[bartleby1]

Let me start by saying I don't know much about computers.

My computer is running windows 98 and has a 20 gig hard drive. It has been running extremely slow lately, almost unusable. I ran norton and trend micro virus software, both came back clean. I also ran adaware.

While running my virus software, I noticed it took a VERY long time scanning a folder under windows local settings, temporary interenet files. When I right clicked on it under properties, it told me it was using over 9 GB (almost half of my hard drive) but all that I can see in it is a few cookies. I deleted what I saw but that didn't help. What could be going on and how do I fix it? I deleted temp files through IE but that didn't do anything to this folder.

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Hi and welcome to G2G.

Try the following:

Click on Start > Run type in %temp% click on edit > select all then delete.

Go to My Computer > Control Panel > Internet Options and click Delete Files.

Download Easy Cleaner from here: http://www.majorgeek...ownload414.html

It will clean out all unused / ennecessary rubbish.

Use ONLY Registry and Unnecessary ( I check the top 3 boxes in unnecessary)

Do NOT delete any Duplicate files as some are needed.

I have never had a problem deleting all that it finds - could be hundreds of files.

[bartleby1]

Thank you for your assistance. I did everything you suggested but the folder under windows>local settings>temp internet files still remains at 2 GB. (I did the top 4 boxes under unnecessary.) This doesn't seem right to me, especially since nothing is in the folder when I open it. If I try to delete it, I get a message that windows may not work right if I get rid of this folder. Should I try anyway? Could I have some sort of virus or something? I don't understand how this folder got up to over 9 GB to begin with.

Anything else I should try?

Edited by bartleby1, 01 December 2005 - 09:35 AM.

[computerwiz12890]

Do not delete the Temp file. Windows gives you that message for a reason.

I'm not familiar with Easy Cleaner, let's give CleanUp a try.

Download and install CleanUp!

Open Cleanup! by double-clicking the icon on your desktop (or from the Start > All Programs menu).
Set the program up as follows:
Click "Options..."
Move the arrow down to "Custom CleanUp!"
Put a check next to the following:

• Empty Recycle Bins
• Delete Cookies
• Scan local drives for temporary files
• Cleanup! All Users

Click OK
Press the CleanUp! button to start the program.

It may ask you to reboot at the end, click Yes.


Let me know how it goes.

Edited by computerwiz12890, 01 December 2005 - 09:42 AM.

[dsenette]

the files in that folder may be hidden...open up my computer and do tools > folder options > view...then click the show hidden files and folders radio button then press apply....then try to get to the temp folder again...REMEBER TO REVERSE THIS PROCESS AND REHIDE THE HIDDEN FILES/FOLDERS WHEN YOU"RE DONE...they were hidden for a reason

you may want to take a trip through the malware forum as well....

Please go to the malware forum in my signature and follow the instructions at the top....Especially the CLICK HERE .

That will give you several steps that will help you clean up 70 percent of all problems by yourself. If at the end of the process you are still having difficulty--and you may not be-- then post a hijackthis log in THAT forum.

If you are still having problems after getting a clean bill of health from the malware expert, please return to this thread.

[bartleby1]

Thank you so much! CleanUp is still running but has found over 60,000 files and cleared over 1 GB so far. I have to run to pick up my kids from school so I'll report back later if this fixes the slowness problem. Thanks again!


desenette - thanks for your suggestion too. We must have posted at the same time. I'll give it a try when I get back.

Edited by bartleby1, 01 December 2005 - 10:04 AM.

[bartleby1]

Well, cleanup! seems to have done it. It found over 87,000 files and over 2.1 GB of temp files. Now that they are gone, I seem to have my computer back!

Thank you so much for your help! My DH was ready to wipe the whole system clean and start over which I didn't want to have to do. I'm not real sure why my computer decided to store all that junk but I will definitely be keeping an eye on it to see if it continues to do this.

Thanks again!

[dsenette]

follow my above advice and take a trip through the malware forum.....there is a good explanation for why the temp folder was so full...and chacnes are...theywill have that explanation