Need help here

[Rac80]

I have had a used PC given to me that I am repurposing for a "client" (one of the kids I work with) and I want to completely wipe the hard drive. I have a recovery disk to use, but the person who had this got had several untreated viruses and worms that really slowed down the pc. they have been cleaned up now (i have anti virus) but the PC is still very slow even playing a simple game. So any suggestions how to wipe it or does Format: c still work best?

 

[Overmind One]

I have had a used PC given to me that I am repurposing for a "client" (one of the kids I work with) and I want to completely wipe the hard drive. I have a recovery disk to use, but the person who had this got had several untreated viruses and worms that really slowed down the pc. they have been cleaned up now (i have anti virus) but the PC is still very slow even playing a simple game. So any suggestions how to wipe it or does Format: c still work best?

Okay, the best way to do this (assuming you have Windows) is to do it using the recovery disk if you can. When it prompts you, just choose to format the drive. It will either allow you to choose or just inform you that everything will be lost. There are better ways, but I do not know your skill level. I dont believe I have assisted you before, have I?

 

[Rac80]

Okay, the best way to do this (assuming you have Windows) is to do it using the recovery disk if you can. When it prompts you, just choose to format the drive. It will either allow you to choose or just inform you that everything will be lost. There are better ways, but I do not know your skill level. I dont believe I have assisted you before, have I?

nope you've never helped me I am a advanced beginner- in that I know more than someone who knows absolutely nothing but not enough to really do these sort of things on my own. I tried to format my flashdrive to use a program called Darik's boot and nuke but I couldn't get it to work. I want to completely erase all of the info on the hard drive (it's a pc btw) just in case it falls into the "wrong" hands. My friend is being very generous and I would hate to have it bite them in butt down the road.

yes it's windows

 

[Joelist]

Parted Magic will also work fine for that:

http://partedmagic.com

Yes it costs $10 but once you have it you can stash it on a DVD or a USB key and you have it forever, and it is useful for a lot of PC utility type jobs.

 

[Overmind One]

nope you've never helped me I am a advanced beginner- in that I know more than someone who knows absolutely nothing but not enough to really do these sort of things on my own. I tried to format my flashdrive to use a program called Darik's boot and nuke but I couldn't get it to work. I want to completely erase all of the info on the hard drive (it's a pc btw) just in case it falls into the "wrong" hands. My friend is being very generous and I would hate to have it bite them in butt down the road.

yes it's windows

Dont buy anything to do this. Its a basic thing to wipe a hard drive for a restore. Just download DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke) here for free: http://sourceforge.net/projects/dban/ Burn it to a CD/DVD and run it from a cold boot. It is so easy to use, I wont bother posting instructions. It will take time depending on the size of the drive, but it is my favorite for wiping hard drives in prep for re-imaging.

 

[Overmind One]

Parted Magic will also work fine for that:

http://partedmagic.com

Yes it costs $10 but once you have it you can stash it on a DVD or a USB key and you have it forever, and it is useful for a lot of PC utility type jobs.

Not a fan of Open Source software, eh? There is no way in hell I would pay for a program just to wipe a hard drive.

 

[Joelist]

I only hesitated on Darik's because he expressly says he cannot guarantee a secure erase and Rac seems to have precisely that need.

 

[Joelist]

Parted Magic does a lot more than just erasing. It partitions, clones, rescues data/passwords and so forth. Granted for just an erase it is a bit of overkill as it is much more an IT toolbox suite than just an eraser.

 

[Overmind One]

Parted Magic does a lot more than just erasing. It partitions, clones, rescues data/passwords and so forth. Granted for just an erase it is a bit of overkill as it is much more an IT toolbox suite than just an eraser.

I like Parted Magic. But for this it is definitely overkill. As a guy who sells services to private clients, free is always the first suggestion. If the client is wanting to do several machines or the same operation at regular intervals, sometimes a paid solution is better. I found that other IT service guys who always recommended buying new hardware, software, tools, etc were avoided because they were associated with spending money they might not have or want to spend. For every commercial product, there is an equivalent open source product.

 

[Annoyed]

I only hesitated on Darik's because he expressly says he cannot guarantee a secure erase and Rac seems to have precisely that need.

That's probably just to keep the lawyers at bay. DBAN will wipe the thing to a level where it would take thousands of dollars in effort to have even a remote chance of recovering any data from it. If you want to be absolutely, positively sure, physically destroy the drive with whatever tools give you the most satisfaction.

Afterthought: Or, you could lend it to the Obama administration, and they'll "lose" the data on it in some way or another.

 

[Overmind One]

That's probably just to keep the lawyers at bay. DBAN will wipe the thing to a level where it would take thousands of dollars in effort to have even a remote chance of recovering any data from it. If you want to be absolutely, positively sure, physically destroy the drive with whatever tools give you the most satisfaction.

Afterthought: Or, you could lend it to the Obama administration, and they'll "lose" the data on it in some way or another.

I have been using it for years. It has never failed to secure erase any drive I have used it on. And I think you may be right about the legal thing. But for this, we are talking about a home user preparing a drive (in a basically complete and secure way) for re-store disk. We arent talking about a server drive or a business computer with sensitive data on it. No need to spend a dime on software to do that.
--- merged: Jan 8, 2015 at 11:19 AM ---

Parted Magic does a lot more than just erasing. It partitions, clones, rescues data/passwords and so forth. Granted for just an erase it is a bit of overkill as it is much more an IT toolbox suite than just an eraser.

I agree...but I really do not think Rac needs that.

 

[Joelist]

True. I only mentioned it because Rac mentioned a need to in effect securely erase and DBAN had that disclaimer....

 

[Bluce Ree]

nope you've never helped me I am a advanced beginner- in that I know more than someone who knows absolutely nothing but not enough to really do these sort of things on my own. I tried to format my flashdrive to use a program called Darik's boot and nuke but I couldn't get it to work. I want to completely erase all of the info on the hard drive (it's a pc btw) just in case it falls into the "wrong" hands. My friend is being very generous and I would hate to have it bite them in butt down the road.

yes it's windows

Use your recovery disk and choose the option to format the partition, like OM1 suggested. The rest is pointless for your use.

There is no need to totally destroy the disk unless you're trying to hide some sensitive information.

 

[Bluce Ree]

True. I only mentioned it because Rac mentioned a need to in effect securely erase and DBAN had that disclaimer....

Well, that's probably because she had the mistaken impression that viruses and malware can magically survive a formatted recovery and subsequently revive and reinfect the freshly reinstalled system.

 

[Overmind One]

nope you've never helped me I am a advanced beginner- in that I know more than someone who knows absolutely nothing but not enough to really do these sort of things on my own. I tried to format my flashdrive to use a program called Darik's boot and nuke but I couldn't get it to work. I want to completely erase all of the info on the hard drive (it's a pc btw) just in case it falls into the "wrong" hands. My friend is being very generous and I would hate to have it bite them in butt down the road.

yes it's windows

I missed that! You can format a flash drive using Darik's. DBAN must run from boot and then you can do it. This means that if you end up in Windows, you have gone too far.

 

[Joelist]

Well, that's probably because she had the mistaken impression that viruses and malware can magically survive a formatted recovery and subsequently revive and reinfect the freshly reinstalled system.

That too is possible. I read it more as she wanted to be sure no one could steal information (one gets "trained" to read things certain ways...).

 

[Gatefan1976]

Rac, the only thing you need to know is one word.

Electromagnets.

I make no promise that anything will work after doing so however.

 

[Joelist]

Or a flamethrower....

 

[Overmind One]

Rac, the only thing you need to know is one word.

Electromagnets.

I make no promise that anything will work after doing so however.

NO! That will also damage the other components in the drive housing.

 

[Gatefan1976]

NO! That will also damage the other components in the drive housing.

hence my refusal to give a garentee