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Resolved How to actually delete files

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by johnsdp, 2011/02/03.

  1. 2011/02/03
    johnsdp

    johnsdp Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Okay most of us have accidentally deleted a picture or two from an SD card or hard drive and used recovery software to restore them.
    This is possible as PeteC explained in another thread:
    When a file is deleted from a drive, be it a hard drive or a flash card all references to the file in question are deleted from the file system - this to my mind would include all date info. The file, as we know, remains on the drive, but the space is flagged as free by the file system and in due course the deleted file is overwritten.

    Without saving a ton of data to hopefully overwrite what I want gone, really gone, how do I make sure something is unrecoverable?

    Thanks,
    Dan

    PS: It is not a word doc on how I plan to ax murder my neighbor!
     
    johnsdp,
    #1
  2. 2011/02/04
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Hi Dan. If you really want to make sure that the data you want to delete from your computer is not recoverable you can try downloading this program called Eraser.

    It will allow you to securely remove data that you don't want anymore. If you are still concerned that the data you will remove using Eraser is still recoverable, then you can run a recovery program and see if it finds the data that you erased.
     
    Evan Omo,
    #2


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  4. 2011/02/04
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    I would second Evan's suggestion - I have used Eraser for several years - a very flexible program which will overwrite to various standards including US Gov and DD.
     
    PeteC,
    #3
  5. 2011/02/04
    johnsdp

    johnsdp Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Thanks Evan and Pete (hope you don't mind the quote).
    I'll try eraser.
    Dan
     
    johnsdp,
    #4
  6. 2011/02/05
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    You're welcome :)

    Please mark this thread as 'Resolved', see .....
     
    PeteC,
    #5
  7. 2011/02/05
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Your Welcome. Glad I could help. :)
     
    Evan Omo,
    #6

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