When viewing files on a CDrw, are those files cached on the PC and can someone retrieve them if they know where to look or by using retrival software.

The only caching that would go on would be if you were viewing saved web-pages - so the answer is really no.

If you want to retrieve current or old versions of files on the CD I would first try isobuster from http://www.smart-projects.net/framepage.htm?http://www.smart-projects.net/main.htm

If you access a file on a CD (or CD-R, or CD-RW, or DVD, or floppy for that matter), the file is moved into RAM, which is wiped clean as soon as you power off. Unless the RAM is full, in which case it's moved to the swapfile on your hard drive, which is wiped whenever Windows writes over that specific bit of information. Conceivably, recent information written to the swapfile could be retrieved, but it would take a data recovery tool and some time.

Oh, and welcome to the forums. :)

Good catch on the web page caching, Paul - forgot about that. That can be taken care of by deleting temporary internet files in IE, or it's equivalent in whatever other browser you might be using.

Welcome to the PC Guide Forums!!! :D

Not generally, but it depends on the file type. For instance, picture and text files, no. They are opened directly and closed directly, no caching involved. HTML and other web-oriented content, possibly, depending on the browser and the caching techniques used. Interactive files like JavaScript or PowerPoint can't be cached simply by viewing, but a quick trip to "Save As..." cures all. ;)

I guess it really depends on what kind of files you're talking about. But in general, the answer is no.