view cleared history

[carrot]

Hi!
I want to be able to look at the history for IE6 in windows XP after it has been cleared.
kinda like this
http://microsuck.com/content/ms-hidden-files.shtml
thanx in advance

Carpe Diem

LOL they wont let me put the website URL
hahahaha
(*f-word*microsoft.com)

[ErnieK]

If you are using FAT32 file system (or convert from NTFS to FAt32) and then try to follow the Riddlers instructions using his step by step guide (about half way down the page)

[carrot]

I thought all that was only for IE5?
plus i am on NTFS and cant switch back to FAT32, besides wouldnt it erase all the stuff i am looking for anyway if i had to reformat my hard drive to FAT32?

Carpe Diem

[ErnieK]

The reason it only mention IE5 is because that is when the program was written.

Even after Fdisking and formating a drive things can still be recovered from the drive using specialised software. The following will give you an idea of what I am talking about http://www.recovermyfiles.com/

If you have Partition Magic (or similar program) you can use this to switch from NTFS to Fat32 and back again without loss of data. You can download a trial version Here
http://www.soft32.com/download_151.html

If you decide to give Partition Magic a try, before doing so please ensure that you have a full working backup of your computer. This is only a SUGGESTION and like all things carries its risks

[carrot]

so what, does the thing the riddler showed only work for internet explorer if the drive is foramted in FAT32? that would be weird.
thanx for all your help so far!!

Carpe Diem

[ErnieK]

To be able to follow his instructions you have to be able to boot into dos.

[carrot]

i get it. and the only way to boot into dos is to convert your hard drive to FAT32 right?
or is there some program that i can use to burn a CD to do it?

[ErnieK]

the only way to boot into dos is to convert your hard drive to FAT32As far as I know yes.

or is there some program that i can use to burn a CD to do it?
I have never given that a thought and do not know if this would be possible or not.

[Paul Komski]

You should be able to use the command prompt in WinXP. Enter cmd in the run box to open it. Close down IE first if it is in use.

Navigate to "C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files" substituting your own for <your username>.

When you get to the Temporatry Internet files folder enter:
cd content.ie5
... even thought that folder is apparently hidden

When in the content.ie5 folder type dir and you should be able to see the index.dat file in there - so copy and rename it by entering
copy index.dat C:\index.txt

(putting it in the root of C:\ is just the easiest bit of typing to do)

Now open index.txt in a text editor. There will be a lot of gobbledygook but if you search for http you should be able to find the links in there. EditPadLite (http://www.editpadpro.com/editpadlite.html) will show up the hyperlinks which makes them much easier to see but ensure that word wrap is turned on to help with viewing things.

[carrot]

thanx a million!!! it worked perfectly.
is there anyway to do this with other browsers, say netscape or firefox?
or are they to amazing. lol

[Paul Komski]

Only MS uses hidden index.dat files to keep a record of things even after one is supposed to have cleared them.

[carrot]

Ya, I thought so.
Thank you for all the help!!
ErnieK, thank u too