how do I?

[White Hart]

how do I get everything off the hard drive of an old Dell PII 233/Windows95 desktop computer?

This computer works fine, and one of my son's friends doesn't own a computer - thought he could have this one FOC to do homework/basic internet on. Better than just throwing it away. Just need to get all my personal stuff (bank/CC details etc) off there first - and no, there's no porn on it!:}

My Dad says 'format the hard drive' - can't see any option to do this, and does it work anyway?

[Saab Dastard]

Do a google on "relevant search terms like "secure erase disk wipe delete" etc. - add freeware to the search too ;)

That means that you can totally erase the disk to a state that can't realistically be recovered. Note that these programs will usually a) have to run several times to ensure complete and unrecoverable deletion and b) take a long time.

You will then need to install an operating system from scratch, so ensure that you have the relevant installation media to hand, with appropriate boot floppy with fdisk, format, CD drivers etc.

You may be able to selectively and securely erase portions of the existing installation without deleting the entire disk, but frankly I reckon it's easier to blat the whole thing.

Interestingly, for secure deletion of data on hard disks on a project for the MoD, I had to use a screwdriver and a hammer. And no, you can't re-use the HD afterwards :E

SD

[Keef]

how do I get everything off the hard drive of an old Dell PII 233/Windows95 desktop computer?
...
My Dad says 'format the hard drive' - can't see any option to do this, and does it work anyway?
You can format the hard drive from within Windows Explorer (although interesting things will happen). It's better to do it from a DOS boot disk (if you still have one of those).

Neither will prevent a determined person from reading what was there before you formatted it. There are utilities that will overwrite the hard disk, thereby removing everything - I've never used one, but I'm sure a Google search would soon find one.

You will then need your Windows 95 disks to reinstall.

[Conan the Librarian]

Don't forget - If you do reformat, then you are ieally going to have to reinstall drivers. Expand the device manager now to show all of the bits and pieces and download all of your needed drivers to CD or similar. (Vid, soundcard, etc.etc. With 95 there ain't, or probably ain't, any USB issues) It is much easier to be prepared beforehand, than to have to wing it afterwards.

Catch is that if you reformat, it will possibly run so much quicker than before, that you might want to keep it!

Conan

[vapilot2004]

If you are confident that you can locate all of your sensitive data, you could leave Windows intact and use this free DoD type eraser here (http://www.download.com/3000-20-10231814.html?part=undefined&subj=dl&tag=button) (Download.com link)

Format operations can still leave data on the disk. A DOS based zero-writing program is highly recommended if you are re-installing the OS like this one. (http://www.download.com/3000-20-10073508.html?part=undefined&subj=dl&tag=button)

Conan offers excellent advice re: downloading your drivers and such from dell.com/support.



Interestingly, for secure deletion of data on hard disks on a project for the MoD, I had to use a screwdriver and a hammer. And no, you can't re-use the HD afterwards


We used electromagnets and drills - then the hammer. :ok:

[White Hart]

thanks 4 the advice folks - off to give it a whirl :ok:

[ormus55]

download the ultimate boot disk or cd. it has lots of utilities on there including a number of secure format tools. varying in degree from simple to FBI standard!
beware it takes hours to do a secure format.

and remember, the only true way of deleting everything properly, is to smash the hdd to bits.
:)

[planecrazy.eu]

Hey, do you have a URL for that, ultimate boot disk? It sounds pretty good. Want to erase my hdd of all my bank details...

[ormus55]

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/index.html

[born2fly_au]

According to top security experts there is only one way to fully Guarantee your data is safe. that is a bullet from a high powered rifle through the disks. I have heard that large government agencies in the US will not part with a hard drive no matter how many times it is formatted or supposedly securely erased as you never fully trust you will remove every piece of important data. if someone with enough time and know how wants your information they will retreive it.

Seeing as this computer is remaining in the family i cannot see it causing too many problems though. Do a secure erase of the disk using one of the above suggested programs and hopefully all should be fine. if i was disposing of the computer i always remove the hard drive before disposing of the box especially if it has been used as in your case for financial transactions.