RetiredBob
Portage, MI
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Joined: 04/03/2005
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Just bought a new PC and plan on giving my old one to my niece. I want to wipe the hard drive and re-install XP before giving it away. I'd appreciate recommendations for a free download for wiping the drive. Thanks in advance.
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Chris Bryant
DeLand, Florida, USA
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Joined: 03/26/2003
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DBAN- it'll take overnight to run, usually.
Be sure to clearly label the disk, though  .
-- Chris Bryant
My RV Service Blog
The RV.net Blog
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wittmeba
Roanoke, Va
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Joined: 02/02/2001
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During the re-installation of XP you have the option of reformatting the drive. If reformatting doesnt bring enough comfort, there is a free application called Simple File Shredder.
http://www.download.com/Simple-File-Shredder/3000-2092_4-10301332.html
However, I dont know if it will work at the root level.
You can pass it a directory (perhaps all non-windows installation dir) and it will wipe out the entire directory including the directory itself. If you are just looking to remove your own data directories, this program should work fine.
BE CAREFUL...it does what it says.
Just reformatting:
Re-Boot with the Windows XP CD in the drive
When prompted - Boot from CD - press a key
You will have about 3-4 options:
Recover
Reinstall
New installation
Cancel
Select or verify the partition (should default to C)
I cant remember the exact choices or sequence but it should be intuitive.
Make your selection
One option will offer reformatting the drive
Be sure to save any data first, like emails, email lists and special data.
Good luck and take your time.
Bruce & Carolyn Wittmeier
Vietnam Vet 1968-69
2001 Ford F250 4X4 OffRoad, Auto ESOF, KingCab, ShortBed, Airlift Airbags, DiPricol gauges, SCT-Tuner from DP-Tuners (40/80/120HP), Bilsteins, Reese Slider, Jordan, 2001 30RKFS SunnyBrook w/personal touches
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Scottiemom
South Dakota/Indiana
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Joined: 09/09/2003
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My son is a network security engineer. In one workshop he recently attended, they were each given a hard drive purchased off the internet. All had been reformatted and their job was to see what information they could still find on it. They had no software to do so, they were told to get whatever they needed off the internet. Brandon said bascially everything that had ever been put on the drives was still there and salvagable. He said there are programs available for free off the net you can use to thoroughly wipe out the drive, so make sure you use something that really works. I will ask him what works, but he is working in the UK right now, so will ask when he gets back.
Dale
Dale Pace
Wife to Terry (Teacher's Pet)
Mom to 2 rescued Scotties
Bailey and Neal
2006 Tiffin Phaeton 40' QSH, 4 slides (Phaeton Place)
2003 Sport Trac Toad
Fulltiming since retiring in 2005
http://www.skoolzoutforever.blogspot.com/
Where are we?
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aslakson
Fulltiming in the Lower 48
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Joined: 12/16/2005
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Here are a few recommendations.
Techsupportalert is a great source of info on free utilities.
al
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outdoorsman2007
In the Woods - Somewhere!
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Joined: 04/12/2007
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Just reinstall XP and format in the process.
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GSF
full-timing in North America
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Joined: 06/04/2004
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This is what I use:Link
George
97 Airstream Land Yacht
01 PT Cruiser Dinghy
Cappy - Pekinese Burglar Alarm
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david_42
Oregon
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Joined: 04/08/2005
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The XP format process does NOT erase the disk.
DBAN using the DoD standard will wipe the disk, and then do multiple write-overs and erases.
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outdoorsman2007
In the Woods - Somewhere!
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Joined: 04/12/2007
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david_42 wrote:The XP format process does NOT erase the disk.
Yes it will if you do it correctly. You have to boot from the CD and delete the partion before formatting the drive.
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Chris Bryant
DeLand, Florida, USA
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Joined: 03/26/2003
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outdoorsman2007 wrote:david_42 wrote:The XP format process does NOT erase the disk.
Yes it will if you do it correctly. You have to boot from the CD and delete the partion before formatting the drive.
Nope- it still doesn't erase the drive, all it does is erase the "directory" of where the information is on the drive- but the info is still there (until something is written over it).
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