Last part first..."Cookie Jar" is an absolutely great little program that makes management a snap.  Put the cookies you desire to keep in the, "Allowed" directory (jar) and all new ones go to the, "Undecided" directory by default where they can remain until you decide to wipe them.

Answering your other questions, ALL cookies are stored in the "Cookies" directory.  What you see in the TIF directory is merely a "pointer" to the corresponding cookie in the Cookie directory.  The (2) index dat files maintains this relationship and probably *should* remain synchronized although, I suspect they would have to be seriously out-of-whack to cause a problem.

In your case (using Cookie Jar), the easy way to ensure all is as good as it gets is to utilize one of Fred Langa's little batch files to wipe the appropriate directories (including, both index.dat files) with a .bat file using DOS commands.  The one I have used since it came out and recommend is, "CleanALL.Bat".  You can read up and download any of them, here:

http://www.langa.com/cleanup_bat.htm

Before running Fred's .BAT file, use Cookie Jar to save the desired cookies in the, "Allowed" jar...then, run the batch file.  You will find that the index.dat file in the Cookie directory and the one in the TIF directory are now precisely the same size.  Thereafter, use Cookie Jar to remove cookies since it will remove the corresponding pointer in the TIF directory as well maintaining sync between the (2) index.dat files.

---

@Dan Manley wrote:

Last part first..."Cookie Jar" is an absolutely great little program that makes management a snap.  Put the cookies you desire to keep in the, "Allowed" directory (jar) and all new ones go to the, "Undecided" directory by default where they can remain until you decide to wipe them.

Answering your other questions, ALL cookies are stored in the "Cookies" directory.  What you see in the TIF directory is merely a "pointer" to the corresponding cookie in the Cookie directory.  The (2) index dat files maintains this relationship and probably *should* remain synchronized although, I suspect they would have to be seriously out-of-whack to cause a problem.

In your case (using Cookie Jar), the easy way to ensure all is as good as it gets is to utilize one of Fred Langa's little batch files to wipe the appropriate directories (including, both index.dat files) with a .bat file using DOS commands.  The one I have used since it came out and recommend is, "CleanALL.Bat".  You can read up and download any of them, here:

http://www.langa.com/cleanup_bat.htm

Before running Fred's .BAT file, use Cookie Jar to save the desired cookies in the, "Allowed" jar...then, run the batch file.  You will find that the index.dat file in the Cookie directory and the one in the TIF directory are now precisely the same size.  Thereafter, use Cookie Jar to remove cookies since it will remove the corresponding pointer in the TIF directory as well maintaining sync between the (2) index.dat files.

---

Thank you.

1. I now have the Cookie Jar. It does not show as running at startup. Seems I need to manually open the program then decide where I want to keep the cookies. Is this as it should be?

2. There is one cookie that shows as a number rather than a name. I think it even came back after I deleted it. Can you explain this?

3. Re the "CleanALL.Bat", I am leery about downloading this because I am not familiar with the DOS operations. I assume I click on download and have to double click to install and then what happens. Do I have to start Windows in some mode other than Normal, when do I click run? Can you explain further or do you feel I am not knowledgable enough to use this program? I have Windows 98SE

Sallie...

1) Cookie Jar does not run at Startup as it is unnecessary.  When initially opened, all cookies will appear in the "Undecided" jar.  Just highlight and transfer the ones you wish to retain into the "Allowed" category and select all others and delete them "en masse".  You can then either use the, "File | Save Settings" button or, just choose to save when you are prompted at closing the utility.

2) The unnamed cookie is not unusual.  Delete it and any others you are unsure of...I find it simpler to just re-save one when necessary since the list is much shorter after thinning them out.

3) Although CleanALL.Bat uses DOS to perform it's chores, it is fully automated.  If you read the instructions carefully you will see that you will save both the .bat file and a corresponding .pif file (DOS shortcut).  You simply click the shortcut and you will be prompted whether you wish to proceed.  Once OK'ed, your computer will boot to DOS and you will be prompted again upon which you just hit the, "Enter" keyboard key.  Once the file has ran you will automatically be rebooted to Windows.

---

@Dan Manley wrote:

Sallie...

1) Cookie Jar does not run at Startup as it is unnecessary.  When initially opened, all cookies will appear in the "Undecided" jar.  Just highlight and transfer the ones you wish to retain into the "Allowed" category and select all others and delete them "en masse".  You can then either use the, "File | Save Settings" button or, just choose to save when you are prompted at closing the utility.

2) The unnamed cookie is not unusual.  Delete it and any others you are unsure of...I find it simpler to just re-save one when necessary since the list is much shorter after thinning them out.

3) Although CleanALL.Bat uses DOS to perform it's chores, it is fully automated.  If you read the instructions carefully you will see that you will save both the .bat file and a corresponding .pif file (DOS shortcut).  You simply click the shortcut and you will be prompted whether you wish to proceed.  Once OK'ed, your computer will boot to DOS and you will be prompted again upon which you just hit the, "Enter" keyboard key.  Once the file has ran you will automatically be rebooted to Windows.

---

I downloaded Cleanup.Bat for Novices. Step two said use notepad (or similar text editor) to open and read the contents of Cleanup.Bat to ensure the commands and structure are OK to run on your particular setup. At this point I went to my desktop folder where I stored the download and I right clicked and selected open and I got a black screen with white print saying: Use Notepad to view file contents before running. In reading the file you'll see every command that will be issued and acted on etc. I do not know how to use notepad to open and read the contents. Please explain. I am not sure how I got out of this screen. I may have tried to continue but I got a menu: Cleanup - Windows cannot shut down this program automatcally etc. At any rate, I terminated the program to get out of this screen.

What do I need to do to continue if I go back to my download folder and see download?

If I am told to close all other applications, does this include my ISP. It seems in some cases it is needed to help with installations. What about Norton AntiVirus - would I always be told if it is necessary to disable it in order to install?

Sallie...

A .bat file is nothing more than a text file containing instructions (DOS commands) to perform a particular function or string of functions.  You can open a batch file with Notepad to view the contents if you wish.  It simply uses normal DOS commands but automates the process. 

All that is required is to save the actual .bat file to your root (your C:\ drive in most cases) directory and the .pif (DOS shortcut) in the same place.  You can copy the shortcut where you wish to run conveniently.

You do not have to worry about shutting down programs, etc.  since when using the .bat file, you are not using Windows.  While I use a different file (CleanALL.bat), I'm sure the version you have will function the same as I explained in the prior post.  This is a DOS program...you will automatically be booted to DOS and prompted to press "Enter" to continue and when finished, you will automatically be rebooted to Windows.  It's as simple as clicking the DOS shortcut and when booted to the DOS prompt, hitting the enter key.  No need for concern about anything else.

I am still confused. When I downloaded the Cleanup.Bat file to my desktop and I then opened it, I go a black screen with white lettering. I did not think this was the notepad document (although it looked like a notepad document in black) because it did not show any commands, but this time I pressed any key and the document scrolled down very quickly I believe it showed items it was deleting and at the bottom it said:
C:\WINDOWS\DESKTop\Joan New Downloads>exit. It said finished on the bar at the top.

I then exited (via the x). Am I finished? I tried double clicking on the download again and got the black screen again and I pressed a key, I repeated this a third time. I assume I ran the thing 3 times. I never saw an enter to continue and I don't know if I was in DOS but the notepad was black with white lettering. I have no idea if I saved the bat file to my root (C) drive and I don't know what a .pif (DOS shortcut) is in the same place. What do I do with the download in the desktop folder? The following information is the same as before: See below note sizes

If I do find index, it finds the following:
C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Mi 32 KB
C;\WINDOWS\Temporary Internet Files 4,912 KB
C:\WINDOWS\Cookies 64 KB

Any further help will be greatly appreciated.

Sallie...

I checked the version of the file you downloaded and found I erred when I "assumed" all the .bat series ran the same way.  The novice file you have is a little different and, will not do what you are trying to do...namely, wipe the TIF and index.dat files.  I opened the file in Notepad and the contents are below:

---

@rem The first group of lines clears the screen and displays program information
@cls
@echo   Fred Langa's Cleanup.Bat, a Win98 hard-disk cleanup tool.
@echo   ---------------------------------------------------------
@echo            Copyright (c) 2002 Langa Consulting
@echo                   http://www.langa.com
@echo   ---------------------------------------------------------
@echo       Use Notepad to view file contents before running!
@echo       In reading the file, you'll see every command that
@echo        will be issued and acted on. If you see anything
@echo       that should NOT be done on or to your system/files,
@echo   delete that line. This file is known to work fine as-is on
@echo    standard Windows98 setups, but only you can determine
@echo           if it's OK to run on *your specific* setup.
@echo           See http://www.langa.com/cleanup_bat.htm
@echo      for precaution/usage info and for newer versions.
@echo                        -----------
@rem    This file is offered as-is and without warranty of any kind.
@rem    This file may be redistributed as long as this header
@rem    information is retained in the final file.
@rem    DO NOT PROCEED until and unless you have read the precaution/usage
@rem    info and checked for newer versions at http://www.langa.com/cleanup_bat.htm
::   Please also note the COMMON SENSE PRECAUTIONS and legal information here:
::   http://www.langa.com/legal.htm . The information on that page is included
::   in this file by reference; and your use of this file indicates your acceptance
::   of responsibility for the use of this file.
@echo   This batch file aggressively cleans up all Temp/Tmp files in standard
@echo   Windows locations. Note: all other apps should be closed before running this.
@echo    ---------------------------------------------------------
@echo If you haven't followed the instructions above, hit ctrl-c to abort; otherwise
@pause
rem     The next line wipes out the entire temp directory(ies), if it(they) exists
deltree /y c:\windows\temp\
deltree /y c:\temp\
deltree /y c:\windows\tmp\
deltree /y c:\tmp\
rem     Next set of "del" lines deletes possibly-large "orphan" files that sometimes rem     get placed inappropriately in the "temporary internet files" (TIF) directory.
rem     Note: it does NOT clean out files that actually belong in the TIF.
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.zip
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.exe
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.gif
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.jpg
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.mov
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.qt
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.png
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.bmp
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.avi
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.mpg
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.mpeg
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.ra
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.ram
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.mp3
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.asf
rem     Next line kills garbage files that Office leaves behind in c:\windows
del c:\windows\ff*.tmp
rem   next line erases the icon cache, saving some resources on restart
deltree /y c:\windows\ShellIconCache
cls
exit
rem For best results, reboot after running this file.

---

As you can see by the included note, this file is designed to ONLY remove the files in the TIF that should NOT be there.  Frankly, I would download and use the CleanALL.bat version of the file.  It is much more thorough and I am yet to see anyone have a problem with one of these.

Alternatively, you can always boot to DOS and run the commands to wipe the desired directories manually.  To do so, here is the instructions:

To clean up using the manual DOS commands, reboot your computer and press F8 (immediately before the splash screen appears) to get to the boot menu. Choose Command Prompt.

Only. Type the following commands, hitting enter of course.

smartdrv
deltree /y c:\windows\tempor~1
deltree /y c:\windows\history
deltree /y c:\windows\cookies

Restart the machine normally and Windows will rebuild those folders and the .dat files.

---

@Dan Manley wrote:

Sallie...

I checked the version of the file you downloaded and found I erred when I "assumed" all the .bat series ran the same way.  The novice file you have is a little different and, will not do what you are trying to do...namely, wipe the TIF and index.dat files.  I opened the file in Notepad and the contents are below:

---

@rem The first group of lines clears the screen and displays program information
@CLS
@echo   Fred Langa's Cleanup.Bat, a Win98 hard-disk cleanup tool.
@echo   ---------------------------------------------------------
@echo            Copyright (c) 2002 Langa Consulting
@echo                   http://www.langa.com
@echo   ---------------------------------------------------------
@echo       Use Notepad to view file contents before running!
@echo       In reading the file, you'll see every command that
@echo        will be issued and acted on. If you see anything
@echo       that should NOT be done on or to your system/files,
@echo   delete that line. This file is known to work fine as-is on
@echo    standard Windows98 setups, but only you can determine
@echo           if it's OK to run on *your specific* setup.
@echo           See http://www.langa.com/cleanup_bat.htm
@echo      for precaution/usage info and for newer versions.
@echo                        -----------
@rem    This file is offered as-is and without warranty of any kind.
@rem    This file may be redistributed as long as this header
@rem    information is retained in the final file.
@rem    DO NOT PROCEED until and unless you have read the precaution/usage
@rem    info and checked for newer versions at http://www.langa.com/cleanup_bat.htm
::   Please also note the COMMON SENSE PRECAUTIONS and legal information here:
::   http://www.langa.com/legal.htm . The information on that page is included
::   in this file by reference; and your use of this file indicates your acceptance
::   of responsibility for the use of this file.
@echo   This batch file aggressively cleans up all Temp/Tmp files in standard
@echo   Windows locations. Note: all other apps should be closed before running this.
@echo    ---------------------------------------------------------
@echo If you haven't followed the instructions above, hit ctrl-c to abort; otherwise
@pause
rem     The next line wipes out the entire temp directory(ies), if it(they) exists
deltree /y c:\windows\temp\
deltree /y c:\temp\
deltree /y c:\windows\tmp\
deltree /y c:\tmp\
rem     Next set of "del" lines deletes possibly-large "orphan" files that sometimes rem     get placed inappropriately in the "temporary internet files" (TIF) directory.
rem     Note: it does NOT clean out files that actually belong in the TIF.
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.zip
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.exe
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.gif
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.jpg
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.mov
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.qt
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.png
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.bmp
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.avi
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.mpg
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.mpeg
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.ra
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.ram
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.mp3
del c:\windows\tempor~1\*.asf
rem     Next line kills garbage files that Office leaves behind in c:\windows
del c:\windows\ff*.tmp
rem   next line erases the icon cache, saving some resources on restart
deltree /y c:\windows\ShellIconCache
cls
exit
rem For best results, reboot after running this file.

---

As you can see by the included note, this file is designed to ONLY remove the files in the TIF that should NOT be there.  Frankly, I would download and use the CleanALL.bat version of the file.  It is much more thorough and I am yet to see anyone have a problem with one of these.

Alternatively, you can always boot to DOS and run the commands to wipe the desired directories manually.  To do so, here is the instructions:

To clean up using the manual DOS commands, reboot your computer and press F8 (immediately before the splash screen appears) to get to the boot menu. Choose Command Prompt.

Only. Type the following commands, hitting enter of course.

smartdrv
deltree /y c:\windows\tempor~1
deltree /y c:\windows\history
deltree /y c:\windows\cookies

Restart the machine normally and Windows will rebuild those folders and the .dat files.

---

Thank you.

I downloaded and ran CleanAll.Bat. I had trouble and had to do it manually.

My index finds now read:

C:\WINDOWS\Application Data/Mi 32KB Dat File
C:WINDOWS\Temporary Internet 64 Dat File
C:WINDOWS\Cookies 32 Dat File

So I assume all is OK.

I assume I can now go to my Joan New Downloads folder and delete the icon for cleanall.bat (the novice version) Is this all I have to do here or do I have to uninstall from anywhere?

For future reference, in case I want to try the CleanAll.Bat can you help?

It is downloaded to my C and I named it Clean.All.Bat Langa so I could easily find it. I downloaded CCleanAll.pif and I named it CleanAll.pif Shortcut Langa (What does pif stand for?)

Saw notepad

Double clicked on C:\CleanAll.Bat and it stopped and I got a message about an invalid command(??) - did not understand. I believe I just closed this window and continued, or it continued automatically. At the bottom it said:
Error: Cannot locate TIF! No TIF files deleted. Please edit this file manually to insert the correct path to your TIF directory.
Press any key to continue.

I pressed any key thinking I could then edit, but now I know I should have edited it first (Please explain what I should have done at this point and how).

Note: I don't know why it could not locate TIF since they are in C:\WINDOWS\Temporary Internet Files (I think this is just where they should be).

"I downloaded and ran CleanAll.Bat. I had trouble and had to do it manually."

Running the DOS commands manually is certainly fine however, I'm more than a little confused since furthur down in your reply it sounds like you did in fact run the batch file.

"I assume I can now go to my Joan New Downloads folder and delete the icon for cleanall.bat (the novice version) Is this all I have to do here or do I have to uninstall from anywhere?"

There is nothing to uninstall.  These are just files not, installed programs and when deleted they are gone.  If you are finished with them, just delete them and, "that's it".

"For future reference, in case I want to try the CleanAll.Bat can you help?"

Sure but in this case, I'd prefer to do it through email.  You can find my public email address on Denny's website.

It is downloaded to my C and I named it Clean.All.Bat Langa so I could easily find it. I downloaded CCleanAll.pif and I named it CleanAll.pif Shortcut Langa (What does pif stand for?)

The .pif file extension merely denotes a DOS shortcut.  If you have renamed it as indicated in your post it is probably disabled by adding extraneous characters after the .pif extension.  You should leave both these files named as they were when downloaded if you are not familiar with DOS.

"Double clicked on C:\CleanAll.Bat and it stopped and I got a message about an invalid command(??) - did not understand. I believe I just closed this window and continued, or it continued automatically. At the bottom it said:
Error: Cannot locate TIF! No TIF files deleted. Please edit this file manually to insert the correct path to your TIF directory.
Press any key to continue."

The only explanation I can think of for the above is that you may have tried to execute the .bat file while running Windows.  THIS is what the .pif shortcut is for.  When double-clicked, it will present a prompt telling you that you must reboot to DOS to run the file and ask if this is what you wish to do.  The computer will reboot and the batch file will be loaded ready to run...all that's required of you is to hit the "Enter" key to OK the run.  When finished, the reboot to Windows will be automatic.

You might wish to print out the instructions on Fred's website to have handy if you continue using them and I'd suggest you delete everything you now have and start over anew.  If you do, leave the files named as downloaded and save them directly to your C:\ drive.  Place a copy of the .pif shortcut where you wish for convenience.  Once this is done, to run the procedure just double-click the .pif shortcut and follow the prompts.

---

@Dan Manley wrote:

"I downloaded and ran CleanAll.Bat. I had trouble and had to do it manually."

Running the DOS commands manually is certainly fine however, I'm more than a little confused since furthur down in your reply it sounds like you did in fact run the batch file.

"I assume I can now go to my Joan New Downloads folder and delete the icon for cleanall.bat (the novice version) Is this all I have to do here or do I have to uninstall from anywhere?"

There is nothing to uninstall.  These are just files not, installed programs and when deleted they are gone.  If you are finished with them, just delete them and, "that's it".

"For future reference, in case I want to try the CleanAll.Bat can you help?"

Sure but in this case, I'd prefer to do it through email.  You can find my public email address on Denny's website.

It is downloaded to my C and I named it Clean.All.Bat Langa so I could easily find it. I downloaded CCleanAll.pif and I named it CleanAll.pif Shortcut Langa (What does pif stand for?)

The .pif file extension merely denotes a DOS shortcut.  If you have renamed it as indicated in your post it is probably disabled by adding extraneous characters after the .pif extension.  You should leave both these files named as they were when downloaded if you are not familiar with DOS.

"Double clicked on C:\CleanAll.Bat and it stopped and I got a message about an invalid command(??) - did not understand. I believe I just closed this window and continued, or it continued automatically. At the bottom it said:
Error: Cannot locate TIF! No TIF files deleted. Please edit this file manually to insert the correct path to your TIF directory.
Press any key to continue."

The only explanation I can think of for the above is that you may have tried to execute the .bat file while running Windows.  THIS is what the .pif shortcut is for.  When double-clicked, it will present a prompt telling you that you must reboot to DOS to run the file and ask if this is what you wish to do.  The computer will reboot and the batch file will be loaded ready to run...all that's required of you is to hit the "Enter" key to OK the run.  When finished, the reboot to Windows will be automatic.

You might wish to print out the instructions on Fred's website to have handy if you continue using them and I'd suggest you delete everything you now have and start over anew.  If you do, leave the files named as downloaded and save them directly to your C:\ drive.  Place a copy of the .pif shortcut where you wish for convenience.  Once this is done, to run the procedure just double-click the .pif shortcut and follow the prompts.

---

In answer to your post, I tried to send you a private message but had great difficulty since it was too long. Please see my post below with my comments added to your post.

Dan Manley
Forum Regular

"I downloaded and ran CleanAll.Bat. I had trouble and had to do it manually."

Running the DOS commands manually is certainly fine however, I'm more than a little confused since furthur down in your reply it sounds like you did in fact run the batch file.

"I assume I can now go to my Joan New Downloads folder and delete the icon for cleanall.bat (the novice version) Is this all I have to do here or do I have to uninstall from anywhere?"

There is nothing to uninstall. These are just files not, installed programs and when deleted they are gone. If you are finished with them, just delete them and, "that's it".


Comment: I will delete the cleanall.bat (novice version) from my download folder.


"For future reference, in case I want to try the CleanAll.Bat can you help?"

Sure but in this case, I'd prefer to do it through email. You can find my public email address on Denny's website.

Comment: I looked but I couldn’t find your e-mail address here, http://www.djdenham.com/newbie.htm, or here www.djdenham.com, nor is it in you profile.

It is downloaded to my C and I named it Clean.All.Bat Langa so I could easily find it. I downloaded CCleanAll.pif and I named it CleanAll.pif Shortcut Langa (What does pif stand for?)

The .pif file extension merely denotes a DOS shortcut. If you have renamed it as indicated in your post it is probably disabled by adding extraneous characters after the .pif extension. You should leave both these files named as they were when downloaded if you are not familiar with DOS.
When it did not work, I wondered if my renaming had anything to do with it.
"Double clicked on C:\CleanAll.Bat and it stopped and I got a message about an invalid command(??) - did not understand. I believe I just closed this window and continued, or it continued automatically. At the bottom it said:
Error: Cannot locate TIF! No TIF files deleted. Please edit this file manually to insert the correct path to your TIF directory.
Press any key to continue."

The only explanation I can think of for the above is that you may have tried to execute the .bat file while running Windows. THIS is what the .pif shortcut is for. When double-clicked, it will present a prompt telling you that you must reboot to DOS to run the file and ask if this is what you wish to do. The computer will reboot and the batch file will be loaded ready to run...all that's required of you is to hit the "Enter" key to OK the run. When finished, the reboot to Windows will be automatic.

Comment: I think that is what I must have done, that black screen with the white lettering confused me and I probably thought I was in DOS running on automatic.

You might wish to print out the instructions on Fred's website to have handy if you continue using them and I'd suggest you delete everything you now have and start over anew. If you do, leave the files named as downloaded and save them directly to your C:\ drive. Place a copy of the .pif shortcut where you wish for convenience. Once this is done, to run the procedure just double-click the .pif shortcut and follow the prompts.

Comment: I will do just that.
Comment: Thanks again