input is most
welcome. Thanks