In Windows 98, it is relatively simple to delete Internet Explorer's data cache from the command prompt (outside of Windows). Since moving to the NT platform, however, I've found it "impossible" to do. Until now, that is. Apparently, there's some kind of bug in IE6 where the browser will slow down and start eating up 100% of the CPU cycles. This could be caused by a corrupt cache - and cannot be cleared through the Internet Options dialog. Thanks to WARP2SEARCH.NET for providing a pointer to the solution! Even if you're not having problems with IE, stepping through this routine every other month is advisable. Launch a command prompt (CMD.EXE) and navigate to C:\ Documents and Settings \ [Username] \ Local Settings \ Temporary Internet Files \ Content.IE5. Close all OTHER running applications. Pull up the Task Manager (CTRL + SHIFT + ESC), right-click the EXPLORER.EXE process and select the "End Process" option. All you should have on the screen at this point is your Command window. Go ahead and enter: "del index.dat" (sans quotes). If need be, use extra switches to get rid of it (and any strangely-spelled subdirectories in the Content.IE5 directory). If you don't understand what I mean, you shouldn't be doing this tip. Click your desktop and restart the Windows Explorer. Pull up the Task Manager again, flip to the "Applications" tab, and press the "New Task" button. Enter: "explorer" (sans quotes). YMMV!
