Browser Cache FAQ

1. Why Do I Need To Clear My Cache?
2. How Do I Manually Clear My Cache When Using Microsoft Internet Explorer?
3. How Can I Make Sure My Cache is Cleared Automatically When Using Microsoft Internet Explorer?
4. How Do I Manually Clear My Cache When Using Netscape Navigator?
5. How Can I Make Sure My Cache is Cleared Automatically When Using Netscape Navigator?

Even though pages on this Web site are updated regularly, you may be viewing old information if your browser's cache (pronounced "cash," a type of electronic memory) is not being cleared as frequently as it should be.

Generally, the first time you enter a Web address, your browser goes to the Internet to get the information you are requesting and temporarily stores it in the cache.  When you request information at the same address again, your browser goes to the cache first, rather than directly to the Internet, to retrieve the information.  For this reason, the information stored in the cache may be outdated.

To avoid getting stale information, start by clicking the Refresh/Reload button on your tool bar.  This will clear out the old information for your current session and bring in fresh information from the Internet.  We recommend that you set your browser so that the cache is automatically cleared out frequently and your system is always retrieving fresh information directly from the Internet.

• Press the Refresh button, or use the menu options View, Refresh.
   
  • This will update any Web page stored in your disk cache with the latest content on the Web.

• If Refresh fails to display the updated page, empty your Internet Explorer cache:
   
  • For Internet Explorer version 4.0:
    1. On the View menu of your toolbar, click Internet Options.
    2. Click the General tab.
    3. In the Temporary Internet files area, click Delete Files, then click OK.
    4. Click OK to close Internet Options.
        
  • For Internet Explorer version 5.0, 5.5, 6.0:
    1. On the Tools menu of your toolbar, click Internet Options.
    2. Click the General tab.
    3. In the Temporary Internet files area, click Delete Files, then click OK.
    4. Click OK to close Internet Options

1. On the Tools menu of your toolbar, click Internet Options.
2. Click the General tab.
3. In the Temporary Internet files area, click Settings.
4. Select the radio button for Automatically, then click OK.
5. Click OK to close Internet Options.

• Press the Reload button, or use the menu options View, Reload.
   
  • Netscape checks with the server to see if an update has occurred before bringing a page from cache.  If any change to the page has occurred, a fresh version is transmitted from the Web; otherwise, a copy is quickly retrieved from cache.

• If Reload fails to display the updated page, press the Reload button while holding down the Ctrl key (Option key on Macintosh).
   
  • Netscape retrieves a fresh version from the Web whether the page has been updated or not. Cache is not used.  This type of reload is useful if you suspect the cached copy of a page has been corrupted.

• If Reload while holding down Ctrl fails, empty your Netscape cache:
  • For Netscape version 4.7, 6.0, 7.0:
    1. On the Edit menu of your toolbar, click Preferences.
    2. Click the Advanced category and select Cache.
    3. Click the Clear Disk Cache button and the Clear Memory Cache button.
    4. Click OK.

1. From the Edit menu, choose preferences
2. Open the Advanced category; then click Cache
3. Select the radio button for Every time, then click OK