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Re: Software to clean out a computer to be donated?

Subject: Re: Software to clean out a computer to be donated?
From: Josh
Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:01:44 -0600
Newsgroups: alt.comp.freeware

>John Corliss wrote:
>> LouB wrote:
>>> As the subject says Software to clean out a computer to be donated?
>>> I know I can re-format the drive.  But are there any easy to use 
>>> programs that, hopefully, will run from a USB drive.  I am cool with 
>>> the command line.  Program can be a complete or selective.
>>>
>>> TIA
>> 
>> Man, that shows how bad my eyes are getting for reading. I first saw 
>> your subject line as "Software to clean out a computer to be detonated?"
>> 
>> I'd consider simply removing the hard drive and destroying it if you 
>> don't know where the computer will wind up. If you do know, then as 
>> Hummingbird recommends, a program like Eraser:
>> 
>>   http://www.heidi.ie/node/6
>> 
>> can do a good job of overwriting empty space so that deleted data can't 
>> be recovered by anybody other than a serious hacker, if even then.
>> 
>
>Thanks to all who replied.  I can ot destroy the drive since it will be 
>donated to someone in need.  Will either use eraser or wil reformat and 
>then reinstall an OS.
>
>Lou

You said EITHER user eraser or reformat/reinstall?  I believe you want
to nuke it, using one of the suggestions other posters have already
given you, AND then format/reinstall OS.

btw, another option, download Jetico's Bestcrypt, trial version.
Although is is a pay program, just use the free trial version to nuke
your drive. It used to have (I think it still does) an option to even
make a nuke disc.  Come to think of it, I seem to remember that the
"make a nuke floppy" part of it was free anyway. If I'm out of line
for even making a reference to a pay program, I'm sure the regulars
will let me know.

Personally, I used to use at least 3 different (free) proggies to nuke
the drive in question. Nowadays, I do as someone here suggested, take
a blowtorch to the old drive. When I donate a computer, it is sans HD.

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