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Secure deletion of files
I would like to securely remove all data from a PC before selling it, and I
know there are plenty of programs that claim to do this, but I have a question. As I understand it, if I want to permanently delete a file, what these programs will do is find all the spaces allocated to that file by the operating system, and overwrite them with random data so that the file is not just invisible to an ordinary user, but actually no longer exists. This is OK, but what about a file which I "deleted" some time ago, just by moving it into the trash and then emptying the trash? I won't be able to find it, so how can I issue a command to the "cleaning" program to deal with it? |
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#2
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Secure deletion of files
allanb wrote:
I would like to securely remove all data from a PC before selling it, and I know there are plenty of programs that claim to do this, but I have a question. As I understand it, if I want to permanently delete a file, what these programs will do is find all the spaces allocated to that file by the operating system, and overwrite them with random data so that the file is not just invisible to an ordinary user, but actually no longer exists. This is OK, but what about a file which I "deleted" some time ago, just by moving it into the trash and then emptying the trash? I won't be able to find it, so how can I issue a command to the "cleaning" program to deal with it? The best way to handle this is to do at least a Dept. of Defense wipe on the drive. Then format the drive and install Windows if you want to sell it with the operating system. If you do this, make sure you give the buyer the Windows install disk and any other licensed software you install. A free and excellent utility is Darik's Boot and Nuke. You make a bootable CD, boot with it, and then follow instructions. At the end the drive will be completely wiped. http://dban.sourceforge.net/ - Darik's Boot and Nuke Malke -- MS-MVP Elephant Boy Computers www.elephantboycomputers.com Don't Panic! |
#3
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Secure deletion of files
From: "Malke"
| | The best way to handle this is to do at least a Dept. of Defense wipe on the | drive. Then format the drive and install Windows if you want to sell it | with the operating system. If you do this, make sure you give the buyer the | Windows install disk and any other licensed software you install. | | A free and excellent utility is Darik's Boot and Nuke. You make a bootable | CD, boot with it, and then follow instructions. At the end the drive will | be completely wiped. | | http://dban.sourceforge.net/ - Darik's Boot and Nuke | | Malke If one has the Norton/Symantec utilities, GDisk can be used to sanitize a hard disk. -- Dave http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html Multi-AV - http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp |
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