is there any program that i can use for free.
2006-12-02 08:47:12 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
i want to have my comp like i had it when i brought it it still has to have windows and work properly but without my files in the computer
2006-12-02 09:02:45 · update #1
also one more question if i wanted to remove my hard drive would windows still be working and about how much is a new hard drive
2006-12-02 09:05:59 · update #2
I am clinical psychiatrist and have extensive background in the the ingelligence service. Can assure you that all of the methods listed my other people will not prevent any expert with the proper tools to strip the data off your HDD.
There are only two 100% secure methods.
1) Remove the HDD, and sell the pc without the HDD. Let the new purchaser obtained a new HDD, for the pc. (You keep in a safe place. I place old HDD in my safe).
2) Take a hammer and beat the HDD to death. Then is you wish you can dump the HDD and no technology in the world can strip the data off the HDD.
Minddoctor, France
2006-12-02 09:00:46 · answer #1 · answered by MINDDOCTOR 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use the Files and settings transfer wizrd on XP. it is under the Accessories - System Tools part on the start menu.
Remeber once you have the data on CD/DVD to remove it from you old PC.
By the way the above just gets you a copy of te files if you want everything gone, then reinstall windows or format the drive. Even if you remove the programs it just leaves the regisrty flooded with garbage.
2006-12-02 08:51:38 · answer #2 · answered by reevesfarm 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you intead to sell the computer, you should completely wipe the drive. Simple deleting files or using system restore doesn't remove the data, and a good computer hacker and easily recover the data.
A great free program i've used is Darik's "Boot and Nuke", found at:
http://dban.sourceforge.net/ . It completely wipes the drive
Once you download the program you put it on a floppy and reboot the computer. you can also put a version on a cd-rom.
2006-12-02 08:54:10 · answer #3 · answered by Daren L 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to find a program that will scrub your hard drive.
Formatting does not erase the hard drive, I have successfully recovered many formatted drives, you have to have a program that will do a low level format. One that writes to every sector.
I simply destroy my hard drives.
Goto this link
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/geom/formatLow-c.html
This link says to use a zero-fill utility that writes zeros to every sector.
Hard drives are very cheap nowadays, and you can get monster sized drives for a good price.
Windows will not boot once you remove the drive, but you don't want that anyway, you want whoever takes it to have a clean install and a fresh drive. You just need the software to reinstall the OS.
2006-12-02 08:50:18 · answer #4 · answered by makman26 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been advised that the files will always be accessible unless:
1) you have a Mac
2) you physically destroy the hard drive
2006-12-02 08:51:35 · answer #5 · answered by Ed 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You reformat the entire hard drive
c:/reformat
But that would wipe out all applications you have installed as well.
They do make programs to help erase fiels, but I don't remember the names of them.
2006-12-02 08:49:44 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
System Recovery.
2006-12-02 08:55:39 · answer #7 · answered by Lil' Gay Monster 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You have to buy software for that... Norton Works is a good one. Elsewise I would just reformat and reload.
2006-12-02 08:55:46 · answer #8 · answered by Chic 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
1. you go on your computer and go to my documents
2. clik on file up top
3. select delete all files
4. it will work on my compuuter
depending on your computer mine is a dell!
2006-12-02 08:50:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋