Erasing data from drive

I understand that by just deleting files the data is still on the hard drive and can still be recovered, How can that data be removed permanantly or is that just not possible?

 

File deletion

The standard deletion only deletes the address of the data from the directory, the file and the data still exist on the disc. At some point it may be overwritten with new data but some low level programs can still recover the original data. Here is one program that carries the deletion process further

http://www.paragon-gmbh.com/f_dw.htm

But short of physically sanding off the coating on the disc or removing it with acid, there is always the possibility of data remaining. For instance, some might remain in the area of the disc called the "swap file. "

A lot depends on how sure you need to be that the data is actually gone.

 

Generally the erasing programs are suspect at best and if you have any info on your drive that could cause you great harm, it's better to remove the HDD and beat it to bits and then burn it. HDD are cheaper than losing sleep.

 

Thanks for the suggestion of using Paragon, I downloaded the demo of it and ran the wipe free space option and blow me it removed the drive letter from the partition so windows could no longer see the drive I had to use partition magic to give it a letter again. If that had been my C: drive I think I might have been in big trouble.

 

10-4 to that!!!!!!!!!!

mike

 

Norton Utilities has a Wipe Free ( slack ) Space function.

At least it used to.

I still have 2001 ( version 4.5) and it works OK with Win98 SE.

BillyBob

 

Give this page a shot and look at the Utilities page. Maybe something there is to your fancy?

 

Give this page a shot

Bill,

"give this page a shot" contains and conceals the url you are directing a person to.

To me, this is a neat little method which I have seen from time to time as I've visited different pages or sites on the net.

Could you please explain how it's done??????

thank you

roy66

 

Bill, I have visited your suggested web page and found "Bc Wipe" it seems to do the job without any problems at all. Thanks for every one help.

 

roy66

When you get the reply page up, click on the "http://" button. A textbox will open and you type something like "give this a shot" and enter. Another box will open and you can paste a URL or type one and hit enter. It will magically appear in the message. huh?

Jim ....HTH

 

Defrag programs sometimes have the "wipe free space" option. That is what you need.

 

My Error

Hi,

I suggested Paragon's Disk Wiper as a typical application that did what you wanted but I had not used it myself.

SHAME ON ME!!!

I have used other Paragon's products and they have worked just fine. As it turns out, Disk Wiper does delete the drive letter. But like deleting a file, it only deletes the "address" but not the "house" at that address. The viability of XP was not at risk. The drive letter can be reapplied using right click "My Computer\ Management\Disk Management\Graphic of Partition\Change Drive Letter." The problem has been reported to Paragon's QA department for resoulution.

That said, all products have soft areas. I would still rate Paragon's disk tools as first rate.

Regards

 

like this eh! try here..thanks for the info


Now I'll check it out and see how it went.

Thank you
roy66

 

Hi Jim,
Unless you are doing anything overtly illegal with your computer which you are liable to be arrested for, you have nothing to worry about. Eraser technoligy which overwrites data should be sufficient as detailed data recovery by organisations like the FBI or CIA is a lengthy and expensive procedure and for merely spying upon citizens who are not suspected of serious crimes is a waste of time and money. As one contributer said - smash your HD into small pieces. If it's simply the case that techno paranoia or the propaganda put out by the irresponsible press has got to you try this website. I think you will find it useful - and quite possibly reassuring:
http://www.tolvanen.com/sami/.

 

Addendum to last message: I SHOULD have included this:
http://www.tolvanen.com/eraser/download.shtml


Good luck!

 

Most HDD makers have a utility on their site specifically for your drive, read/write test. this usually overwrites the WHOLE drive, with no regard to partitions.

Also try:

http://www.killdisk.com/ ITS FREE

 

Erasing Data on HD

Unless your doing very illegal activities or are some kind of spook, Norton System Works has a very good erase utility attached to it's Speed Disk application. It gives you the option to overwrite 'free space" (areas where file data resides after being deleted) in the manner that best serves your needs. You can opt for single pass, all zeros, ones and zeros or DOD approved multi pass data over writes. The more complex a "wipe free space" option you choose, the more time it takes. Anything more secure than this involves large hammers and assorted power tools.

 

I used BCWipe for years on my Win98 System but it didn't seem to work as well with my XP. In searching for a replacement I came upon a program called "Clean Disk Security" which I've been using for several weeks now.

I've found CDS to be quick and it doesn't seem to interfer with some of XP's features like some other disk wiping utilities can.

Before using CDS for the first time I did a search of my system and found over 6,000 files that were to varying degress recoverable. After running CDS I ran my recovery program (Restoration) again and found only a handfull of files, most of which were created by CDS during the disk cleaning operation.

A copy of CDS can be downloaded from: Clean Disk Security

NOTE: With the exception of "Clean File Slack Space" CDS is fully functional following download. The Clean File Slack Space is available once the registration fee has been paid.

HTH:

 

Hi Hotspur,
It's not that I am doing anything illegal on my computer or am likley to it's just that over the last few weeks I have been getting some uninvited **** emails and would like to make sure their gone.

 

I spoke too soon. Ran CDS this afternoon and did a "Clean Standard Free Space ". After doing so noted that Help and Support was no longer accessible.

So I would suggest that if anyone is going to use this, or similar types of programs, that you first download the Help Fix from Doug Knox located at: Doug's Windows Tips and Tricks. Once there click on Win Xp Fixes and scroll down to "Fix Windows Xp Help

I downloaded this file and made a shortcut to it so I can run it after doing a disk cleaning to recover the Help & Support feature.