getting rid of all data on comp?

BoneBone Canadia
edited January 2005 in Science & Tech
For my own reasons i want to completely get rid of past data onc omp such as sites went to, files i delted that were sent to recycling bin and i got rid of. etc and like my old registries and my key logs. what i did so far was a high level format then i used z-delete using the U.S. stanard Dod 5220.22M it says it over writes nay like deleted data and stuff using it and i wanted make sure that includes EVERYTHHING from when i formatted. please reply promptly THANKS

Comments

  • paroxymparoxym Toronto, Canada
    edited January 2005
    If you're at all worried about data being left behind you could always use DBAN.
    Darik's Boot and Nuke ("DBAN") is a self-contained boot floppy that securely wipes the hard disks of most computers. DBAN will automatically and completely delete the contents of any hard disk that it can detect, which makes it an appropriate utility for bulk or emergency data destruction.
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited January 2005
    Go to your drive manufacturer's website and download the diagnostic tool for that drive. You can do a "zero" or a low-level format to write all zeros to the drive.

    As far as I know, you'll need to find some sort of military-strength wipe utility in order to truly destroy the data.. If it's THAT important, I would just buy a new drive, open the old drive up and pour some rubbing alcohol in there and light the bitch up.
  • mmonninmmonnin Centreville, VA
    edited January 2005
    Format C:

    The answer to all computer problems.
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited January 2005
    formatting doesn't get rid of the data
  • gibbonslgibbonsl Grand Forks AFB
    edited January 2005
    primesuspect wrote:
    Go to your drive manufacturer's website and download the diagnostic tool for that drive. You can do a "zero" or a low-level format to write all zeros to the drive.

    As far as I know, you'll need to find some sort of military-strength wipe utility in order to truly destroy the data.. If it's THAT important, I would just buy a new drive, open the old drive up and pour some rubbing alcohol in there and light the bitch up.

    doing this about 5 times would do it:)

    the first suggestion i mean

    the 2nd one + a BIG magnet and a blowtorch would do it:P
  • mmonninmmonnin Centreville, VA
    edited January 2005
    Geeky1 wrote:
    formatting doesn't get rid of the data

    I know but thats the answer I give to my roomates when there is a problem.;)
  • BoneBone Canadia
    edited January 2005
    wel... so far ive done a high level format, then low level format, then guttmans algrothim and that does 35 overwrites which is supposed to completely overwrite all data with diffeerent chaacters each time so ever micro-magnetism they cant egt info off but i dont know if tis true i read the paper wrote by the guy but its hard ot understand. im using eraser to do it since its the only free one i could fidn thatw as fully fuctinal its been going since last night and its only at 35 percent done >_< but im curious is after its done if i wipe it with zereos it will over write the over written data? like it would trick someone making them think i did a simple all zero wipe then all the other over writes ar ebeneeath that right? cause i was thinking of doing a U.S. DoD 5220-22M which is the standard for the department of defense gettign rid of data but guttmans is the most secure one out right now >_< and getting rid of drive is not an option because i need it or i have no comp and i dont have money for other one >_>
  • KwitkoKwitko Sheriff of Banning (Retired) By the thing near the stuff Icrontian
    edited January 2005
    You'll be fine. Unless the FBI has something on you and they need the data from your HD for an international treason case, nobody is getting data off that drive.
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited January 2005
    Yeah, christ dude, I mean it sounds like you've got the situation in control, but dammit what could be that incriminating? If you've got kiddie porn or national security **** on your drive, maybe you aren't the type of person I want to be helping :eek3:
  • BoneBone Canadia
    edited January 2005
    hmmm well basically im beuing investigated because im being accussed of err internet harrassment well im not guilt but theres stuff i wouldnt want be found like personal ****, personal emails and conversations and ****. so yeah so i have start up guttmans voer write later cause it wouldnt let me play halo while it was doing it :-(
    so yeah ill do it later then the U.S. DoD 5220-22M overwrite then hopefully i will be fine. opnly reason im worried is the cop said some dude smashed up his comutetr to bits with hammer adn they sepnt 50k putting it back togetehr adn got all info off it for evidence :-/... i dont know if thats true but the dude was that hacker from montreal who ahcked into a govenment secuirty database it was in paper a while back.
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited January 2005
    I don't think you're going to be able to get any more thorough than that - other than melting and destroying the drive.
  • BoneBone Canadia
    edited January 2005
    yeah... i guess this is all i can do >_< im not really worried but u know i dont want a chance of anything happening. thx for all your help. and if i wanetd destory a comp iw ould smash it to pieces, pour rubbing alchol on it all and gasoline and light it on fire then i would blow torch it all together put it in a container with acid and put weights on it and drop it to the bottom of the ocean (seeing how i live right beside alantic ocean) >_> but thats only if it was that serious... lol
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