Re: OT: Computer Question


	/-/S'pht-Translator-Active/-/

Re: OT: Computer Question

Posted By: Steve Levinson Date: 9/11/04 5:23 p.m.
In Response To: Re: OT: Computer Question (Cheerful)

: I was thinking I would just give them a bootable drive, in which case I would
: use the installation disks that came with my computer? If I did this,
: would the data be unrecoverable? Its probably not that big of a deal, but
: I tend to be a bit paranoid when it comes to social security numbers and
: stuff.
That's a very good question and I'm not 100% sure. I know that a standard install will leave your existing data all over the hard drive and that even you with the right software could recover some of it. There may be an option during the installation process to do a secure erase - to completely overwrite the drive with zeros. If so, that shoule be sufficient. If not, once the hard drive has been reformatted and the OS installed, you should overwrite all free space on the hard drive to be sure that nothing is left. There are many free and shareware utilities to do this. I'm not sure I trust anything I've seen that's free. One of the least expensive shareware utilities is Freerasor by SubRosa Software - for $13, you can't go wrong.

[ Post a Reply | Message Index | Read Prev Msg | Read Next Msg ]
Pre-2004 Posts

Replies:

OT: Computer Question Cheerful 8/31/04 7:53 a.m.

Re: OT: Computer Question Steve Levinson 8/31/04 10:08 a.m.

Re: OT: Computer Question Cheerful 9/11/04 12:01 p.m.

Re: OT: Computer Question Steve Levinson 9/11/04 1:38 p.m.

Re: OT: Computer Question Cheerful 9/11/04 3:13 p.m.

Re: OT: Computer Question Steve Levinson 9/11/04 5:23 p.m.

Re: OT: Computer Question a disreputable source 9/12/04 11:58 a.m.

Re: OT: Computer Question Cheerful 9/12/04 9:29 p.m.

Re: OT: Computer Question Cheerful 9/13/04 12:17 a.m.

Re: OT: Computer Question Cheerful 9/13/04 8:11 a.m.

Re: OT: Computer Question Forrest of B.org 9/13/04 8:24 a.m.

Re: OT: Computer Question Cheerful 9/13/04 9:23 a.m.

Re: OT: Computer Question Adam Ashwell 9/13/04 9:40 a.m.

Re: OT: Computer Question Forrest of B.org 9/13/04 9:46 a.m.

[ Post a Reply | Message Index | Read Prev Msg | Read Next Msg ]
Pre-2004 Posts

Your Name:
Your E-Mail Address:
Subject:
Message:
: That's a very good question and I'm not 100% sure. I know that a standard : install will leave your existing data all over the hard drive and that : even you with the right software could recover some of it. There may be an : option during the installation process to do a secure erase - to : completely overwrite the drive with zeros. If so, that shoule be : sufficient. If not, once the hard drive has been reformatted and the OS : installed, you should overwrite all free space on the hard drive to be : sure that nothing is left. There are many free and shareware utilities to : do this. I'm not sure I trust anything I've seen that's free. One of the : least expensive shareware utilities is Freerasor by SubRosa Software - : for $13, you can't go wrong.

If you'd like to include a link to another page with your message,
please provide both the URL address and the title of the page:
Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:

If necessary, enter your password below:
Password:

Problems? Suggestions? Comments? Email maintainer@bungie.org
Marathon's Story Forum is maintained with WebBBS 5.12.

OT: Computer Question	Cheerful	8/31/04 7:53 a.m.
Re: OT: Computer Question	Steve Levinson	8/31/04 10:08 a.m.
Re: OT: Computer Question	Cheerful	9/11/04 12:01 p.m.
Re: OT: Computer Question	Steve Levinson	9/11/04 1:38 p.m.
Re: OT: Computer Question	Cheerful	9/11/04 3:13 p.m.
Re: OT: Computer Question	Steve Levinson	9/11/04 5:23 p.m.
Re: OT: Computer Question	a disreputable source	9/12/04 11:58 a.m.
Re: OT: Computer Question	Cheerful	9/12/04 9:29 p.m.
Re: OT: Computer Question	Cheerful	9/13/04 12:17 a.m.
Re: OT: Computer Question	Cheerful	9/13/04 8:11 a.m.
Re: OT: Computer Question	Forrest of B.org	9/13/04 8:24 a.m.
Re: OT: Computer Question	Cheerful	9/13/04 9:23 a.m.
Re: OT: Computer Question	Adam Ashwell	9/13/04 9:40 a.m.
Re: OT: Computer Question	Forrest of B.org	9/13/04 9:46 a.m.



	Your Name:
	Your E-Mail Address:
	Subject:
	Message: : That's a very good question and I'm not 100% sure. I know that a standard : install will leave your existing data all over the hard drive and that : even you with the right software could recover some of it. There may be an : option during the installation process to do a secure erase - to : completely overwrite the drive with zeros. If so, that shoule be : sufficient. If not, once the hard drive has been reformatted and the OS : installed, you should overwrite all free space on the hard drive to be : sure that nothing is left. There are many free and shareware utilities to : do this. I'm not sure I trust anything I've seen that's free. One of the : least expensive shareware utilities is Freerasor by SubRosa Software - : for $13, you can't go wrong.
	If you'd like to include a link to another page with your message, please provide both the URL address and the title of the page:
	Optional Link URL:
	Optional Link Title:
	If necessary, enter your password below:
	Password: