what is meant by "cache flushing"? 1

[projector1]

Hi
i would be greatful if somebody could explain what is meant by flushing the cache.
Thanks

 

[gpalmer711]

There are several cache's on your computer, these hold recently used data. This makes your computer run quicker, as it needs only to look in the cache for a specific file rather than search whole drives.

You also have a Cache for internet files, a good example is pictures. When you view a web page for the first time a copy of all the pictures are stored in your "Temporary Internet Files" folder. Next time you view the web page, the browser can just display the cached images instead of downloading them again.

However the cache's can become too big, this can actually cause the performace to deteriorate and cause other problems.

Using the Disk Cleanup tool is a good way of clearing these cache's

Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup

Greg Palmer
Free Software for Adminstrators

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[Sympology]

If clearing the i.e cache, by far the quickest way is to Do a right click properties on the icon (or open and go to tools > Internet Option) and click the Delete Files under the General tab.
Depending how big and full it is and how pokey your pc is, it can take between 1 second and a few minutes.
As a note, windows can allow this to be huge dependant on the size of harddrive. If running broadband, drop it down to a more sensible size as there is less need to worry about downloading that 1k picture.

Stu..

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[bcastner]

Not all caches are disk-based. For example, there is a cache of recently resolved DNS entries, there is a cache of recently read sections of the hard disk drive, and several others that are RAM-based storage. Often you need a command line switch to deliberatly flush these types of RAM caches.

 

[Grenage]

If I recall correctly, the command for flushing the aforementioned DNS is:

ipconfig /flushdns (in 2k/XP)