deleting files from a computer (I'm selling it)

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OnceBitten

535 posts

Ultimate Geek

#16605 18-Oct-2007 14:57

Hello

We have a new computer with Vista and Broadband internet and it is just great!

I friend of my wife wants to buy our old computer (windows XP) - just the tower part, as her PC no longer goes.

I want to make sure that I delete everything from the old computer (all the e-mails, internet login, favourites...etc...) before the friend buys it.
I can easily delete documents / photos / movies...etc... as they have all been transferred to the new computer

what other files do I need to delete / remove?? I want to make sure she doesn't have access to anything personal...etc... I believe there may be 'hidden files' that I need to delete??

any ideas / suggestions?

cheers

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240 posts

Master Geek

#91532 18-Oct-2007 15:07

If it were me, I would quick format the drive, and reinstall WindowsXP. Do the auto updates, and then pass on the PC. Never can be too sure when 'hidden files' are involved.

Here at work, we are a little bit more concerned about people getting a hold of privvy information, so we run a drive scrambler, which apparenlty writes random bits of information on the drive, theoretically destroying/reducing the chance someone could get the contents off. We do this to drives we throw in the bin.

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No1Daemon

172 posts

Master Geek

#91533 18-Oct-2007 15:07

Hi

Unless you have some software instlled like goback which tracks what you put on your computer I don't think you can just erase everything personal in one go. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

You may have to unhide your files and manually search for and delete all those hidden files.

Or format the hard drive and do a clean install.

Steve

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#91536 18-Oct-2007 15:44

Does the computer come with a recovery or factory restore CD/DVD? if so, just use that to restore/reimage your system and update with patches and off it goes, make sure you include the recovery disc with it for her to use in the future.

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stroke64

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Master Geek

#91545 18-Oct-2007 16:41

If you want to go crazy about erasing the disk properly, try DBAN. It is free. It will do a forensic (love that word) grade wipe of the disk:
http://dban.sourceforge.net/

It just burns to a CD or USB thumb which you boot off. A normal wipe takes about 30mins on a 40GB drive. A heavy duty wipe might take overnight.

Then, as the other's have said, re-install XP from the recovery/OEM/retail CD.

heavenlywild

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#95710 17-Nov-2007 19:17

Hey guys,

I tried the http://dban.sourceforge.net/ and it loads on start-up. However, my keyboard is not active and thus cannot choose the options once I am inside the menu. Help?

tonyhughes

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#95715 17-Nov-2007 20:17

Are you using a USB keyboard?

heavenlywild

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#95719 17-Nov-2007 20:29

Yes I am. Do I need to get one of those ancient parallel port ones?

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OnceBitten

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Ultimate Geek

#95722 17-Nov-2007 21:11

thanks for all your help - it's all been sorted now :-)

heavenlywild

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#95723 17-Nov-2007 21:26

I am struggling to find an old keyboard with parallel port. Darn...

heavenlywild

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#96854 25-Nov-2007 16:33

OK, right now the DBan programme is running and doing its thing. One question - how long does it take? I have a 320GB hard drive and it says there is still over 100 hours remaining! I certainlly hope that is not correct.

ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek

#96929 26-Nov-2007 10:48

The 100 hour estimate is likely to be correct. DBAN does a bit-by-bit wipe of the drive, and uses multiple passes to make sure that the disk is completely and irrecovably wiped, to a specific US DoD standard.

There is an option (I don't think it is the default one) that lets you do a 'quick' wipe, which is probably sufficient for 99% of cases. I seem to recall that took about 4 hours to do a 120GB disk on our cluster.

heavenlywild

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#96931 26-Nov-2007 11:05

Wow, 4 hours would definitely be a lot better! I feel like some FBI agent trying to get rid of confidential data. At the end of the day, I only want to wipe my hard drive as I don't have the recovery CDs.

In the menu there are only two options - "interactive mode" and "auto" mode. I choose auto by typing in "autonuke". How do I get around to the 4 hour option? Thanks.

paulchinnz

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#96935 26-Nov-2007 11:20

Might be a bit late now, but what about swapping out the hard-drive for a new one and adjusting the price of the box appropriately? Then you get to keep your old stuff in case you want it.

heavenlywild

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#96940 26-Nov-2007 12:00

Thanks for your reply. I have a notebook computer now so I don't need the hard drive in my desktop. Hmm, wish it would wipe the hard drive a lot quicker eh.

ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek

#97077 27-Nov-2007 08:47

heavenly_wild: How do I get around to the 4 hour option?

Try interactive mode, or have a good look at the documentation, which I assume must be online. I haven't used the software for a few months so I can't remember exactly, but it would make sense to try the other option if 'autonuke' doesn't let you choose a 'quick' erase... I'm certain the option is there somewhere.

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