How best to clear history and cache

What is the best way (or are they they same difference) to clear cache and history? When I clear by edit\preferences, it doesn't appear to clear. When I try like Ramona suggested:

Clear the Cache and delete the History.dat/mab file
The History file and Cache folder are located in:
C:Windows\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles

I can't find the history folder in Mozilla. There is an archive folder, but it is always empty.

Also, how often should you set your computer to do this (or how often should you do it manually)? Currently, I have history set to show for 9 days, and my cache setting is 'automatically'.

Thanx for advice! Luckyfish

 

Hi Luckyfish,

Your history.dat or history.mab file is located here: C:\Windows\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\yourusername\xxxxxxxx.slt

I clear my Cache and History files at the end of each day. Keeping your Cache and History cleaned up will save you some grief. I set my history at 3 days, but that is a personal preference.

When you clear Cache and History within Preferences, it should clear them, but I have learned that this doesn't always work with Netscape 6. Your best bet is to do it manually through Windows Explorer. Be certain that Netscape is closed when you do this.

Another maintenance tip for you: back up your Profile folder frequently. That's this folder: C:\Windows\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles. That's good insurance in the event that you lose information, especially as Netscape 6 is not a finished product.

Ramona

 

Ramona:

Thanx for great maintenance tips! I still can't find that history folder in Mozilla, though. Does yours SAY history, or archives. Are you sure it is supposed to be there and not somewhere else? Maybe I mistakenly DELETED the history file, instead of the contents one time. Can I simply create another folder and it will start holding my history, or will I have to reinstall, if I DID accidentally delete the whole folder?

Also, when you say 'back-up profile folder frequently'...what do you mean? Should I save this to a disK?

Thanx, as always! Luckyfish

 

Luckyfish,

Keyword here is history.dat file not folder. Look in your xxxxxxxx.slt folder (the x's denote whatever combination of letters and numbers you have). The history.dat or history.mab or both files will be there. Delete them!

To back up your Profile folder, do a copy and paste. If you have a large hard drive, and plenty of space, make a folder on the C:\ drive and call it Backup or Keep or NS Backup - whatever. Then, copy the Profile folder, and paste it into your backup folder. If you have a Zip drive, copy the folder to a Zip disk. If you have a CD burner, then first Zip the folder before you burn. This will prevent the file attributes from changing to "Read Only ", as happens with Windows 98.

Lot of work involved with these browsers, non?

Ramona

 

Aren't Edit | Perferences:
then Navigator | History | clear history
and
Advanced | Cache | clear disk cache
working?

 

Antony, clear history and cache is not working, from what I can see. I click on clear, then okay...then nothing. Still shows the same amount of space, files still there. Does yours work (do you have 6.2?). Ramona said 6.2 doesn't always clear.

Ramona, I really appreciate your telling me how to clear in WE (finally found the file...duh!).

The profile backup is another story. Guess I don't have a lot of space, because with 5 or 6 attempts, it kept giving me message not enough space. (it said it would take 9 minutes to copy...finally got it to 6....if that tells you anything). I know the file was huge, because the recycle bin wouldn't even hold it all at once when I wanted to delete (finally got it to empty by sending and dumping in bits!

Okay...most stupid question of the day.....what is the purpose of backing up Profiles? Is that because Netscape could crash and eat my files? I just don't get it (I would think that if that happened, I would still have my Profile folder in Mozilla)? Okay, I told you it was stupid question. It's just that I have NEVER backed this up (4 1/2 years) before. How often do you suggest backing up (that's assuming I can clear enough space to even do that)?

Thanx! Cynthia

 

Well,
I always use the preference buttons. I never clear the History, which I set to 14 days.
As for the Cache, it works for me. (Besides there were always 4 files left, _CACHE_001_, _CACHE_002_, _CACHE_003_, _CACHE_MAP_ )

I use Netscape 6.2.x, now 6.2.3 (streamline)

When backing up, I always recommend ingoring Cache folder.

 

Luckyfish,

Copying your Profile folder should take seconds not minutes! Empty your Cache folder before backing up the folder.

The benefit is that in the event your prefs.js file (Preferences) should become corrupt, you could lose those preferences. If you lost your Mail or News files, Bookmarks, you have a back up, etc. Then you will always be able to replace those files. Also when upgrading etc., if there is a problem then you always have the original Profiles to use.

How often depends on how frequently you make changes. I back up every day, as I am constantly changing my Bookmarks, Address Book, etc.

Ramona

 

LuckyFish,

Just to let you know that backing up your profiles (including mails) would usually take a few minutes. Particularly if you've been using the same profile for ages and sending/receiving lots of e-mails.

 

Okay Ramona and Antony:

Here's the deal.....tried copying everything in C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\c.ledonne\l8jwh8fi.slt
EXCEPT the cache folder. Still said 7 minutes, still froze up halfway saying not enough space!!

About to pull my hair out! Thanx! Luckyfish

 

Luckyfish,

How much HD space do you have? To find out double click on your "My Computer" Desktop Icon. Then right click on C:\ , select "Properties" and it will give you the free/available HD space. Post back and let us know.

Also, give us your system configuration:
Pentium or AMD
MHz
HD capacity

What I'm getting at, is do you meet the System Requirements for Netscape 6:

Windows 95, 98, or 98SE, Windows Me, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, or Windows XP
Intel Pentium-class 233 MHz (or faster) processor
64 MB RAM
26 MB of free hard disk space

Ramona

 

Ramona:

I'm using Windows 98;
4 GB hard drive;
48 MB SDRAM shared memory architecure??;
199 MB free space.

The little graph picture doesn't look too promising! I checked space about a month ago (before installing 6.2). That must have taken a lot of space, huh?

Time to start deleting stuff, I suppose. I can't afford more memory at the moment.

Please give me good news! Luckyfish

 

LuckyFish,

Clear your cache, and compact your mail folders by NS Mail | Files | Compact Folders.
You might also want to clear History.

You also delete Cache subfolder.

Now, exit Netscape

Use Windows Explorer, go to

C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\

Context click (a.k.a right click) on c.ledonne and select Property.
You will now be able to see the total size of your profile.

If you find that the size is far too big, you can now check what files are taking up spaces, usually mail or newsgroups. You can perform backups in two or more parts.

If your mail is too big, you can organise your mails. Such as moving all old mails into one folder OR delete unwanted messages, particularly with huge attachements. then, back up those folder separately.

 

Luckyfish,

As you can see by the Netscape 6 specifications, you are below spec's for RAM.

The spec's given are minimum and you really need more than specified. You didn't mention your processor? Is it at least 233 Mhz? You need that, and in reality even a faster processor to run Netscape 6. No wonder it takes 6-9 minutes to copy your Profile folder.

I would forget about Netscape 6 and stick with Netscape Communicator.

There are many ways to optimize your HD space:
Do a "Find" for *.tmp and delete all files found
Keep your Cache files cleaned up
Keep your History files cleaned up

Compact your Mail folders in Netscape, as Antony advised. This can be configured to be done automatically on closing:
Edit|Preferences|Mail & Newsgroups|Mail Servers|Edit
Click on the "POP" tab
Enable "Clean up all folders on exit "

It's a good idea to read the Release Notes for these programs before installation. Netscape always gives the System Specifications. It can save you a lot of problems...

Ramona

 

Ramona:

I have an HP Pavillion which I purchased in '98. It has AMD-K6 2/300 processor, and High Velocity V.90. K56flex/Data/Fax Modem----I'm assuming you can decipher all of this---can't say I can!! I cleaned up temp files like you suggested (192 items). I now show I have 291 MB free space.

I am attempting to clear as much space as I can by 'removing programs'. I didn't realize that 6.2 took up so much space--and didn't bother to read the 'fine print'--as I was simply upgrading a program I already had.

As far as compacting Mail folders automatically--I can't find the Mail Servers tab on preferences. This is suppossed to be under Mail & Newsgroups on 6.2?

Thank you. Luckyfish

 

Hi Luckyfish,

Not surprising that you couldn't find the tab for compacting folders.... it isn't there! This is a feature found in Communicator 4.x, and not in Netscape 6.x.

To compact your folders in Netscape 6.x, in Mail and News, click on File|Compact Folders.

You are still under specification requirements for RAM (memory) for Netscape 6, even though your processor meets requirements. With only 298 MB free space on your HD, you will probably run out of resources when using Netscape 6. Run your Resource meter and check it out. The Resource Meter is located in Start|Programs|Accessories|System Tools.

Now, one more thing that I try to clear up when users talk about upgrading their Communicator to Netscape 6. Netscape 6 isn't an upgrade to Communicator. Netscape 6 is a new, from the ground up, program.

Post back if you have more questions.

Ramona

 

Ramona:

Thanx for info on Resource Meter. It shows:

System Resources: 43% free
User Resources: 65% free
GDI Resources: 43% free

Do you still think I'm too short for 6.2 (it is currently installed and running). How about if I uninstall 4.7. Would that be wise since all my Mail stuff 'moved over'?

Thank you. Luckyfish

 

Luckyfish,

Your resources look pretty good. Just keep on truckin' !

Check your resources occasionally, keep your History, Cache, *.tmp files cleaned up on a frequent basis, back up your Profiles folder frequently, and you may be fine.

I wouldn't uninstall Communicator. Just keep it handy, and remember to back up that Users folder, in the event that you have problems with Netscape 6.x.

Good luck!

Ramona

 

Ramona:

What about all those mail files and folders in 4.7. Should I take those out (delete) for more room, since they are now in 6.2? That would give me considerable more room, wouldn't it?

Thanx! Luckyfish

 

Hi Luckyfish,

You could archive your Communicator 4.x Mail Files. Here's how:

Mail Back Up to CD-ROM

Be sure to follow the last suggestion. This will save you some time when you wish to access the archived messages.

If you don't have a burner, then you would have to use floppies and copy each folder separately, if it isn't too large (more than 1.44 MB). I don't let my mail accumulate, but I know that these folders can get quite large.

Ramona