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How To Wipe Out An Old PC

Discussion in 'Other PC Software' started by Panda, 2007/07/15.

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  1. 2007/07/30
    mailman Lifetime Subscription

    mailman Geek Member

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    Yep! Wipe Info is still part of Norton SystemWorks 2006 at least. Can use either "Fast Wipe" mode or "Government Wipe" mode. Can configure it to repeat the entire wipe process a set number of times. Can use it to wipe files, folders (including subfolders if desired), or free space. Reportedly does NOT overwrite filenames though. Symantec cautions the user to not store sensitive information in filenames.

    EDIT: I do not know whether/how Wipe Info handles the "Cluster Tip Area" (as shown in PeteC 's Eraser image) or Alternate Data Streams.
     
    Last edited: 2007/07/30
    mailman,
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  2. 2007/07/30
    Panda Lifetime Subscription

    Panda Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hmmmmmmmmmm. Erase unused space. I guess that is what I need to do then. Sorry I forgot to mention that I had already cleaned up the PC by deleting personal programs and folders. I just wanted to wipe out what was deleted so no one could dig for it, not that there's really anything important on there. :rolleyes: Will this also get rid of stored passwords? I don't even know where to look for them.

    Thanks for all the help out there!

    :)
     
    Panda,
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  4. 2007/07/30
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    No - they will not be in the free space. Your best bet is to go into Internet Explorer and turn off Autocomplete. That should delete them, but whether or not that area of the drive will be overwritten I have no idea :)
     
    PeteC,
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  5. 2007/07/30
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    THe above is from the original post.

    My FIRM stance is still-If you wish to be sure that nothing gets passed on FORMAT that HD

    BillyBob
     
    BillyBob,
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  6. 2007/07/30
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    Panda Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thanks. Deleted all the stuff in General.

    BB...I understand what you are saying, but I think I should be good to go with this cleanup.

    Had a problem, though, when I ran Eraser. After about an hour or so, as I was sitting at the table eating, which is where the old PC is sitting, I suddenly got a BLUE SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!!! :eek: It said it was going to shut down windows because of some error. Didn't quite catch the error. Was in panic mode at that time. Did see where it said if it happened again I had some stuff I could do like uninstall all hardware and software recently put on. Gee. Could that have been the Eraser? :rolleyes: Did a few reboots and it seems to be doing ok now. Am just wondering now if it actually completed it's task or not. Not sure how to check that. Also, the Eraser did 1 pass. Think that might be enough?

    :)
     
    Panda,
    #25
  7. 2007/07/31
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    I have not experienced any problems with Eraser, but then I have only used it to erase files & folders, not free space.

    If a dump file was produced run it through our Dump Data Collection Tool ....

    http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=33471 with the rider ....

    Unfortunately these logs require expert knowledge to analyse and no one on the Board at present has the depth of knowledge necessary. However we can make observations and suggestions as to how you might proceed towards finding the cause ....
    No way of knowing I guess - if in doubt repeat the operation. Not having used the free space cleanup utility I don't know if it is configurable in terms of passes.

    Edit - yes it is - hit the 0ptions button on the dialogue which pops up when you right click on the drive and select Erase free space.
     
    PeteC,
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  8. 2007/07/31
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    Two ( 2 ) weeks and your last post ( and still not done ) to clean up a drive that could have been done in and hour or less disagress with that.

    And I feel that the more you mess with it now it will only get worse.

    BillyBob
     
    BillyBob,
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  9. 2007/07/31
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    You obviously have a point, BB, but maybe Panda does not have the installation disks for the programs which are to remain on the computer.
     
    PeteC,
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  10. 2007/07/31
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    You also have a point PeteC for certain conditions.

    But I am basing my thoughts on the original post
    BillyBob
     
    Last edited: 2007/07/31
    BillyBob,
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  11. 2007/07/31
    Panda Lifetime Subscription

    Panda Inactive Thread Starter

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    BB...you are such a thorough man! :D I really appreciate all the help from you and this board. I do have the start up discs. I guess I was just being lazy and didn't want to mess with the format. I'm sorry if I took up too much of your time with this, but I do appreciate ALL the help! I'm going to let it stand as is and with my next computer I'll probably do the format. HONEST!

    Over and out....

    :)
     
    Panda,
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  12. 2007/07/31
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    Thank you for reply.
    Also I was using my own personall experience in this type of case.

    And you should not be sorry because you used the BBS for what it meant.

    And that is HELP and/or ideas.

    BillyBob
     
    BillyBob,
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  13. 2007/07/31
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    I believe the answer was NO !!
    This is another thing I was thinking about but forgot to mention in my other post. FORMAT and they are GONE.

    BillyBob
     
    BillyBob,
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  14. 2007/07/31
    Panda Lifetime Subscription

    Panda Inactive Thread Starter

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    :D I think I got the message now. LOL.

    Love this board! I learn so much every time I come here.

    :)
     
    Panda,
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  15. 2007/08/01
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Maybe this has already been said and I missed that post but a format does not do very much. A "quick format" erases/rebuilds the Master File Table and a "full format" also reads all the sectors to verify that the HDD is healthy. After a format, with the proper tools, the data can be recovered and the OS made operable.

    One step further is to delete all partitions and create a number of new ones. Next, delete them all and create a single one of it all. This will rewrite the Master Boot Record a number of times which makes it more difficult to recover any data. If the data is sensitive, after formating the new partition, you should wipe it prior to reusing the HDD.

    Wiping free space by owerwriting a number of times should be enough but ... :confused: ... should the HDD be defragged before or after wiping it? Defragging on a regular basis should be equivalent to wiping (overwriting a number of times) but a single defragging would only be equivalent to a single pass overwrite. I would defrag after wiping!

    If the data is critical, skip all the steps above and melt it down.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  16. 2007/08/01
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    Thank you Christer for jumping in here.

    I have read the above somewhere else also. But I believe it takes special software/equipment that the average Jane/John Doe does not have.

    Also I have a question or two.

    Do Programs such as Erase get everything including stuff in the Registry ?

    I ask because I have used uninstalls and by using RegSeeker STILL FOUND reminents in the Registry .

    Panda

    I like this board too.

    Coffee pot is calling
    BillyBob
     
    BillyBob,
    #35
  17. 2007/08/01
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Hi BilliBob!

    Having close to 100% faith in Ghost, a year or two back, I did an experiment on a secondary computer, running Win98SE. I created a backup, Disk-to-Image, with the target on a second HDD. When the Image had passed the integrity check I started the experiment:

    Using the Win98SE startup disk, I formated the system and data partitions. I ran a utility, available as freeware on the internet. A few minutes later, the computer was up and running again. I didn't check every aspect of the system and data but it seemed to be OK.

    Next, I restored the Image and restarted the computer to verify the success. In went the Win98SE startup disk and I deleted all partitions. Now, the utility was not able to restore the HDD to its former glory.

    No, the registry itself consists of several files. Entries in the registry, associated with any sensitive file do not get wiped. only the sectors on the HDD previously occupied by the sensitive file itself do get wiped.

    This is an interesting aspect. Where do saved passwords, bank account numbers, credit card numbers and so on get stored? My guess is in the registry. If these are deleted in "Tools > Internet options > ... ", then the respective registry entries should be updated. If the deleted information is recoverable by any tool ... :confused: ... I don't know.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  18. 2007/08/01
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    Thanks again Christer

    I can now show this post to a Family member that has been telling me that I am Nutter than the proverbial Christmas Fruit Cake.

    BillyBob
     
    BillyBob,
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  19. 2007/08/01
    Panda Lifetime Subscription

    Panda Inactive Thread Starter

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    Interesting reading. I'm glad I came back here. I forgot to scan and frag the baby! I'm still wondering if I should try the Eraser again on the HD. Passwords and stuff sitting in the registry? Yikes! Yup. Gonna frag the baby tomorrow!!!!

    :)
     
    Panda,
    #38
  20. 2007/08/02
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    One more time.

    Based on the original post and, my own experience and why the PC is being worked on. Which believe is TO SELL the unit ?

    STOP WASTING time and FORMAT THAT HD.

    Because ERASE does not/may not get EVERYTHING.

    Gotta take the Wife to the Doctor

    Over & Out
    Bye.
    BillyBob

    PS
    Added thought.
    When we sell a car to someone else we DO OUR best MAKE SURE it is clean.
    Now I ask ?
    WHy not do the same with a PC which may well contain VALUABE/Personal information ?

    Bb
     
    Last edited: 2007/08/02
    BillyBob,
    #39
  21. 2007/08/03
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    I was just getting bored and checking over post this again and just realized that something was missing. I thought about it when thinking about/seeing that others may be able to use the proper software and read the HD

    And very surprised that it was not mentioned.

    A VERY efffective way to be sure that any personal stuff does not get passed on is to replace the HD with a new one.
    Yes. It may be a bit more costly $ wise but FAR less costly than if personal data was to be recovered.

    From a bored and need something to do.
    BillyBob
     
    Last edited: 2007/08/03
    BillyBob,
    #40
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