Re: temp internet folder cookies listing

I am running WinXP SP1, fully patched at Windows Update. My computer came
pre-loaded with XP SP1.

Sorry, lili, but if you're running WinXP SP1, the machine is *not* fully patched at Windows Update; in fact it's missing 3 years' worth of critical security updates. Furthermore, you *must* have WinXP SP2 installed to be able to install updates (since October 2006).

Please proceed as follows:

1. Run a thorough check for hijackware, including posting your HijackThis log to an appropriate forum for review.

Check for Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/Darnit.htm
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/

When all else fails, HijackThis (http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use. It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware.

**Post your HijackThis log to http://forums.spywareinfo.com/, http://castlecops.com/forum67.html, http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forum for expert analysis, not here.**

2. After an expert gives your HijackThis log a clean bill of health, install WinXP SP2: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=049c9dbe-3b8e-4f30-8245-9e368d3cdb5a

NB: Disable Norton AntiVirus and any Spybot "protections" (i.e., SDHelper; Tea Timer) *before* installing SP2. After installing SP2, it can take up to 20 minutes or more for the machine to finish rebooting; this is normal. After the initial reboot, reboot a second time.

References:

What to Know Before Downloading/Installing SP2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx

Installing SP2 Step-by-Step
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];xpsp2insthowto

Troubleshooting Your Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];xpsp2insttshoot

WinXP SP2 FAQ: What to do after installing SP2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;ln;xpsp2installed

Service Pack (any) Installation Checklist (MVP Jupiter Jones)
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

WinXP SP2-specific Page (MVP Jupiter Jones)
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/xpsp2.htm

The hard disk space requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=837783

3. Go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and install all critical updates offered (75, minimum).

NB: I do *not* recommend installing IE7 via Windows Update or Automatic Updates!

4. Make certain the Automatic Updates is enabled and configured as you wish.

How to configure and use Automatic Updates in WinXP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525

5. Reply to this thread and tell us if C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Cookies <=this folder contains and shows your cookies.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

lili wrote:
Thank you for your help.

...There is now not a single "cookie" listing, even though I know
that there are cookies on my computer. (They show up in the
"C:\WINDOWS\Cookies" folder.)

Are you running WinXP SP2, fully patched at Windows Update? If so, did you
upgrade to WinXP from an earlier Windows version?

I am running WinXP SP1, fully patched at Windows Update. My computer came
pre-loaded with XP SP1.


This folder is, and has always been, empty except for a file entitled
"index/DAT File/16 KB".

Do you have any sort of "Registry cleaner" or security application (e.g.,
anti-virus; anti-spyware; security suite) installed and loading at boot
that
may be deleting Temporary Internet Files and/or Cookies?

I have Norton anti-virus, Ad-aware, and Spybot installed, but they run only
when I instruct them to do so. They have been on my computer all along, and
I have made no changes in the way they load or run. There has been no
deletion of which I am aware in the Temporary Internet Files folder other
than the listing of Cookies. However, Cookies are still being installed on
my computer, because I find them in the "C:\WINDOWS\Cookies" folder (though
not in the "C:\Documents and
Settings\[username]\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files <=this folder"
that you mention).

BTW, I do not want the cookies; I want to know that they are present so that
I can delete them. The only complete listing that I have found is the one
that has, until recently, appeared in the TIF folder.


IE Tools > Internet Options > Temporary Internet Files [TIF] > Settings >
View files Windows Explorer open to C:\Documents and
Settings\[username]\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files <=this folder?

Yes; this is the folder to which I am referring.


Have you ever changed the location of your TIF folder by clicking on the
"Move Folder" button? [Just asking; not a suggestion or recommendation to
do
so]

No. It is where it has always been.

--
~PA Bear

I appreciate your efforts to sort this out.

Lili


lili wrote:
Thanks for replying. I've responded below after each of your questions:

"PA Bear" wrote:
How do you know they've disappeared?

When I click on IE -> Tools -> Internet Options -> Temp Internet files ->
Settings -> View Files -> Temporary Internet Files, there is a long list
of
file names and internet addresses, at the beginning of which, after
"?CodeDownloadErrorLog!name={...}", have always been a number of "cookie"
addresses. There is now not a single "cookie" listing, even though I know
that there are cookies on my computer. (They show up in the
"C:\WINDOWS\Cookies" folder.) That is what I meant when I wrote that the
cookies no longer appear in the Temp Internet Folder.

How do you know they were really there in the first place?

I have always seen them there. Are you having a joke at my expense?

1. Enable Show Hidden Files and Folders under Start > Control Panel >
Folder Options > View.

Okay. Done.

2. Now, in Windows Explorer, do you see C:\Documents and
Settings\[username]\Cookies <=this folder?

This folder is, and has always been, empty except for a file entitled
"index/DAT File/16 KB".

So, my question remains. How can I restore the listing of cookies in the
temp internet folder?
--
lili wrote:
Please help.
The listing of cookies that used to be in my temp internet folder has
disappeared. Since all the cookies placed on my computer do not show up
in
the "cookie folder," I have used the temp internet folder to find and
delete
them. How can I restore the listing of cookies in the temp internet
folder?
Thanks, in advance.

.

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