# The Invisible Internet Address **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 19, 2000, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-invisible-internet-address/26157 "2000-07-19T22:47:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![xicanorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a88e57/32.png) [@xicanorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xicanorex)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2000, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-invisible-internet-address/26157/1 "2000-07-19T22:47:09Z")
OK, I’ll admit it: I’ve been a bad, bad, bad boy. Here is my question. Everynight after doing my share of websurfing from the nice to not-so-nice, I erase my cookies and history in my IE web browser. I check again to make sure the internet addresses are not appearing after deleting “history” in the tools/internet options of IE. Up to now, it’s all clear. BUT, just recently, two or three address have appeared eventhough I deleted them. I consulted a PC magazine and stated to do search through “history” button and then when they appear erase them. BUT IT DOES NOT WORK! The dang internet address are still there! I did a file search through the whole hard drive and nothing, but THE INFORMATION STILL THERE. HELP! Anyone with tips on how to get rid of this unsightly addresses? muchos thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2000, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-invisible-internet-address/26157/2 "2000-07-19T23:17:12Z")
Did you reset your computer AFTER erasing the websites? Sometimes Windows will keep a “picture” of itself until you do. There are programs like Window Washer that will definitely rid your computer of such things. ---
**Author:** ![xicanorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a88e57/32.png) [@xicanorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xicanorex)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2000, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-invisible-internet-address/26157/3 "2000-07-19T23:29:33Z")
“Did you reset your computer AFTER erasing the websites?” Nope. I just went to “Tool” scrolled down to “internet option” and then chose “clear history”. I also tried goint to “history” button, chose “search” button, typed in the offending site, the address appeared, clicked on it, and press delete. Problem is, it is still there. Should I then reset just after deleted? “There are programs like Window Washer that will definitely rid your computer of such things.” Can you give me a link? Is it freeware? Thanks for the information. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2000, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-invisible-internet-address/26157/4 "2000-07-19T23:43:42Z")
LOL - who’s a naughty boy !! I use this to wash out the cookies (albeit for different reasons). Not sure if this is what you mean but it seems to work for my purposes.: [http://www.webroot.com/down1.htm](http://www.webroot.com/down1.htm) ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2000, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-invisible-internet-address/26157/5 "2000-07-20T04:32:57Z")
Reinstalling Windows and IE will generally take care of the problem but if not, then you may need to install a new video card. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2000, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-invisible-internet-address/26157/6 "2000-07-20T14:15:33Z")
You have to clear your disk & memory browser caches. Don’t sound like you did. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2000, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-invisible-internet-address/26157/7 "2000-07-20T14:52:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sailor \* > \*\*Reinstalling Windows and IE will generally take care of the problem but if not, then you may need to install a new video card. \*\* Hmmmm… possibly but I think it’s more likely he needs to move the read-write slider on the hard drive to the “write” position. :rolleyes: