How do I clean up my harddrive?

[Tarheel]

Are there downloadable things to help with this?

I've had some delicate information on there and would like to erase it away. I should probably go a step further than just hitting the delete key and empyting the recycle bin though, right?

 

[BO-DEN]

id also like to know how to do this

 

[breathinbleedout]

See when you delete information the traditional way, by doing "control alt delete" you are letting the computer know, its ok to re-write information over that sector in the hdd. So until that sector is rewriten, those delicate information stays present, just not visible. You need a third party software like
http://www.killdisk.com
When you delete information using this software, it not only delets the information, but also rewrites on the deleted sector with junk files, making the original files not recoverable by any data recovery softwares.

Lot of people forget to do this simple task before selling their old comuters, thats how a lot of sensitive data like creditcard numbers, and social security numbers end up in the wrong hand.

 

[Tarheel]

So, what you're saying is, if I've already done the traditional delete, my social security #, MP3s, cc info, saved emails, and such are still available on my HD?

 

[Tarheel]

I guess eventually, it will get rewritten over, it just depends on how many new files I save?

 

[Jay Sean Juggy D]

I jsut got a new 40gig hard drive and clean it up end up with 20gigs only wtf

 

[breathinbleedout]

Yes, if that sector of the hdd hasn't been refiled with other information, those delicate data will still be there. I can use a simple software like Norton Unerase wizard to get access to those files.

 

[breathinbleedout]

I jsut got a new 40gig hard drive and clean it up end up with 20gigs only wtf

The answers to your problems will be more adquately answered in forum of hdd creator, not in a bb'ing forum

 

[Jay Sean Juggy D]

The answers to your problems will be more adquately answered in forum of hdd creator, not in a bb'ing forum

is my brand new hard drive FUBAR ?

 

[breathinbleedout]

Whats Fubar?

 

[Tarheel]

Yes, if that sector of the hdd hasn't been refiled with other information, those delicate data will still be there. I can use a simple software like Norton Unerase wizard to get access to those files.

I know this sounds stupid, but are there ways to speed the filling of those sector with info? Are there ways to download lots of junk files, or go to webpages with lots of cookies or something? Download lots of random logos and pictures or full webpages?

 

[Jay Sean Juggy D]

Whats Fubar?

fucked up beyond all repair

 

[breathinbleedout]

Yes, you have to download a third party software like kill disk, when you delete files using that software, it deletes that file, and replaces that sector of hhd with junk files.

 

[breathinbleedout]

http://www.webattack.com/Freeware/security/fwerase.shtml

 

[Laser0001]

If enough money is spent everything on your hard drive can be recovered. Best bet is to buy another hard drive and destroy the one in question.

 

[Cut]

If enough money is spent everything on your hard drive can be recovered. Best bet is to buy another hard drive and destroy the one in question.

this is correct. nothing can completely erase the files on your hard drive - except a very poweful magnet (not recommended).

 

[breathinbleedout]

is my brand new hard drive FUBAR ?

Most new hdd have a 3 year warranty.

 

[Jay Sean Juggy D]

but why is it 20gig after i formated it , it says 40gig on box , its brand new

 

[breathinbleedout]

mabye its a recogonization problem with your windows software?

 

[Jay Sean Juggy D]

win xp pro , could be thanks for your help i am just goin to recycle the new hard drive and put the old 500mb back in

 

[breathinbleedout]

put your 500mb back in..lol how old is your motherboard? Because some of the older models can only recongnize up to 37.5 gig.

 

[Jay Sean Juggy D]

i am running a '95 286 IBM i soldered a pentium 4 processor on there which how i am able to run the win xp pro otherwise my shit would melt

 

[Tarheel]

If I reformat, is stuff still recoverable? I was under the impression that reformatting totally erased it but maybe it doesn't?

I was just going to put all the files I want to keep in a folder, upload them to some webspace, reformat, and then redownload my files. I wouldn't lose my good info that way, but I thought I'd have a clean HD.

 

[almost-pro]

no matter what you do, information CAN be recovered from your hard drive if someone wants it bad enough. If information is incriminating and you think you are being monitored, take your hard drive apart, take some plyeres, and bend everything you see. Then buy a new hard drive.

 

[Tarheel]

Well, I seriously dont think I am, but I am paranoid I guess. I guess I'll start shopping for new ones. It shouldn't cost much as I could use an upgrade anyway.

 

[Paulo]

They can also piece to get together bent or broken HD bits too.

Throw it in the fireplace.

Use Thermite.

dip it in Sulphuric acid.

One of these three is more than suitable BTW.