how do i make sure there is no unwanted pictures on a second hand pc?

Answer 1

Click on "search" and type: *.jpg
and then, also, just to be safe: *.jpeg
(typing asterisk-dot-extension will find all the files with that extension)
This will find all the jpgs on the disk, wherever the're hidden.

If it's unwanted porno stuff you're worried about, they're certainly jpgs or jpegs (with very rare exceptions), because this is the standard format for pictures on the internet.
Simple, isn't it?

Answer 2

The only real safe way to remove data from a PC is to wipe the hard drive. Simply deleting files or reformatting the hard drive will keep amateurs out, but anyone with a little computer skills can recover the files.

Reformatting the hard drive only erases the file directory structure. All of the files remain in the hard drive.

Deleting a file only removes the file name from the directory structure. The file remains on the hard drive.

Anyone familiar with a disk editing program can recover the file.

Wiping a hard drive writes random characters to all areas of the hard drive. No data is recoverable.

I use a program called Darik's Boot and Nuke (DBAN)

I usually use the DoD wipe with 3 passes. It is not likely anyone could recover anything after the hard drive is wiped this way.

Make sure anything you want to save is copied to a location off of the computer as everything is un-recoverable. Kind of the point of a program like this.

Windows or some other operating system will need to be installed to use the computer again.

Follow the link below to download the program.

Answer 3

the logical answer would be "format" it but even after a standard format data can be recovered by any half decent recovery software
this is a time when you pay for what you get,and paying upwards of £50 would be a wise investment,so look around for some good third party formating software
these programs format deep into the drive,making data impossible to retrieve,one program called "paragon disk wiper" is a excellent erasing tool,its used by banks and the m.o.d were data needs to be unretrievable,you can download this and many other good software for formatting and erasing from http://www.disk-wiper.com/
once you have cleaned the disc as much as you can in windows,then i would recommend 2 formats within dos just to be sure
good luck

Answer 4

Define unwanted!

Any way... if you have a CD of OS, the best bet would be to format the pc and start afresh.

Answer 5

This free HD erasing program will do a very good job of cleaning the HD. The only sure way to be positive you have no unwanted data to that HD is to replace it with a new one, then, melt it.

http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/

Answer 6

http://www.sys-shield.com - AbsoluteShield File Shredder

You can use File Shredder to make a boot floppy that will wipe everything off the hard drive, then overwrite it 35 times so it can't be recovered. Use with care!
You can also use it to delete specific files while you're using your pc.
And its free!

Answer 7

Have a look in my pictures folder,if you dont like then delete and empty recycle bin

Answer 8

Format it, or search for all pictures and delete anyones that you don't want.

Answer 9

check to see if you have microsoft picture manager software on your computer. it can find every picture on your computer.

Answer 10

you need to clean the hard drive if you cant get someone else to do it