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DELINDEX.BAT deletes index.dat files, and optionally other files. This was posted on the tail end of #19324, so I'm reposting it here.
A new version of DELINDEX BAT is almost ready. The new version goes to a help/explanation screen (instead of just running) and then gives you a choice of a more or less aggressive version (all you have to do is key in M or L --or Q to quit).
Once it's finished, then what?
* Should I post it so people can cut and paste it into their own editor?
* Should somebody else post it on a web site?
* What if I just offered to email it to anybody who asks for it?Aesthetically, it would come out a whole lot nicer if I emailed it or it was downloadable. It seems that when I cut and paste into a post here, some of the spacing is altered, and I think here I have to be careful that the entire line length doesn't exceed 79 characters. Also box drawing characters that would make it look nicer don't show up correctly on posts.
Any suggestions?
At first i thought the download idea was a good one. A link to the finished product with a few instructions would make it easy to use, and anyone could offer the link at any time. I struggled with the download idea a little bit after the "problem posts" and eventually decided to just pull it from my space. The thought of someone just "taking my word for it" about this batch file i know little about and then running it without knowing what it does worries me. It reminds me of the "how do i format and reinstall windows" posts that get the typical "use your boot disk to fdisk and format the drive" responses. For some those directions do not work and more information is required before offering advice. It sounds like youve gone to great lengths to address this issue with the latest version. I especially like the help page popping up letting people know what it does before they press go.
I suggest placing the finished product on some free webspace along with basic info to get the file on the start up disk and how to execute it. You should also post your user name along with your email address or a link to this forum incase someone has a question. Then place the link to the download page here at computing.net so the regulars can save it/offer it to people looking to delete the index.dat file and other internet rubble.
As for cut n paste from the forum... Ive used your posts from the first one till the last one just last week without issue. Before uploading either to the web i beta tested each of them to make sure i created them correctly. My only error was attempting to run it from the dos prompt in winme. Then i restarted with the bootdisk inserted and ran it from the A prompt and it worked perfectly.
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I like the download idea best.Smuod,your idea was ok.Millions of web sites offer "free" programs that cause plenty of grief for unsuspecting people...Also had same thing happen.Was trying to open the batch file to look and it ran in windows,but works fine with boot disk.RM thanks for the effort.I had pasted that batch file from another post you were helping me with,but I couldnt get it to work.The download was a cool idea.I look forward to the new version.
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I've just tried it all ways (cut and paste from post) as well.
All the text on a startdisk.
Just the lines on startdisk.
EBD / command.com and IO.SYS disk, with text And just the lines.
They too worked perfectly.
All very neat and very simple.Love the suggestions from ShutMeUpOrDown and looking forward to seeing the new version. If I can think of anything new or original to add I will, but from where i'm sitting you have covered all the main angles above.
Viking
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Hey Ren-Man..go for the download.. make it easy for us newbies..this to me is the best learning site going. The remarks is what makes or breaks it for me. thanks for all the posts so far I hve them all logged and printed..but (not tried)..
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i too vote for the download. makes it easy for a newbie. the only complaint i have is the aggressive version deletes my Google Toolbar, the standard version does not. so i been using that one.RN, i appreciate ur sharing this handy tool with us. keep up the good works.
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Gene--
Interesting. I love Google, but don't have their toolbar. Where is it stored, and what is it called?
Some of the main reasons to delete the Cookies and Temporary Internet Files folders is that a) they're probably full of spyware and b) they're probably full of cookies for websites you'll never visit again.
I'm not as sure about the Dowloaded Program Files, although I've never had a problem with deleting the contents. It was someone else's post that got me to include that folder.
If anyone has a suggestion on how to delete junk files without deleting the Google toolbar, please post here.
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Speaking of google toolbar. Is there a way to set google as your default search tool in IE?
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Gerri - thanks for your comment about the comments. The new version, which I'll post on Valentine's day, is just full of info, comments, explanations, and even a way to run it without all the info (after all how many times do you need to read the same thing?
I do not have a web site, although my ISP will let me have a small one for free. I do not know about setting one up, or how to provide downloads. I'd like to learn, but it's NOT a priority.
I did set up a new Yahoo email account, and I sent delindex.bat as an attachement to my other email account, and it downloaded itself as well as any download I've ever used. I assume I'll have to sent it out as DELINDEX (since some browsers will not download executable file attachments). All that the recipient will have to do is rename it to DELINDEX.BAT.
Even if I emailed it to everyone who ever asked about index.dat files, or commented on one version or another of delindex on this forum, how many could that possibly be? Anyone see a problem with this idea?
The final version will NOT delete the Google Toolbar!
Yes, George, there is a way to set google as the default in IE. Info is on their website.
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george
http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/windowstips/story/0,24330,3370170,00.html
yahoo's default search engine is google
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RM,
Yep, I see a problem with that.I told a friend about this site some time ago. He has a quick nosey around every now and again. His interest level isn't great !
But he certainly understands the value of picking up a quick fix here and product recommendations there.I mentioned to him that there was a disk he could do that would save him manually deleting his crap every night and duly emailed him all the links relating to
Index.dat and then Delindex.bat.The next time i saw him his eyes lit up and he grinned and said all the guys at work (that have ME) now have this disk.
You know where i'm coming from with this.
Why not use SMOUD's idea of using free web space to create a spartan but effective black on white text page (s) ......similar to :
http://www.geocities.com/mfd4life_2000/I had a look at Angelfire the other week and it practically does Everything for you ...No fun :):)
It's then up for people to link to, and the world to see. This will give you breathing space to bone up on downloads and the fancy bits as I call them :) At a later date ?
Just a thought RM
Viking
(Do these words make any sense at all ? it's late.) :)
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Viking--
Much thanks for the feedback! But where did "all the guys at work" get Delindex?
Did they get it from each other, or from Computing.net? If they're adept enough to get it by cut and paste, they wouldn't need to download or have it emailed. Are we talking dozens, hundreds, thousands...?
But you do give me pause to offer to email it!
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1000's? heh..
Think of the revenue via banner ads :)
Dare i say popups?"vote for me at this site or your download will be corrupted"
4 the record J/K
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RM,
I imagine, but don't know yet (but will ask), that a bit of both has happened ! I'm guessing that the links i sent my friend have done the rounds, and that this site, out of curiosity, has been visited and mentally logged (great for Justin!).The point i'm trying to make rightly or wrongly, is if you offer to email it to people - word of mouth "could" go into overdrive and instead of people sussing out that you just copy and paste Delindex into notepad (Despite it being mentioned), they then just take the easy option.
If you then get tired of emailing due to popularity, this leaves the real newbies who genuinely need a helping hand with it, short changed.
The web page idea would work as a great first stop off point for the majority (decoy if you like). As time goes by put the download option in.
In the mean time see how you go with the email option, as only time is really going to tell it's popularity.I will mention this to my friend and in turn his friends and get some feedback back as to what they would have used, either copy and paste directly from here OR the email option if available.
I know where my money is going, but I will have a quick suss out of the situation anyway.Forever flying kites
Viking
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Renaissance Man,
I was reading a newspaper pullout yesterday and an article on this got my attention.
I've not had a chance to look into any of it yet, but I like the look of it. Maybe you might ?
http://www.blogger.com/(lol - although as I post this I get page cannot be displayed !)
Viking
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RM
i dont anything much about it but Yahoo has a briefcase u can upload files to for sharing.
perhaps that might be an option for u.
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RM
should have been above: i dont KNOW anything much about it but Yahoo has a briefcase u can upload files to for sharing.
http://briefcase.yahoo.com/
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I went to Yahoo and there's no info BEFORE you sign up as to exactly what this is, and when I tried to sign up this is what I got:
Service is temporarily unavailable.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
Please try again later.How is this different from a website?
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RM
http://briefcase.yahoo.com/
i went to the site & it is up now : 8PM EST
when u get to the site, go here & select:
Share With Friends / My Documents / Select
notice u can share the files u put in the briefcase with the public
sounds like it might be an ideal solution on how to distribute ur batch file, might save u alot of emailng & time involved. also it is free.
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As of 9:10pm EST, you can get to http://briefcase.yahoo.com/ but when I try to sign up I still get
Service is temporarily unavailable.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
Please try again later.This is after I key in the number.
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