Cleansing an old computer
Discussion
Is there a simple was to to 'cleanse' (sorry, i'm not sure if there's a proper phrase for it!) my old computer.
i've transferred all the stuff off it to my newer computer, and i was wanting to erase all trace of anything i've done on the old one, apart from the programmes.
i'm looking at giving the computer away, so i wouldn't want anyone going in deep, and recovering my banking details and passwords etc. i'm lead to believe just deleting stuff isn't good enough, and that it could be still recovered.
can you write any replies in laymans terms (in large, clear crayon
), as i'm not that computer literate.
many thanks.
i've transferred all the stuff off it to my newer computer, and i was wanting to erase all trace of anything i've done on the old one, apart from the programmes.
i'm looking at giving the computer away, so i wouldn't want anyone going in deep, and recovering my banking details and passwords etc. i'm lead to believe just deleting stuff isn't good enough, and that it could be still recovered.
can you write any replies in laymans terms (in large, clear crayon
), as i'm not that computer literate. many thanks.
Edited by eccles on Saturday 7th April 20:57
Best best is to reinstall everything.
Work through the Windows XP setup (or 2K) and delelte the parition, create a new one and format it. This isn't "perfect" but it will defeat most attempts at recovery especially once you start filling the drive up with the software.
If you wanted to be slightly paranoid do the delete/format step and then reboot. Repeat up to a few times.
If you want to do DoD style wipe then break our the angle grinder and attack the platters, then put the resultant mess in a blast furnace and bury the slag at sea.
Work through the Windows XP setup (or 2K) and delelte the parition, create a new one and format it. This isn't "perfect" but it will defeat most attempts at recovery especially once you start filling the drive up with the software.
If you wanted to be slightly paranoid do the delete/format step and then reboot. Repeat up to a few times.
If you want to do DoD style wipe then break our the angle grinder and attack the platters, then put the resultant mess in a blast furnace and bury the slag at sea.
eccles said:
can you write any replies in laymans terms (in large, clear crayon
), as i'm not that computer literate.remove hard drive.
put hard drive on bench.
get 1/4inch drill bit.
attach to a drill.
drill through the hard drive where the platters are. couple of holes will suffice.
Job Done. Seriously, its the only way to be sure and replacement HDs are peanuts.
hmmm, ok. i thought there was a simple (ish) way of deleting stuff.
if i send everything to the recycle bin, and then empty it, will it then beyond getting to fairly easily?
i understand that stuff is still in there somewhere, and you can get it if you go in forensically, but by emptying the recycle bin, does it put stuff beyond the average persons reach?
if i send everything to the recycle bin, and then empty it, will it then beyond getting to fairly easily?
i understand that stuff is still in there somewhere, and you can get it if you go in forensically, but by emptying the recycle bin, does it put stuff beyond the average persons reach?
Format the disk.
It's not completely secure, in the sense that some people claim to be able to get data back from the disk. If you ask me it's gong to be hit and miss TBH, and you're going to need specialist equipment.
Don't go for the quick format though. Expect it to take a good hour or so.
To get it in perspective, just think about the places you leave your DNA, and that's always going to be more valuable. Every time you sneeze, and everytime you cut yourself.
It's not completely secure, in the sense that some people claim to be able to get data back from the disk. If you ask me it's gong to be hit and miss TBH, and you're going to need specialist equipment.
Don't go for the quick format though. Expect it to take a good hour or so.
To get it in perspective, just think about the places you leave your DNA, and that's always going to be more valuable. Every time you sneeze, and everytime you cut yourself.
Edited by dilbert on Saturday 7th April 22:49
Unless there was highly valuable top secret info on your drive, you dont need to get silly about destroying data. Format the drive, and reinstall windows. Insert a bootable copy of windows and it'll walk you through it. Recovering data that was deleted, and emptied from the recycle bin is relatively simple. Are you sure it's just bank details you're worried about people recovering?
if so, get a program like the aforementioned file shredder. It overwrites the drive with random data repeatedly, old files are as close to unrecoverable as possible, short of nuking it from orbit.
if so, get a program like the aforementioned file shredder. It overwrites the drive with random data repeatedly, old files are as close to unrecoverable as possible, short of nuking it from orbit. Edited by doc3 on Saturday 7th April 22:54
www.east-tec.com seems pretty good, but have to admit the physically damaging the hard drive is the best way, I used some recovery software on a formatted drive and got back some very interesting excel files, went over it with east tec on the really slow option and the files had vanished.
now do a secure erase on recyle bin files, takes a bit longer, but prefer stuff to stay deleted when I wipe it
now do a secure erase on recyle bin files, takes a bit longer, but prefer stuff to stay deleted when I wipe it
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