Help for Cable customers

Computers need to be maintained from time to time to ensure you are getting the best performance from them. This section explains some of the quick and easy steps you can take to help keep your computer working smoothly, including deleting temporary internet files and emptying the recycle bin. There’s also some advice for more advanced users.

Delete temporary internet files (the “cache”)

The “cache” is an area that keeps a record of all the web pages that you visit, and stores them on your computer for future use. The benefit of this is that pages you regularly visit take less time to display because your computer only needs to download new content. The downside is that the cache can start to clutter up your hard disk after a time, and may significantly slow your broadband connection. So it’s a good idea to clear your cache from time to time.

How you clear the cache depends on what computer you've got and what software you use:

• Use Internet Explorer on Windows 7? Click here and follow the steps.
• Use Internet Explorer on Windows Vista? Click here and follow the steps.
• Use Internet Explorer on Windows XP? Click here and follow the steps.
• Use Safari on a Mac? Click here and follow the steps.

Empty the recycle bin/trash

All the files that you delete from your computer are normally stored in the recycle bin (PC) or trash (Mac) so that you can retrieve them at a later date – just in case you’ve deleted something accidentally.

From time to time you need to empty your recycle bin or trash, as this can take up a sizeable amount of space on your computer and slow you down.

How you empty your recycle bin or trash depends on what computer you’ve got and which software you use.

• Use Windows 7? Click here and follow the steps.
• Use Windows Vista or XP? Click here and follow the steps.
• Got a Mac? Click here and follow the steps.
• Use Windows 2000 or Windows 98? Click here and follow the steps.