HD defrag and hidden file?!? Help!

[cjules13]

So I cleaned off a ton of huge files on my 40GB internal drive to do some serious de-fragging to clean up my disk.

All the 700MB files were cleaned off and deleted. So when I do the defrag with the regular system tool built into XP Home, it finishes and provides a report on which files could not be defragged. Included in the list is this line:

Fragments - File Size - Files that cannot be defragmented
263 ---------- 703 MB -- \Documents and Settings\New\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\8DEZW9YF\The.****.(Xvid.ReEnc.DT M)[1].avi

Meaning that this file still appears to the system as being present and spread out all over the HD.

QUESTION: I can't navigate to this file in Explorer, as there appears to be no folder named "Content.IE5" that I can find. I've added the option to show hidden files and directories, I can't even navigate through the cmd prompt (or at least not properly) and a windows search for the exact file title turns up zilch.

The windows defrag tool reports 14.66GB free, and that jives with what appears free on C: in explorer too, so I know that the 703MB is still getting used up and I can see the fragments in the defrag tool too.

How can I get rid of this file? I never put it there in the first place, and it's a mystery how it got there? Why won't search find it?

Thanks much in advance for any help!

[Kyle06]

Have you ever heard of windows washer?
that might help

[Lehk]

you have to type in the path to get to content.IE, it is a system folder *BE CAREFUL* i screwed up IE once deleting stuff from there

[cjules13]

you have to type in the path to get to content.IE, it is a system folder *BE CAREFUL* i screwed up IE once deleting stuff from there

Where would I "type in the path"? from a cmd prompt?

[fireforce555]

I had a similar problem with my internet explorer cache files. No matter what I did I couldnt delete them, I just killed the contents of the folder in DOS.

DELTREE /y C:\WINDOWS\TEMPOR~1\*.*

It deletes EVERYTHING in that file folder.

[cpugeniusmv]

deltree doesn't work in xp anymore...

rd /s /q

[cjules13]

deltree doesn't work in xp anymore...

What if I did just delete the entire Temporary Internet files directory? Would this file go away? Would anything else bad happen?


rd /s /q

Is this a command I should know about? :wings

Nobody knows how to explore down to that level? Impossible?

[cpugeniusmv]

that command is the command to delete a directory, and everything inside it...

you could just do it in windows if you want....

i'd give it a try :)

[fireforce555]

Deleting the folder shouldnt cause any issues, windows will automatically make the folder again when it boots up. Never caused me any, and I have killed that folder hundreds of times.


I use 98SE, so I didnt know what works in XP, sorry bout that.

[fireforce555]

CJ, I have the same exact problem.

My Index.dat file has like 4.00 GB on it and i can't defrag it...

I can't find the file and I'm confused and shit.

Can someone explain everything over to defrag this bitch of a file....

Explain it to me like i am a newbie.



I know only outside of windows can it be deleted, its a real bitch of a file. I would just delete it, defraging it sounds like a waste of time.

[MonkeyMadness]

there's a program called Tracks Eraser Pro, it works for 98se and XP, it clears all of your IE cache and deletes those pesky .dat files

[cjules13]

Thanks dudes I killed that sucker... So how'd it end up in there in the first place? M$ magick I suppose.

[cpugeniusmv]

Thanks dudes I killed that sucker... So how'd it end up in there in the first place? M$ magick I suppose.
that would be my guess.

[SuitablyTwisted]

yes, another insidious Micro$uck invention. There are several index.dat files scattered throughout XP. I use xcleanerfree (yes, it's freeware) to eliminate them. There are also excellent products out there that cost money. Check www.spywareinfo.com for product reviews. Gotta wash them Windows, never know who may be spying on you besides Mr. Bill........

[phalkon30]

Did you even try the windows disk cleaner program? Right click on your hard drive (in my computer), and select properties. Then do disk cleanup. No need for tons of fancy little programs that run the same commands.