How to wipe clean all traces on PC?

R

Randy

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Hi all,

I'm in the process of changing my old pc for a new laptop, I want to give the pc to a friend of mine, but want to make sure all traces are removed first....does anyone know how to do this?

Thanks
 
When you say "all traces", do you want to leave the operating system in place, or completely delete any information from the hard drive?
 
Take out the hard drive and give it to him without one? It's the only truly safe way as far as I know.

I know macs have a 35 pass erase that writes zeroes (or something) onto a drive 35 times to erase virtually any trace of the previous information. I'm sure Windows has something similar, or at least there is some software to do it.

Check out http://download.cnet.com/windows/ and you'll probably find a free utility that will do it.
 
canicemcavoy said:
When you say "all traces", do you want to leave the operating system in place, or completely delete any information from the hard drive?
Click to expand...

Yes I want to retain the existing operating system and leave them with a useable pc, but need to make sure that any personal info/files etc are cleared
 
Randy said:
Yes I want to retain the existing operating system and leave them with a useable pc, but need to make sure that any personal info/files etc are cleared
Click to expand...

It would probably be better - presuming that you have the original OS installation CD - to make sure you've removed all files you want, then re-install the OS, formatting the hard disk in the process. There's really no certain way of removing all unwanted files; Windows has a horrible habit of burying personal data in various nooks and crannies.
 
If you have the original operating system disc, you could reinstall Windows which will wipe everything. Otherwise check to see if your PC has a hidden partition (Google search your model no.). If so, this usually contains an image of the PC as to when you first bought it. Selecting a destructive reinstall from this image should also format your hard drive, wiping everything...
 
Download CCleaner. It's got the 35 pass delete option and you can also use it to optimise your PC by removing unused programs, regristry settings, temp files etc...
 
I've wondered about this 35 pass thing. Is it regarded as any good, independently I mean? OK it sounds impressive but...
 
iqon77 said:
CCleaner is a trojan.
Click to expand...

Not as far as I'm aware. This story appears to have been a result of false positives generated by a single anti-virus app last year.

It's a good program if you are using the PC yourself. But it doesn't miraculous hunt out every personal file, so it's not a sure solution if you are passing the PC on.
 
runner said:
Ive used CCleaner for years without problems.
Click to expand...

+1. CCleaner is Gizmo's first choice in it's category - I've been reading this guy's reviews for years and never had any problems with any of his recommendations. I've also scanned CCleaner on my own PC with Avast, Malawarebytes and SuperAntispyware and there are no problems showing up.
 
The fact that he had to buy a new Hard Disk after running CCLeaner tells a lot. I hope you dont let him near your computer!
 
He most likely downloaded a dodgy copy from a Warez site or Torrent. CCleaner is excellent.
 
j26 said:
... I know macs have a 35 pass erase that writes zeroes (or something) onto a drive 35 times to erase virtually any trace of the previous information...
Click to expand...
Macs have 3 options in the OS for "removing" unwanted files :

  1. Empty Trash command (standard) simply removes the file's entry in the hard-disk index and the contents can be recovered fairly easily
  2. Semi-secure Empty Trash command (optional) does as 1 above and also writes random bits over the physical area the file occupied using 7 passes and flags the area as free, meaning it can be over-written immediately with another file. The contents of the original may still be recoverable, with some difficulty and with the use of software.
  3. Secure Empty Trash command (optional) does as 1 and 2 above and also writes random bits over the physical area the file occupied using an additional 28 passes and flags the area as free, meaning it can be over-written immediately with another file. The contents of the original are generally not recoverable without using special software.
Options 2 & 3 can take considerable time and system resources but may be useful for low-capacity removable storage e.g. USB pens, memory-cards, etc
 
mathepac said:
Macs have 3 options in the OS for "removing" unwanted files :

  1. Empty Trash command (standard) simply removes the file's entry in the hard-disk index and the contents can be recovered fairly easily
  2. Semi-secure Empty Trash command (optional) does as 1 above and also writes random bits over the physical area the file occupied using 7 passes and flags the area as free, meaning it can be over-written immediately with another file. The contents of the original may still be recoverable, with some difficulty and with the use of software.
  3. Secure Empty Trash command (optional) does as 1 and 2 above and also writes random bits over the physical area the file occupied using an additional 28 passes and flags the area as free, meaning it can be over-written immediately with another file. The contents of the original are generally not recoverable without using special software.
Options 2 & 3 can take considerable time and system resources but may be useful for low-capacity removable storage e.g. USB pens, memory-cards, etc
Click to expand...

I was talking about Erase in Disk Utility. If I was erasing data to pass on a computer, I'd erase the entire drive and reinstall the os (well actually I'd whip out the drive, but if I couldn't....).
 
Thanks for all the replies especially no's 8 to 15, they were especially helpful and completely answered the question I asked:rolleyes:
 
Maybe you can pay for a PC consultant the next time since you are so unsatisfied?

Unbelievable.
 
Caveat said:
Maybe you can pay for a PC consultant the next time since you are so unsatisfied?

Unbelievable.
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Sorry to have upset you Caveat.
However, I am sure you would agree that my point regarding answers 8-15 is correct as they have nothing to do with my original question.
Now let me know if I am wrong, but I believed that AAM was a forum for asking questions to which one doesn't know the answer to and that fellow contribtors would respond with the answer.

Unbelieveable indeed!
 
Randy said:
However, I am sure you would agree that my point regarding answers 8-15 is correct as they have nothing to do with my original question.
Click to expand...

No I wouldn't.

I would have thought that discussion on the effectiveness of CCleaner (which features a disk erasing facility) and how to avoid downloading a dodgy version of it amongst other things was entirely relevant.

There is no single magic answer to your question.
 
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