Here's a tool you can use to do it, Clean out your temporary internet files and temp files. Download TFC by OldTimer click Here to your desktop. Click the Save file tab, save it to the desktop. Then double click it to run it. Double-clickTFC.exe to run it. Note: If you are running on Vista, right-click on the file and choose Run As Administrator TFC will close all programs when run, so make sure you have saved all your work before you begin * Click the Start button to begin the cleaning process. * Depending on how often you clean temp files, execution time should be anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or two. * Please let TFC run uninterrupted until it is finished. Once TFC is finished it should restart your computer. If it does not, please manually restart the computer yourself to ensure a complete cleaning. TFC, More info: TFC (Temp File Cleaner) will clear out all temp folders for all user accounts (temp, IE temp, java, FF, Opera, Chrome, Safari), including Administrator, All Users, LocalService, NetworkService, and any other accounts in the user folder. It also cleans out the %systemroot%\temp folder and checks for .tmp files in the %systemdrive% root folder, %systemroot%, and the system32 folder (both 32bit and 64bit on 64bit OSs). It shows the amount removed for each location found (in bytes) and the total removed (in MB). Before running, it will stop Explorer and all other running applications. When finished, if a reboot is required the user must reboot to finish clearing any in-use temp files. -- TFC only cleans temp folders. -- TFC will not clean URL history, prefetch, or cookies. Depending on how often someone cleans their temp folders, their system hardware, and how many accounts are present, it can take anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or more. TFC will completely clear all temp files where other temp file cleaners may fail.

How about, C:\Documents and Settings\USER NAME\Local Settings\ Temporary Internet Files That's where they are on this XP system at work. I just searched using the word cookie and it provided the path. Also, look in the Default User file and the Administrator file located in the same folder. DA

If computer works ok otherwise, I would open my computer, right click the main drive, C? ... choose properties. Use Disk Cleanup there. also System cleanup is there and will remove all but your last Restore point but clean up some other files too. Restore points often will screw up when the master boot record or partition tables get changed or messed up, which happens with use something other than windows like PartionMagic to make or resize a partition. Or hard drive failing. After saying/thinking, I would also run a diskcheck from the same C drive properties/system tools. Maybe do that first.

The Internet is notorious for its veil of anonymity. What is real is only what you personally know is real. Everything else is smoke and mirrors. I can assure you that if a malicious individual was intent enough, and wanted to find each and every one of us on this thread he/she could. All it takes is time, money, computer power and desire. Comments and suggestions made on this thread are absolutely valid and important. Keep your important information private. Once your information is in the wild you can't get it back. Also, even though a site is well known that doesn't make it safe and secure. I am sorry but I do mean this, trust no one on the Web. Be polite, be friendly, enjoy the camaraderie, but don't drop your guard. And I am sorry I have to say this as I love you all, but ladies you lead the pack. You are just too trustworthy. There's a couple of other forums I drop in on and I can't believe some of the personal information that's posted on the OT side. I could if I paid a lot of attention to the exchanges report where a member lives, what they drive, what time they are going to the doctor, how long they are going to be on vacation and when, what time they are leaving for the store and when they will be back, where they keep the extra key, and heaven knows what else I have missed. Take myself for example. I have been here 10-11 years now and I have shared little bits of information about myself. Not much just a little. Who is to say I am who and what I say I am? I could be very easily some vodka drinking, cigar smoking Russian Mafia hire located in outer Siberia constantly combing sites, forums and e-mail exchanges for personal data. You just don't know. As far as cookies go they are no big deal. Users confuse cookies with malware and viruses. Yes there have been a couple instances in the past, but overall they are just little packets of data which assist in the operation of the Internet; site preferences, page loading speed and log-ons to name a few. Remember use tracking is one of the ways that is used for paying the bills of the Internet. Without them sites like this might not be here for our pleasure. Be safe. The soapbox is now put away. DA