Wiping PC hardrive

lovema75 · 22nd July 2013, 07:21

I am giving my old PC to a friend.

Other than removing the hardrive and smashing it, is the a sure fire way to ensure it can be cleared in such a way that nothing can be recovered from it?

humphshumphs · 22nd July 2013, 07:36

Download a product called CCleaner [free version - or you can buy it if you so wish] (from piriform.com) they have a drive wiper (in the tools section) that can clear all data etc off the drive.

Depending on which version you use (and the size of the drive) it can take a few hours.

Tatts · 22nd July 2013, 07:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovema75

I am giving my old PC to a friend.

Other than removing the hardrive and smashing it, is the a sure fire way to ensure it can be cleared in such a way that nothing can be recovered from it?

There is various software available that will totally clear the HDD, but it's not free, and if you're thinking of totally clearing the drive, it will take a while to do!

If your friend isn't very PC savvy, you could format the drive. Although the data would still be 'there', he'd need some software to recover it.

Grumpy1 · 22nd July 2013, 10:33

Now what on earth would you have on your hard drive that you wouldn't want anybody else to know about David?

Chad.

TriumphStag · 22nd July 2013, 10:42

Dariks Boot and Nuke, military grade wiping software and it is free. Use it all the time in my job. Create a cd of the software and boot the machine from it. It will then completely wipe the disk including the operating system that would then need to be reinstalled for your friend.

lovema75 · 22nd July 2013, 12:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy1

Now what on earth would you have on your hard drive that you wouldn't want anybody else to know about David?

Chad.

Confidential letters, work documents, bank details... Perhaps not the kind of content you may be imagining.

Jakg · 22nd July 2013, 12:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by humphshumphs

Download a product called CCleaner [free version - or you can buy it if you so wish] (from piriform.com) they have a drive wiper (in the tools section) that can clear all data etc off the drive.

Depending on which version you use (and the size of the drive) it can take a few hours.

Ccleaner will only wipe free space - space in use won't be wiped and it's still possible to recover data even once overwritten (once). Plus, Windows keeps passwords etc in lots of places and you really wouldn't want your friend finding them!

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriumphStag

Dariks Boot and Nuke, military grade wiping software and it is free. Use it all the time in my job. Create a cd of the software and boot the machine from it. It will then completely wipe the disk including the operating system that would then need to be reinstalled for your friend.

DBAN would be (and is) the only tool I use for this sort of job - unless time is important in which case get a hammer!

Tim_Burgess · 22nd July 2013, 13:12

If you still have your original Windows CD and product code why not just re-install it. The hard disk is formatted as part of the process. Then defrag the drive a couple of times to make sure.

TriumphStag · 22nd July 2013, 14:30

defrag will do virtually nothing after a format and a format will not actually delete the underlying data (believe it or not)
To be honest though a reformat and reinstall is probably enough unless your friend works for the CIA and you have something to hide....

guru · 22nd July 2013, 15:12

Agreed, reinstalling and formatting leaves your data very vulnerable, root and boot is the only real way to go, just allow a VERY long time depending on the site of your disk.

As part of an investigation many years ago I had to recover data off of a reinstalled PC, it was very easy to do and even I was shocked by how much of the data I was able to get back.

22nd July 2013, 07:21	#1
lovema75 This is my second home 75 Tourer CDT Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Enfield Posts: 3,925 Thanks: 63 Thanked 431 Times in 237 Posts	Wiping PC hardrive I am giving my old PC to a friend. Other than removing the hardrive and smashing it, is the a sure fire way to ensure it can be cleared in such a way that nothing can be recovered from it?

22nd July 2013, 07:36	#2
humphshumphs I really should get out more....... No longer a Rover Owner Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: As far east as you can go in the UK and not get wet feet. Posts: 2,273 Thanks: 404 Thanked 309 Times in 246 Posts	Download a product called CCleaner [free version - or you can buy it if you so wish] (from piriform.com) they have a drive wiper (in the tools section) that can clear all data etc off the drive. Depending on which version you use (and the size of the drive) it can take a few hours. __________________ Richard. No longer a 75 owner as my tourer made it to the moon, and died on it's way back. But 1/4 million miles ain't bad. Last edited by humphshumphs; 22nd July 2013 at 07:38.. Reason: forgot to put some info.

22nd July 2013, 10:33	#4
Grumpy1 I really should get out more....... Rover 75 2.5 2001 Royal Blue Connoissuer Auto Saloon Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sutton-in-Ashfield Posts: 2,466 Thanks: 447 Thanked 254 Times in 202 Posts	Now what on earth would you have on your hard drive that you wouldn't want anybody else to know about David? Chad. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] *Oh no! Not DRLs! Yes, I can* open the bonnet.**

22nd July 2013, 13:12	#8
Tim_Burgess This is my second home 1999 75 Connoisseur SE 2.5, 2000 75 Classic SE 2.0, 2012 Lancia Delta 3, 2016 Dacia Sandero Ambiance Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kilcreggan Posts: 3,191 Thanks: 334 Thanked 334 Times in 162 Posts	If you still have your original Windows CD and product code why not just re-install it. The hard disk is formatted as part of the process. Then defrag the drive a couple of times to make sure. __________________ *The fact there's a highway to hell and only a stairway to heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers.. Last edited by Tim_Burgess; 22nd July 2013 at 13:15..*

22nd July 2013, 15:12	#10
guru Posted a thing or two MG ZT, Rover Sterling, MG ZS EV & BMW X5 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: The Norfolk Broads Posts: 1,491 Thanks: 20 Thanked 196 Times in 117 Posts	Agreed, reinstalling and formatting leaves your data very vulnerable, root and boot is the only real way to go, just allow a VERY long time depending on the site of your disk. As part of an investigation many years ago I had to recover data off of a reinstalled PC, it was very easy to do and even I was shocked by how much of the data I was able to get back. __________________ My car history http://m6jkk.com

22nd July 2013, 10:42	#5
TriumphStag Gets stuck in MK1 Connie SE 2.0CDTi Tourer Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Crawley Posts: 635 Thanks: 39 Thanked 79 Times in 52 Posts	Dariks Boot and Nuke, military grade wiping software and it is free. Use it all the time in my job. Create a cd of the software and boot the machine from it. It will then completely wipe the disk including the operating system that would then need to be reinstalled for your friend.

22nd July 2013, 14:30	#9
TriumphStag Gets stuck in MK1 Connie SE 2.0CDTi Tourer Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Crawley Posts: 635 Thanks: 39 Thanked 79 Times in 52 Posts	defrag will do virtually nothing after a format and a format will not actually delete the underlying data (believe it or not) To be honest though a reformat and reinstall is probably enough unless your friend works for the CIA and you have something to hide....