Why does my hubby keep erasing the computer?

Question

About once or twice a week he blanks out the computer. The only reason I notice is because I have to re-enter all my passwords, so I'll check the history and see that it's all gone. So if he's reset everything, how can I find out what he's been up to? He is very good with computers, where I am not. Please help.

1) He resets it one to two times per week, not once every two weeks.

2) When I ask him, he says he's just "cleaning it up." He never "cleaned it up" before, just constantly in the past few months.

3) He is VERY good with computers. Very. He would definitley know if I installed something on it.

4) Whatever is happening is not automatic, it is something he is doing to "blank" it. He said so.

5) I joked around and told him to stop resetting everything because I'm too lazy to re-enter everything back in, but he didn't respond.

6) He's never in the house alone, so I doubt that he's looking at something as involved as porn, but even if he does look, I woudn't care.

Answer 1

YOU MAY WANT TO PRINT THIS OUT...

If he's really good at computers, then it'll be difficult to find evidence of any wrongdoings, short of purchasing some monitoring software (like SpectorSoft Spector Pro). But you can try this step first to see if he didn't clean up all his steps.

Open My Computer.
Click the Tools menu at the top, followed by Folder Options.
Click the View tab at the top of the window.
Scroll down a bit and look for the option to "Show hidden files and folders". Click this option.
Scroll down a few more lines and make sure there isn't a check mark in front of "Hide protected operating system files". If there is a check mark there, click once to uncheck it.
Click OK.

Now, inside My Computer still, double-click on Local Disk (C:)--the name might be slightly different, but just look for and double-click on the C: drive.
Double-click Documents and Settings.
Double-click on your husband's username.
Double-click on Local Settings.
Double-click on Temporary Internet Files.

This should show you a possibly long list of Internet files that have been downloaded to the computer.

Click the View menu at the top of the My Computer window and select Thumbnails. This will give you the easiest way to scroll through the list of files and quickly identify any, well, picture evidence.

If you find what you're looking for, note the name of the file(s).
Click the View menu again at the top and select Details. This will show you the most information about each file.
Find the files you identified and look across the screen at the different columns of information. One column should list the date and time the file was downloaded or accessed. This will give you an idea when the Internet activity occurred, specifically, when the file(s) were downloaded.

IF you don't find what you're looking for here:

Click the <--Back button at the top of the window.
Double-click the Temp folder.
If present, double-click the Temporary Internet Files folder.
Double-click Content.IE5.

Inside this window, you will see a list of randomly-named folders (such as 4PQZGX03, or something similar).
Double-click the first folder to view its contents.
Click the View button at the top of the window and select Thumbnails.
Again, scroll through the list to identify any pictures.
Note the name(s).
Click View and select Details.
Locate the files you've identified and look across the screen for the date modified/acessed info.

Click the <--Back button to get out of this folder, then double-click the next folder in the list. Repeat the last few steps above to look for evidence.

NOW: Once you're finished, don't just close out My Computer. If you want to keep your techniques secret, make sure you re-hide the files and folders that you unhid in the first steps. Here's how:

Inside My Computer, click the Tools menu, then Folder Options.
Click the View tab.
Scroll down a bit and click to select Do not show hidden files and folders.
Scroll down a few more lines and place a check mark in front of Hide protected operating system files.
Click OK and close My Computer.

What you do from here is up to you....

NOTE: I find that the most common reason a person clears his/her history is (obviously) to hide evidence of his/her wrongdoings. Most likely, viewing porn sites. That's why I say to take a look at the pictures downloaded.

This doesn't mean, though, that your husband downloaded EVERY picture you might find, but he visited websites that contained these pictures, and the pictures might have been automatically downloaded just from visiting the page. Either way, you have a good indicator of the websites visited.

Also, porn isn't the only reason. He could be visiting gambling sites, online dating, or a number of other types of not-so-good-for-relationships websites. But, he could also be hiding evidence of that perfect piece of jewelry that he's been shopping online for, and wanting to surprise you with. Or he could be doing some online investing and wants to surprise you once your nest egg reaches a certain size. Let's keep optimistic here. Again, good luck.

Answer 2

The majority of computers are set to clear out the history ever 10-20 days which would add up to your claim of it happening ever 2 weeks or so. It may have nothing to do with your husband being secretive, but rather your computer doing what it's setup to do.

As far as you having to re-enter your passwords, that's all about cookies. Again, every so often they need to be cleared because some websites load off of cache, and if the cache is old, then the website won't load correctly. To fix this problem, the temporary files and cookies need to be deleted.

By saying he is "erasing the computer," it would lead one to believe you're referring to reformatting the computer to make it go back to the default factory settings. Based on your description, this isn't happening.

Go into internet settings and change the time lapse in between the automatic clearing.


*** In response to your additional information, I can't help but ask that if after all that you just said, why is it a big deal then? If you have no concerns on what he's doing or what he's looking at, then why not just overlook it? I would hate for you two to end up putting a wedge in your marriage over something so petty. I wish you the best!

Answer 3

If hes looking at internet porn just buy him some damn porn from an adult shop and be done with it. or watch it with him. if hes looking at internet porn simply ask him what hes doing on the computer. porn is not a bad thing but it could very well be something else that is bad. Remember scott peterson? his internet history was everything laci peterson would have needed to look at to know what he was thinking and about to do. If its kiddie porn or he just wont answer you throw away the computer (sell it, trash it, whatever you have to do)

If its porn maybe just buy him some videos. but you definately should ask him whats up. my guess is that not a lot of communication goes on between you two.

Answer 4

I found out right after me & my hubby married, that he was playing on the puter. I learned how to search for what he was doing & I still know how. I used to waste a lot of energy on searching, but I got so tired of doing that, that theres no need any longer. I already know if hes trying to find someone, he will & hopefully he goes on his way & quit wasting my life away.
I did found out though if I go to program, accessories & disk cleanup, it gives me a file I can look at that saves the history. I believe it was called data, but it holds every web site he visited. So search on & dont be too upset to see what you find! Nothing surprises me any longer.

Answer 5

Sorry! Question: Are you sure it doesn't happen as a result of your anti-virus software cleaning out the window's temporary files and cleaning your passwords so that spy-ware cannot attack your system?

It is a good idea to run a weekly check with one's anti-virus software. I do it. And it does cause my computer to lose passwords.

It shouldn't affect the boot-up password though.

Why don't you ask him?

Answer 6

If he is so good with computers, let him know that every time he erases "his" history (for whatever reason- don't make a big deal of it right now), let him know that he is erasing some of your stuff also. Just let him know that it is a bit annoying. Don't get into a fight over "What are you trying to hide from me????"

Just let him know that it is affecting your computer usage when he does this.

Answer 7

He must be looking at porn and chattin to other women on the computer. He doesn't want you to know thats why hes reseting the computer. You dont have to be a rocket scientist to know that. Get revenge on him somehow

Answer 8

Unless your a genius you can't, it would take a lot of work. He might be looking at some really disgusting porn, like rape or animals or something. Also deleting can be good for your computer occasionally

Answer 9

you can go to a computer store and buy a software to check all files and read things that he erases... everything that he erases are off the history but are still on the hard drive.. what do you think he is doing? check his email address for a myspace

Answer 10

maybe hes not up to anything im the same way every 4 to 5 days i delete every thing because if you dont clean and delete stuff in your computer thing start moving slow

or maybe hes doing something bad lol