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?

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!

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