Hi everyone and thanks for your advice on my Windows problems. The only solution that seems likely to work for me is to junk the computer.
I'm Freecycling my computer's peripherals and would like to Freecycle the computer itself if I can be absolutely sure all the data will be off it when I let it go. I'm rigorous about client confidentiality.
The person who wants it has a small computer business and says he thinks he can get my computer started again - if he can, he's got a disk that will wipe the data off. The erasure would have to be done in my presence, obviously.
What checks do I need to make to be absolutely sure all trace of confidential data has gone from the chips before I allow the computer to go, please?
Thanks again, Linda.
I'm not entirely sure about software that can format a hard drive. The best thing to do is format it like I mentioned before. That way, if it reboots afterwards and tells you to insert a disc or press any key to continue, you could be pretty sure its all gone. OR.  A slightly more technical way is to take the hard drive, have a look at the pins at the top, near the plugs and IDE cable. These pins have a certain arrangement, with a small (really tiny) plastic sleeve that fits over one or two pins at a time that gives you different functions of the hard drive. If it is set as a primary master, it will be the hard drive the system boots off of, but you can set it to a slave (most hard drives have the settings mapped out in an image on it somewhere), plug it into another computer, and hey presto you will have another hard drive connected to a computer that you can navigate and delete files as your heart desires. IMHO the second option seems to be the best, or both. PC's can be finicky at the worst times, but those are the best ways to do it without relying on software (which I don't really trust either). Thanks, Dreamraven
Admittedly good to freecycle, but I had such great visions of you taking Steve's suggestion up from the other thread. “.....Ref getting your old info off, me personally, I take them out and whack them to death with a hammer. Not scientific, but great for relieving stress  ”
... but I am so lazy, mrb!!!!  Linda CareersPartnershipUK
Personally, if you are genuinely worried about client info, then the only way to be 100% sure is to take the hard drive out and sell/give the pc away without a hard drive. As they cost tuppence hapenny these days, it's not a major concern. As Sam says, you could slave it off anther pc and delete files that way, or you could just keep the hard drive yourself, use it as a paper weight, and be rest assured your PC will be data free when you give it to someone else
Hi Steve In the end, that's what I did. The person who picked up the other parts of the computer for re-building suggested I use the old hard drives as an external drive for my laptop. An "IDE Hardrive External Caddy/ Enclosure " would only cost around Linda CareersPartnershipUK
If the person with the computer business uses software to wipe your hard drive ..Just ask if he uses the "forensic military Grade utility". This is a software that will definitely remove any data and will revert the drive to its original new state however using the forensic wipe can take several hours depending on the hard drive size. For most people a simple format is good enough but if you do have any sensitive data then the forensic wipe is the answer. Regards Simon Direct Digital Resources
Thanks Simon, that's very helpful to know. Is the "forensic military grade utility" process a mandatory one for any organisation holding sensitive information on individuals on its computers (eg accountancy firms, the NHS, Dept of Work & Pensions, etc)? I hope it is. Best wishes, Linda Linda CareersPartnershipUK
Love the avatar Simon “..Just ask if he uses the "forensic military Grade utility".” This is the Stevie Grade Disk Cleansing Utility...
“Love the avatar Simon This is the Stevie Grade Disk Cleansing Utility...” You can format the drive a number of times, 2-5 or better yet go with Steve's Grade Disk Disk Cleaning Ultility Accounting Help |
Recent Posts AI is the future of technology? 2 comments Best Platform for Azure Certified Professionals?  2005 - 2022 the rise and fall of mobile traffic - and why 4 comments Office security 1 comments Scheduling meetings - Acuity nails it! Which Freelance Website is best for Pick the Project? 5 comments Wordpress alternative 6 comments  Email checker - see if your email has been compromised 14 comments Anyone used Wix? 24 comments Business Websites... 3 comments I Dont Need a Website...!  Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Anyone used EMERGE App? 1 comments  Krack Attacks - WiFi Issue - The realistic risk to you 7 comments  Opening Outlook attachments prompt for a password 4 comments |
