how does one check to see if there are any on one's computer?? I don't have any idea about this, all I know is that my dad was taking about 1600 off his during the holidays and I was wondering how I might do the same? I have Windows XP if that helps.

also, how does one defrag?

1)start menu -> control panel -> internet option -> in the 'Temporary Internet File', click settings -> click 'View Files'

2)start menu -> all programs -> accesories -> system tools -> disk defragmanter

good luck [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

To find your cookies... Look in windows\cookies, or if you use logins for your computer, windows\profiles\<your user ID>\cookies.

Some cookies are good... like the one IW puts out there after you log in. Some are bad... like those for spyware and other malware. You can probably nuke them in most cases without any more hassle than simply having to log in again.

Some browsers may store the cookies elsewhere; I use IE, and that's where it puts them. If you want to really get rid of them, go to Tools, Internet Options and click on the Delete Cookies button. Again, that's IE; other browsers (and earlier IE versions) may not have such a feature.

seeing as we are on this sort of subject, how can you do the same with your registry files?

With extreme care, thats how. Cookies are safe, nothing depends on them to function. Losing a good cookie just means you have to log in again.

Damaging your registry can kill your machine stone dead.

That said, start->run->regedit will get you into the registry. The programs adaware and spybotSD will remove many malwares from the registry without you having to do anything by hand. A virus scanner is a good idea as well. MSconfig gives you a safer way to disable startup entries, again without neccesitating you altering keys by hand.

If you do have to go into the registry for some reason, see if you can find an automated tool to do it - almost all major viruses have a symantech fixtool to remove them - or a step-by-step guide. And take a backup before changing anything.

hey thanks!

good to see another scotsman on here