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Why can't I delete Internet Explorer History?


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#31
fflowergirl

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After much EXPERIMENTATION and some LUCK the problem is solved.
(I thought all along that it was probably a setting error and it was.) :tazz:

Below is how it was FIXED.
HISTORY now deletes when I click on CLEAR HISTORY.

YAY
......Janie :yeah:


TOOLS
INTERNET OPTIONS
CONTENT
PERSONAL INFORMATION
AUTO COMPLETE

UNCHECK THE BOXES BY:
WEB ADDRESSES
FORMS
USER NAME AND PASSWORD
CLICK ON 'CLEAR HISTORY'

CLICK ON OK.

Now when I click on Control H or the History Icon
and it shows all the websites I visited as well as email addresses,
I then click on delete Historyand
VOILA' they all disappear!
;) ;) :help: :help: :help:

Edited by fflowergirl, 20 July 2005 - 08:08 AM.

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#32
fflowergirl

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Oops...double post....

Edited by fflowergirl, 27 July 2005 - 08:33 PM.

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#33
fflowergirl

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Hi all.
I thought I had the problem solved but I didn't.
It deleted history for about three times and then back to not working!

I have it set for zero days so each morning it is clear but it has so much
history from all day use by many people using this computer. (Husband, 3
teens, myself and 2 students each day.)

(I give computer lessons (BEGINNER) and it would be nice to be able to
delete personal history.)

I wish IE history, cookies, internet options delete, worked the way it used
to on my computer. :tazz:

I could just click on 'delete history' and it was deleted!
If anyone has any ideas, I am open to them.
I still feel I probably have something SET WRONG in the Internet Options settings.

Sincerely, Janie ;)

Edited by fflowergirl, 27 July 2005 - 09:39 PM.

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#34
gerryf

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try doing as you did, but do it in safe mode.....
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#35
fflowergirl

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Gerry, I really do not like to admit this as I think I am pretty good
at computers! :tazz:

But I have never, in the 3 years that I have had a computer, used the safe
mode, so I don't know how!

I think it has something to do with start up when the words appear, I click
on a key...see I DON'T KNOW HOW.

Could you give me a quick lesson.
Because once I know how, I will know how!
I learn pretty fast.
Thanks so much
Janie

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#36
gerryf

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tap the f8 key when the memory is counting up, or

start > run
msconfig
Enter

go to boot.ini tab
check safeboot

reboot
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#37
gerryf

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as I understand it (I am saying this a lot tonight), this is a known problem with ie6 on some systems and it has to do with a corrupt history file

doing it in safe mode supposedly deletes the file, but I have never run into a system with this issue....they all clean fine for me....
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#38
fflowergirl

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Gerry, I turned off my computer, clicked on re-start, had my fingers on the f8 key, ready to press it, the words came on the screen and

I REALIZED I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO GET OUT OF SAFE MODE!

And there I would be, stuck forever ;) , and unable to ask for help!

I realize you assume, when giving advice on safe mode, that people know how to get back out and probably the majority of people reading this thread DO know how to get out of safe mode but I DON'T....

And I want to tell you, I have done LOTS of studying on this topic; not just
coming to GEEKS asking for the solution. :tazz:

I typed "I can't delete History from my Internet Explorer browser" in Yahoo search and there were thousands of sites that come up....but I just have NOT come up with the right solution and some suggestions were just TOOOOO complicated.

I feel the answer is a simple solution...a setting that needs changed that I
am over-looking....maybe a default or something like that, since I do have a
different Dial up internet provider and the problem began at about the same
time.

Thanks for all your help...Gerry and everyone else that has advised me.
I do appreciate it.....
I would sure like to get this 'history delete' problem solved.

Janie :)

Edited by fflowergirl, 27 July 2005 - 09:30 PM.

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#39
gerryf

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from within safe mode, just reverse...uncheck /safemoot

(if you used msconfig method)..

If you used tap f8, then reboot and do NOT tap f8 again....

Safe mode is windows without most drivers.

I am just tired enough to explain what all this does in the background. It's actually pretty cool, when you boot your computer......oh, never mind...but it is cool.

Anyway, tapping f8 sends a command to the ntldr, which sends a command to the ntkernal, which tells it not to load drivers. ntldr then reads the boot,ini file to find out where the windows files are on off you go.

If you do not tap f8, it will not go into safemode.

Doing the msconfig thing actually alters the boot.ini file....in that case, ntldr reads the boot.ini file and then sends the command to ntkernal---the difference is that the boot.ini file is altered until you change it back again through msconfig...

one is more permanent, but neither is permanent

I actually have three different boot configurations
normal
safe
recovery consolve.

In my opinion, EVERY PC should be set up that way, but that's me...
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#40
fflowergirl

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Well, Ger, I tried it 3 times.

Re-started my computer and tapped on f8 just as the screen was black
with words and nothing happened...it kept right on going to welcome to....

So I am going to bed...I am tired like you.

How do you do it, day in and day out, helping people with computer problems?
And it must be ESPECIALLY hard dealing with someone like me (trying to explain
what most people already know)....and knowing how simple it would be if you
were at my computer. :tazz:

Remember this morning, I sent you a PM about if it would be too risky to let a
GEEK connect to my computer and fix it from whereever he is?

Well, I think I will go ahead and do it since you said he was a trustworthy tech.
I would rather have the 'delete history' problem solved then the 'Outlook Express' not being able to send mail.

Thanks again for all your help.

Janie ;) (G'night all....)

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#41
fflowergirl

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Anyone have any ideas how to delete History on Internet Explorer?

It works to right click on the email and web addresses, one at a time, to delete
but I want to be able to delete all of them in one swift click. ;)

I tried the remote assistance with a GEEK tech but it didn't work because my
OUTLOOK EXPRESS won't SEND emails! :tazz:

And I needed it to go through Outlook Express as that was the only way it
would SEND.

Thanks for any additonal ideas.
Janie :)

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#42
gerryf

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ok, two things....

first, is peoplepc still your internet service provider?

also, if you would, copy boot.ini from c:\ and zip it up, and attach it to your next post.
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#43
fflowergirl

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Yes, peoplepc is my internet provider...(dial up)

And Ger, I do not know how to do that second thing.
Don't know what 'zip it' means?

I would need SIMPLE BASIC instructions on HOW?
And once I 'understand', I will do it!

Thanks, Janie :tazz:

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#44
hholidayy

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Try this:
1 - clear history normaly in Internet options
2 - close all windows of Internet Explorer
3- go to the folder :
C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\History
and delete all of its content.
4 - Then Reboot the pc

It works well for me (XP with all the latest updates) !

Good Luck !

Ray


P.S. <username> is the name you use when you log in the pc (administrator, or whatever is your username on that pc.)
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#45
dsenette

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janie - set your history age to 1 day instead of zero...often times when defining age limits in programs zero means indeffinite or never....and is your firefox still working? also did you fix that email issue that you were having? ( i lost that post and cant find it)
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