Wiping PC hardrive - Page 2

lovema75 · 22nd July 2013, 15:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriumphStag

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....

Well I didn't want my cover blown but since you've rumbled my job with the CIA...

Jakg · 22nd July 2013, 17:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim_Burgess

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.

A defrag really won't help - when you install Windows, after formatting the partition everything will install contiguously so a defrag won't really do anything (and a defrag only moves space "in use" - when you delete a file you really just delete the reference to it, it's still there).

If you want to wipe a drive (and do it properly!) why not use the proper software?

Godfer · 22nd July 2013, 17:32

http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2013/07/wha...deleted-files/

May be of interest?

humphshumphs · 22nd July 2013, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakg

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!!

Only if you have booted using the drive, if it's a secondary drive, the you can do a complete wipe!

Vinylwasp · 22nd July 2013, 19:08

Ditto that and I work in IT Security, but if the OP wants to do it without creating a bootable USB drive, etc, he might find some guidance here: http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/fiv...erasing-tools/

lovema75 · 22nd July 2013, 19:44

I opened it and took it out... Job done. Now where is my hammer?

WillyHeckaslike · 25th July 2013, 03:19

Darik's Boot and Nuke (DBAN) is free and does a good job, takes time but wipes everything...used it myself to good effect.

lovema75 · 25th July 2013, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillyHeckaslike

Darik's Boot and Nuke (DBAN) is free and does a good job, takes time but wipes everything...used it myself to good effect.

(Hammer) Bash bash bash bash...

Woof25 · 25th July 2013, 12:13

DBAN does an excellent job and leaves a clean drive for whatever OS your friend wishes to install and any bugs viruses malware will be ancient history, it takes a while dependent on size of drive, but well worth it if you have sensitive information stored on it

Mike

22nd July 2013, 17:32	#13
Godfer Posted a thing or two Seafrost 75 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Liverpool Posts: 1,821 Thanks: 232 Thanked 142 Times in 113 Posts	http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2013/07/wha...deleted-files/ May be of interest? __________________ Godfer (Sid) A lovely Seafrost 1.8T

22nd July 2013, 19:08	#15
Vinylwasp Regular poster MKII ZT-T 190+ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Newbury Posts: 84 Thanks: 33 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Ditto that and I work in IT Security, but if the OP wants to do it without creating a bootable USB drive, etc, he might find some guidance here: http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/fiv...erasing-tools/

22nd July 2013, 19:44	#16
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	I opened it and took it out... Job done. Now where is my hammer?

25th July 2013, 03:19	#17
WillyHeckaslike This is my second home Rovers 75 & 25 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wearside Posts: 4,522 Thanks: 543 Thanked 709 Times in 511 Posts	Darik's Boot and Nuke (DBAN) is free and does a good job, takes time but wipes everything...used it myself to good effect.

25th July 2013, 12:13	#19
Woof25 Passed Away Rover 75 Saloon CDti Se A Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North London Posts: 2,500 Thanks: 5 Thanked 401 Times in 287 Posts	DBAN does an excellent job and leaves a clean drive for whatever OS your friend wishes to install and any bugs viruses malware will be ancient history, it takes a while dependent on size of drive, but well worth it if you have sensitive information stored on it Mike