Your browser cache is a folder that stores certain info from websites - pictures, banners, sometimes even the whole page. If you don't clear your cache, this can get quite large and can slow down your machine. It can also store outdated material, so it is a good idea to do regular maitenance including clearing your cache.

What browser are you using?

I use Firefox and sad to say, my dh does the maintenance because I'm fairly clueless. But he's not home right now and I'm thoroughly sick of hitting the back button twice. Any chance you can tell me how to find this folder I need to clear out? (If you're not busy.) I could give it a try!

You need this little software, it will do it for you when you click on it. The download site is on the upper right hand corner, the green icon. I don't think it is the cache that is causing your problem. With FF I have my forums on the bookmark tool bar and just click on the Kitchen Table - Garden tab when I want to go back. I think this forum has been having problems with the back button???

Here is a link that might be useful: CCleaner

I have ccleaner also. I use it after every internet search since I never know what spyware I pick up.

Pawprint, CC is recommended in the help forum and I find it to be better than everything I have used. I still use 2 or 3 spyware softwares, but if I use CC first the others never come up with anything. Just don't ever use the registry part unless you really know what you are doing.

Using Firefox, go to the top and
click on Tools
Then choose Clear recent history
Then from the dropdown (Time range to clear) box choose everything
Then click on details and check cache and anything else you want to clear...
Lastly, click clear now

I use CrapCleaner every time I shut the computer down or visit a questionable website - I really like it.

Thanks all for the good info-- I'll give it a go. What a funny name--never would have guessed it!
Chemocurl, if I do what you suggest, am I losing anything I have been working on or any bookmarks?

Chem-- I don't see an option for "clear recent history", only "clear private data". Not sure I would want to do that! Am I looking in the wrong place? ("tools")

Chemocurl, if I do what you suggest, am I losing anything I have been working on or any bookmarks?
No, you will not loose your bookmarks, or anything you are working on, like things in your documents.

Chem-- I don't see an option for "clear recent history", only "clear private data". Not sure I would want to do that! Am I looking in the wrong place? ("tools")
You must not have the most recent version of FF. What are your choices for clearing private data? I think there is a list of them, including browsing history, and cookies, and some other things.

If you clear your cookies, you will have to log in again at places where you have chosen to stay logged in...like here at GW, or Yahoo, or Photobucket....just so you know. Cookies do need to be deleted every so often though, as having too many of them can slow your computer...or that is my understanding...don't quote me.

Sue

I still have to hit the back button twice and I have cleared my cache.

I just visited the help forum and there is still a problem with the back button.

For the ladies that use CCleaner, did you download the latest version? The 3.13? I'm only asking because I find that FF freezes up on me frequently and am thinking it might be since the latest version came onboard. I don't want to download the latest CCleaner if the older one is the most favoured.

"Just don't ever use the registry part unless you really know what you are doing."

Stargazzer...Don't be afraid of the Registry Integrity option of CC. I've had this tool [CC] on my system for years and I've always checked off items under the Registry. Currently...the only items NOT checked off are "Fonts, Help Files and Run at Startup"...and that's purely personal choice because I have no need to worry about the first 2 and my paid version of AVG runs at start up...so I don't really need CC at that entry point.

As a general suggestion to one and all...make sure to check for updates with this tool on a regular basis. Even though I have opted for automatic updates...I find that it rarely does so. I'm currently using the latest v.2.22.968 for Windows XP Pro SP3...and the new appearance is terrific. The first time I saw it...I was suspect because CC has always been rather non-decorative in nature. Now it's become one of the "Big Boys". ;-)

It's really a fantastic, friendly/non invasive/non aggressive tool that plays well with MS and with my paid version of AVG.

Anne

I have AOL and clean out their cache freqesntly Since most non aol goes thru Explorer I clean out that too by opening up Explorer and going to Tools and then from there dlean it out. I also have CC cleaner which I like because there is a way to save your cookies (like passwords and bank info) without losing them whne you clean out your cookies. I used to delete cookies by hand so I wouldn't lose important ones now it is so easy with CCleaner

I have firefox and after cleaning out my cache, I went to View, and clicked on Reload. This reloads the page and things are working much better now.