I was trying to do something online and I was told by the web support to change my browser cache setting to 5MB. When I did, it worked.

What exactly is cashe?
Should you clear the cashe?
What should you set the cashe at?

My friend has 50MB and I have 5MB. Whose is better? He doesn't want to clear it. He's concerned about what he would be losing by clearing it. Did I lose anything when I cleared mine?

There are different meanings for the term "cache" depending upon what part of the system that you're discussing. From what you're asking, I assume you mean "Web Cache". If you meant memory caching or disk caching, the following link will explain what they are.

Webopedia - Cache

Web Cache

The "optimal" amount of cache depends upon several factors.

First of all, Web cache is Web data stored on your computer for quicker access. If you visit a site, some of the audios or images may be stored on your computer so that if you should visit that same site again, you don't have to download the same data again. It is already on your system, ready for use. It makes the "Back" and "Forward" function in your Web browser work faster, since previous page data is already available on your system.

It is stored in your login's Temporary Internet Files, normally in the folder:

C:\Documents and Settings\(your login name)\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files

When you use the Internet Options tool to delete the Temporary Internet Files, you're deleting the "cache".

More detailed information can be found here: Webopedia - Web Cache

Now, how much? I think the biggest factors are (1) how fast is your Internet connection and
(2) how much storage capacity does your system have?

(1) A high speed (broadband) system does not need to store very much cache because it downloads data very fast anyway. A person with a dial-up account and sufficient storage space on their system would see faster speeds by using a very large amount of space set aside for Web cache.

(2) Today's large hard drives make storage of large amounts of Web cache possible. But the down side to this is if you encounter a corrupted Internet File. This problem can cause lots of different kinds of symptoms, usually cleared by emptying the Temporary Internet Files.

Since my 3 systems are connected to high speed broadband, I set all of my systems to a minimal level (about 1200 Mb). But then I have to empty this cache frequently since I write and edit lots of Webpages. In order to be sure that I'm seeing the latest Webpage edit and not a page stored in the Temporary Internet Files, I have to empty the list and then open the new or edited page. This also gives me a much better idea of how long any particular page will take to load for first time visitors.

Finally, what happens to all this cache when the storage limit setting is reached? When the limit setting is reached, the new data will replace the old data automatically, usually on a first in, first out basis.

To see the amount of cache set in your system, in Internet Options, click the Tools menu in Internet Explorer, then Internet Options. The Internet Options applet is also available in the Control Panel.

See this picture

I hope this helps!

Dwight

By the way the term "cache" or "caché" means "hidden" or to "set aside" in French.
Which explains " It can be either a reserved section of main memory or an independent high-speed storage device", as Dwight,s first source mentioned.

quote:

But then I have to empty this cache frequently since I write and edit lots of Webpages. In order to be sure that I'm seeing the latest Webpage edit and not a page stored in the Temporary Internet Files, I have to empty the list and then open the new or edited page. This also gives me a much better idea of how long any particular page will take to load for first time visitors.

I am using Firefox and have my setting at 5MB. I WAS editing a webpage. Now I know why support needed me to clear it. I just couldn't see the edited page. (very frustrating)

Thanks for Dwight and Mozart. It makes sense now.