Electronic Resources: Troubleshooting ... and Beyond

A guide to assist with electronic resources access and alerting users to temporary outages.

All About Your Browser Cache

  1. What is a browser cache? Web browser locally store web sites on your computer's hard drive which is callled the "cache".  The cache contains a history of all visited sites as well as images, audio files.  Cookies are also stored in the cache.  They are often stored in the Temporary Internet Files folder.
  2. What is the purpose of browser cache? Upon revisiting a site, the browser will retrieve files from the cache instead of downloading the entire site again.
  3. What potential problems may arise with the cache? In many cases, the cached pages will not be current.  When the cache is full, the browser's performance will slow down.  If you are having problems accessing an electronic resource, it is advisable to clear the cache in order to ensure you are accessing the most current site and not accessing a prior search session which has timed out.
  4. How can I resolve problems? Periodically clear the cache to ensure you are viewing the most current site and for the speed of your browser.

Clearing the Browser Cache: Google Chrome

Google Chrome

  1. Click the wrench icon wrench icon on the browser toolbar.
  2. Select .Tools
  3. Select Clear browsing data.
  4. In the dialog that appears, select the checkboxes for the types of information that you want to remove.
  5. Use the menu at the top to select the amount of data that you want to delete. Select beginning of time to delete everything.
  6. Click Clear browsing data.

Clearing the Browser Cache: FireFox

Firefox 2.0-3.0

  1. Click Tools in the upper toolbar and select Clear Private Data.
  2. Check and . Cachecookies
      - Note, you can select other data you would like to clear as well
  3. Click the Clear Private Date Now button.
  4. Exit and re-launch the browser.

 Firefox 3.5-3.6

  1. Click in the upper toolbar and select . ToolsClear Recent History
  2. Select the Time Range to clear (drop-down menu).
      - Select Everything to clear all cache.
  3. Click Details to choose what history elements to clear.
      - e.g. cache and cookies
  4. Click the Clear Now button.
  5. Exit and re-launch the browser.

Clearing the Browser Cache: Safari

Safari 4.0 & Up

  1. Open .Safari
  2. Click in the left menu bar or click on the icon in the right toolbar.
  3. Select Reset Safari from the drop-down.
  4. Choose what history and other elements to clear.
  5. Click the Reset button.
  6. Exit and re-launch the browser.

Clearing the Browser Cache: IE

Internet Explorer 7

  1. Open Internet Options by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Network and Internet, and then clicking Internet Options.

  2. Click the General tab, and then, under Browsing history, click Delete.

  3. Click Delete all, click Yes to confirm that you want to delete this information, and then click OK.

Internet Explorer 8

  1. Open Internet Options by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Network and Internet, and then clicking Internet Options.

  2. Click the Safety button, and then click Delete Browsing History.

  3. Select the check box next to each category of information you want to delete.

  4. Select the Preserve Favorites website data check box if you do not want to delete the cookies and files associated with websites in your Favorites list.

  5. Click Delete. This could take awhile if you have a lot of files and history.

URL: https://libguides.colostate.edu/eresources | Print Page
Subjects: Special Topics