Clean My Hard Drive

[onething]

This is not a porn promo. I have an old computer that needs to go away, but first I want to make sure all my info is off the computer. Any practical suggestions from all you computer types?

[channelmaniac]

The only way is to get a secure delete type of program...

They overwrite files (or the whole disk if you format with it) about 20 to 30 times with junk so you can be SURE that the data is not going to be recovered.

http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0....amp;tg=dl-2001

RJ

[POS Racing]

We pull the drives and smash them in a vice! Great way to insure no one will ever know what was the drive, and it's fun!

[tailchaser]

We pull the drives and smash them in a vice! Great way to insure no one will ever know what was the drive, and it's fun!

Hope the FBI isn't snooping in your trash...

[Kestrel]

"format c:", then percussive maintenance on the offending harddrive (i.e. bash it with a hammer... multiple times... hard...)

[onething]

Sounds like some of you need to bash more than cones to make it through the day

Actually, we were planning to put the computer in the trunk of the Park Avenue when we donate it to some worthy organization. Don't want to demolish the drive, just remove my stuff. Looks like Channelmaniac has the only workable solution so far!

OTOH - Thanks for all the therapy ideas

[EvilSpeeder]

At the place I worked in college (engineering consulting firm) we had a project designing a machine to kill hard drives for the military. We ended up shooting a number of hydraulically powered 1" steel rods through them. I can't remember the standard they wanted to meet, but needless to say, there was nothing left.

[channelmaniac]

Here's what I sent in a PM:
http://staff.washington.edu/jdlarios/autoclave/faq.html

This is a bootable Linux disk that (when run on Level 5) will overwrite the drive 25 times with garbage.

This ensures that nobody will be able to recover the data from the drive.

It will require an OS reinstall but this way all his personal info that hides in config files, .ini files, and in the registry will be removed.

RJ