User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 7:07:34 AM EDT
[#1]
A little google searching will fix you right up..
http://www.pcworld.com/article/254509/free_tools_to_wipe_your_drives_securely.html |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 7:09:02 AM EDT
[#2]
DBAN.
Download, burn ISO to CD, run, be done. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 7:09:38 AM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryQuoted: DBAN. Download, burn ISO to CD, run, be done. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 7:10:50 AM EDT
[#4]
Best thing is to buy a cheap hard drive and replace yours.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 7:11:03 AM EDT
[#5]
The lack of recovery disks are your main problem.
Most modern laptops have the recovery built directly into them. I would research that before you start wiping. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 7:12:07 AM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Best thing is to buy a cheap hard drive and replace yours. Not a bad option, but depending on how the recovery works, he may not be able to install the original OS without the original HD. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 8:35:31 AM EDT
[#7]
thanks guys... would like to be able to load everything back on it like it was new when done... I found a few programs that will write zeros over old data in the drives.... maybe this is the way and do a restore for the fresh software?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 8:36:52 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted: THIS Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: DBAN. Download, burn ISO to CD, run, be done. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 8:38:32 AM EDT
[#9]
As others have said DBAN
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 8:40:31 AM EDT
[#10]
I use CCleaner at work.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 8:46:14 AM EDT
[#11]
Eraser Portable (and Eraser Drop) is/are good for selective wipes, and they can be installed on a USB drive along with a shitload of other useful apps!
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 8:47:24 AM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
thanks guys... would like to be able to load everything back on it like it was new when done... I found a few programs that will write zeros over old data in the drives.... maybe this is the way and do a restore for the fresh software? Windows even has a utility built in to do a zero wipe. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 8:48:58 AM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
DBAN. Download, burn ISO to CD, run, be done. +1 or take it to the range |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 8:50:10 AM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
+1 or take it to the range Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
DBAN. Download, burn ISO to CD, run, be done. +1 or take it to the range That impacts the resale value. 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 8:53:37 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Windows even has a utility built in to do a zero wipe. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
thanks guys... would like to be able to load everything back on it like it was new when done... I found a few programs that will write zeros over old data in the drives.... maybe this is the way and do a restore for the fresh software? Windows even has a utility built in to do a zero wipe. where would one find this... tried searching with the search box, didn't come up on my laptop |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 8:54:32 AM EDT
[#16]
a ball peen hammer will DOD wipe it for you.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 8:55:23 AM EDT
[#17]
I don't know. I do all my masturbating at my desktop.
Oops, mis-read title 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 8:58:25 AM EDT
[#18]
speaker magnet.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 9:04:39 AM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
where would one find this... tried searching with the search box, didn't come up on my laptop Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
thanks guys... would like to be able to load everything back on it like it was new when done... I found a few programs that will write zeros over old data in the drives.... maybe this is the way and do a restore for the fresh software? Windows even has a utility built in to do a zero wipe. where would one find this... tried searching with the search box, didn't come up on my laptop It's a command line utility, MS article |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 9:05:21 AM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
a ball peen hammer will DOD wipe it for you. The DOD lets you smack a HDD with aluminum discs with a hammer and calls it "good" for data protection? That explains soooooooooo much! 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 9:07:54 AM EDT
[#21]
Restore to factory settings has worked for me.
Then you have to go through all the updates (or let the buyer do that). |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 9:08:22 AM EDT
[#22]
Download CCleaner. Wipe everything. Restore windows to default or reinstall (from start menu). Download Eraser - Secure Data Removal (v 5.8.8). Schedule and run eraser to erase all free space. Computer will be clean and ready for you to sell.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 9:09:15 AM EDT
[#23]
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 9:12:09 AM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Download CCleaner. Wipe everything. Restore windows to default or reinstall (from start menu). Download Eraser - Secure Data Removal (v 5.8.8). Schedule and run eraser to erase all free space. Computer will be clean and ready for you to sell. That sounds like a lot of effort, but at work if we repurpose a machine our protocol is to do the OS install twice, all in the name of data protection after using a tool like CCleaner. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 9:13:51 AM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The DOD lets you smack a HDD with aluminum discs with a hammer and calls it "good" for data protection? That explains soooooooooo much! Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
a ball peen hammer will DOD wipe it for you. The DOD lets you smack a HDD with aluminum discs with a hammer and calls it "good" for data protection? That explains soooooooooo much! I won't even take HDD as turn-ins, not for years. No wipe, no degauss, no overwrite, HDD disposition is on the unit...too much liability for unauth disclosure. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 9:20:18 AM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted: DBAN. Download, burn ISO to CD, run, be done. THIS |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 9:21:05 AM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
DBAN. Download, burn ISO to CD, run, be done. This. Do DOD wipe takes long time but 7 passes and your good. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 9:23:48 AM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
That sounds like a lot of effort, but at work if we repurpose a machine our protocol is to do the OS install twice, all in the name of data protection after using a tool like CCleaner. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Download CCleaner. Wipe everything. Restore windows to default or reinstall (from start menu). Download Eraser - Secure Data Removal (v 5.8.8). Schedule and run eraser to erase all free space. Computer will be clean and ready for you to sell. That sounds like a lot of effort, but at work if we repurpose a machine our protocol is to do the OS install twice, all in the name of data protection after using a tool like CCleaner. Seriously? Load the OS twice as a data protection scheme? 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 9:30:09 AM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Seriously? Load the OS twice as a data protection scheme? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Download CCleaner. Wipe everything. Restore windows to default or reinstall (from start menu). Download Eraser - Secure Data Removal (v 5.8.8). Schedule and run eraser to erase all free space. Computer will be clean and ready for you to sell. That sounds like a lot of effort, but at work if we repurpose a machine our protocol is to do the OS install twice, all in the name of data protection after using a tool like CCleaner. Seriously? Load the OS twice as a data protection scheme? While that part is dumb, did you miss the ccleaner bit? I prefer dban for this, but ccleaner will effectively erase a drive if accessed as a non boot drive |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 9:31:36 AM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Restore to factory settings has worked for me. Then you have to go through all the updates (or let the buyer do that). You have given people your data. Whether or not they attempted to recover it or if there was anything the mattered on the drive is a different story, but you did not erase all your data |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 9:32:00 AM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I don't know. I do all my masturbating at my desktop. Oops, mis-read title Lol. Mass ejection control, learn it OP.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 9:32:34 AM EDT
[#32]
Why sell the computer?
Run it into the ground, it doesn't take much. Hook it up to your tv and use it as a media computer Netflix box etc. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 9:34:25 AM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Best thing is to buy a cheap hard drive and replace yours. this is what I do....I never try to wipe a drive, because even if you replace it with all 0's, there is still data. But a new HD and let the owner set it up the way they want with the OS they want. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 9:35:53 AM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
That sounds like a lot of effort, but at work if we repurpose a machine our protocol is to do the OS install twice, all in the name of data protection after using a tool like CCleaner. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Download CCleaner. Wipe everything. Restore windows to default or reinstall (from start menu). Download Eraser - Secure Data Removal (v 5.8.8). Schedule and run eraser to erase all free space. Computer will be clean and ready for you to sell. That sounds like a lot of effort, but at work if we repurpose a machine our protocol is to do the OS install twice, all in the name of data protection after using a tool like CCleaner. Maybe, but if you want to sell a cleanly wiped computer you will have to overwrite the free space. Just using CCleaner or reinstalling windows does not remove deleted files in free space. Try it sometime... Reinstall or restore windows or use CCleaner, then download a program like Recova.... You'll see. To be forensically clean it is recommended to do a 7 pass overwrite. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 9:38:53 AM EDT
[#35]
Your Win7 recovery partition is on the same hard drive you are trying to wipe. Selling a laptop without Win7 on it will likely drastically reduce the value.
If you don't mind this then DBAN is fine. If you do, you can reinstall/restore from the restore partition, which will overwrite most of your current data. Then as mentioned, use CCleaner but make sure you select the correct setttings (wipe free space, wipe cluster tips, etc). It's reasonably safe. A key component is configuring CCleaner properly. A lot of folks run it as it comes, which doesnt do everything you'd need. Even DBAN won't overwrite bad sectors, which "could" contain sensitive data and "could" be read by someone with the knowledge and gear. If it were mine, I'd use Killdisk or DBAN, then load a free Linux OS on it before selling. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 9:40:42 AM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Maybe, but if you want to sell a cleanly wiped computer you will have to overwrite the free space. Just using CCleaner or reinstalling windows does not remove deleted files in free space. Try it sometime... Reinstall or restore windows or use CCleaner, then download a program like Recova.... You'll see. To be forensically clean it is recommended to do a 7 pass overwrite. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Download CCleaner. Wipe everything. Restore windows to default or reinstall (from start menu). Download Eraser - Secure Data Removal (v 5.8.8). Schedule and run eraser to erase all free space. Computer will be clean and ready for you to sell. That sounds like a lot of effort, but at work if we repurpose a machine our protocol is to do the OS install twice, all in the name of data protection after using a tool like CCleaner. Maybe, but if you want to sell a cleanly wiped computer you will have to overwrite the free space. Just using CCleaner or reinstalling windows does not remove deleted files in free space. Try it sometime... Reinstall or restore windows or use CCleaner, then download a program like Recova.... You'll see. To be forensically clean it is recommended to do a 7 pass overwrite. My laptop is incredibly personal... If I was to sell it, no matter who the buyer was, I would want all of my pictures, finance, and personal info to be removed. Not that I am paranoid, but that is just the way I would go about it. That's all. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 9:48:54 AM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
While that part is dumb, did you miss the ccleaner bit? I prefer dban for this, but ccleaner will effectively erase a drive if accessed as a non boot drive Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Download CCleaner. Wipe everything. Restore windows to default or reinstall (from start menu). Download Eraser - Secure Data Removal (v 5.8.8). Schedule and run eraser to erase all free space. Computer will be clean and ready for you to sell. That sounds like a lot of effort, but at work if we repurpose a machine our protocol is to do the OS install twice, all in the name of data protection after using a tool like CCleaner. Seriously? Load the OS twice as a data protection scheme? While that part is dumb, did you miss the ccleaner bit? I prefer dban for this, but ccleaner will effectively erase a drive if accessed as a non boot drive "I was just following orders" 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 9:50:22 AM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
You have given people your data. Whether or not they attempted to recover it or if there was anything the mattered on the drive is a different story, but you did not erase all your data Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Restore to factory settings has worked for me. Then you have to go through all the updates (or let the buyer do that). You have given people your data. Whether or not they attempted to recover it or if there was anything the mattered on the drive is a different story, but you did not erase all your data I have wondered about that but not worried about it. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 9:56:49 AM EDT
[#39]
Nuke the hard drive with DBAN. Let the buyer worry about installing an OS. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 10:00:38 AM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Nuke the hard drive with DBAN. Let the buyer worry about installing an OS. While that can be "no big deal" it can also be a "deal breaker". Depends on the terms of the sale. YMMV. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 10:01:22 AM EDT
[#41]
Drives are cheap, buy a new one and destroy the old one if you had important data on it.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 10:13:18 AM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
While that can be "no big deal" it can also be a "deal breaker". Depends on the terms of the sale. YMMV. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Nuke the hard drive with DBAN. Let the buyer worry about installing an OS. While that can be "no big deal" it can also be a "deal breaker". Depends on the terms of the sale. YMMV. This is true...for sure, let the potential buyer know beforehand. Personally, if I was to buy a used laptop the very first thing I would do is nuke it again, then do my own OS installation. But then, I'm a suspicious old fart 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 10:19:34 AM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
This is true...for sure, let the potential buyer know beforehand. Personally, if I was to buy a used laptop the very first thing I would do is nuke it again, then do my own OS installation. But then, I'm a suspicious old fart
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Nuke the hard drive with DBAN. Let the buyer worry about installing an OS. While that can be "no big deal" it can also be a "deal breaker". Depends on the terms of the sale. YMMV. This is true...for sure, let the potential buyer know beforehand. Personally, if I was to buy a used laptop the very first thing I would do is nuke it again, then do my own OS installation. But then, I'm a suspicious old fart
Do you expect the court to believe that ATF Agent Jones sold you a laptop with DIAS drawings AND kiddie porn!?!? 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 10:29:21 AM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted: DBAN. Download, burn ISO to CD, run, be done. Nobody is going to look for something who (a) knows how (b) wants to. The people that are both a and b, already could get access to that data if they wanted.
Just format and reinstall the OS so the person doesn't have to and they'll never look for old data. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 12:00:27 PM EDT
[#45]
Go to the recovery partition/program and burn the DVD/CDs before you DBAN.
DoD Short wipe is good enough. Afterwards just re-install the OS from the recovery DVD/CD |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 12:44:03 PM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Waste of time. Nobody is going to look for something who (a) knows how (b) wants to. The people that are both a and b, already could get access to that data if they wanted. Just format and reinstall the OS so the person doesn't have to and they'll never look for old data. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
DBAN. Download, burn ISO to CD, run, be done. Nobody is going to look for something who (a) knows how (b) wants to. The people that are both a and b, already could get access to that data if they wanted. Just format and reinstall the OS so the person doesn't have to and they'll never look for old data. It's free piece of mind and starting the DBAN run takes less than a minute. If someone falls into A and B and you have actually wiped the drive there's not much a person can practically do to recover the data. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/26/2013 5:52:30 PM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Maybe, but if you want to sell a cleanly wiped computer you will have to overwrite the free space. Just using CCleaner or reinstalling windows does not remove deleted files in free space. Try it sometime... Reinstall or restore windows or use CCleaner, then download a program like Recova.... You'll see. To be forensically clean it is recommended to do a 7 pass overwrite. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Download CCleaner. Wipe everything. Restore windows to default or reinstall (from start menu). Download Eraser - Secure Data Removal (v 5.8.8). Schedule and run eraser to erase all free space. Computer will be clean and ready for you to sell. That sounds like a lot of effort, but at work if we repurpose a machine our protocol is to do the OS install twice, all in the name of data protection after using a tool like CCleaner. Maybe, but if you want to sell a cleanly wiped computer you will have to overwrite the free space. Just using CCleaner or reinstalling windows does not remove deleted files in free space. Try it sometime... Reinstall or restore windows or use CCleaner, then download a program like Recova.... You'll see. To be forensically clean it is recommended to do a 7 pass overwrite. I downloaded CCleaner while at the school library and am playing around with it at home. Using the Drive Wiper tool, I can overwrite the free space up to 35 times. 
|
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
