Request for help deleting private data from a new Windows XP computer I have to return

  • Thread starter Thread starter John2005
  • Start date Start date
J

John2005

Hi everyone,

I would like to ask if anyone could please help me with the following
issue. I have new computer that is not working right and I have to
return it.

The computer is an emachines T6528 running Windows XP home edition.

I want to delete all of my personal and business email messages from
outlook express, financial data from quicken, and I also need to delete
files inside of the my documents folder and inside of folders on my
desktop.

I could use eraser http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/ or a similar program
with a free trial if anyone can recommend one, however, if I delete a
file with eraser or a similar wiping program, since windows XP takes
snapshots for it's restore function, will someone be able to use the
restore function in XP to restore my personal files, even though they
have been wiped ?

What is the easiest and best way to return the computer to the store
like it was when I got it, but make it highly unlikely that anyone will
be able to recover my personal and private data ?

I had planned on uninstalling all programs that I installed, then
delete all of the information in "my documents" and other folders on my
desktop with eraser, then wipe all free space. I would also delete all
of the email dbx files with eraser.

In the computer manual it says I can do a full system restore which it
calls (destructive). As quoted from the manual it, "reformats the hard
drive and restores the system software as it was when you purchased
your computer, this process deletes your data files."

I just wonder if the above mentioned restore will also delete system
snapshots that may have recorded my personal and private information ?

I don't mind doing a complete reformat as long as I can get the thing
restored like it was when I bought it, so they will take it back. If I
reformat and have trouble and can't get it going again, then I may be
stuck with it.

If there is a reliable website I can go to that I can get step by step
instructions I would fee more confident.

Wiping the whole thing with a wiping program would be best, but again,
I have to be able to restore it like it was when I got it.

The full system restore instructions in the manual almost seem to
simple, (much more simple then I remember with a windows 98 computer I
reformated years ago) I wonder if I will get into it and encounter
something not covered in the very basic manual that came with the
computer, and then be stuck with a computer that does not work at all.

I am hesitant because I have only done one reformat on a windows 98
machine years ago, and then it was with the help of my brother.

I would appreciate any advice or help anyone can offer with this issue.

Thanks for your help.
John
 
If you're really that paranoid that you don't believe what the 'destructive'
restore will do, and you have a floppy drive, then go to www.bootdisk.com,
download the appropriate boot files/programs, boot you computer from the
floppy, reformat the hard drive(s), boot from the XP CD and then install
things. All your stuff will be gone after the hard drive reformat.
 
John2005 said:
Hi everyone,

I would like to ask if anyone could please help me with the following
issue. I have new computer that is not working right and I have to
return it.

The computer is an emachines T6528 running Windows XP home edition.

I want to delete all of my personal and business email messages from
outlook express, financial data from quicken, and I also need to delete
files inside of the my documents folder and inside of folders on my
desktop.

I could use eraser http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/ or a similar program
with a free trial if anyone can recommend one, however, if I delete a
file with eraser or a similar wiping program, since windows XP takes
snapshots for it's restore function, will someone be able to use the
restore function in XP to restore my personal files, even though they
have been wiped ?

What is the easiest and best way to return the computer to the store
like it was when I got it, but make it highly unlikely that anyone will
be able to recover my personal and private data ?

I had planned on uninstalling all programs that I installed, then
delete all of the information in "my documents" and other folders on my
desktop with eraser, then wipe all free space. I would also delete all
of the email dbx files with eraser.

In the computer manual it says I can do a full system restore which it
calls (destructive). As quoted from the manual it, "reformats the hard
drive and restores the system software as it was when you purchased
your computer, this process deletes your data files."

I just wonder if the above mentioned restore will also delete system
snapshots that may have recorded my personal and private information ?

I don't mind doing a complete reformat as long as I can get the thing
restored like it was when I bought it, so they will take it back. If I
reformat and have trouble and can't get it going again, then I may be
stuck with it.

If there is a reliable website I can go to that I can get step by step
instructions I would fee more confident.

Wiping the whole thing with a wiping program would be best, but again,
I have to be able to restore it like it was when I got it.

The full system restore instructions in the manual almost seem to
simple, (much more simple then I remember with a windows 98 computer I
reformated years ago) I wonder if I will get into it and encounter
something not covered in the very basic manual that came with the
computer, and then be stuck with a computer that does not work at all.

I am hesitant because I have only done one reformat on a windows 98
machine years ago, and then it was with the help of my brother.

I would appreciate any advice or help anyone can offer with this issue.

Thanks for your help.
John
Click to expand...

Option 1: Remove the hard drive, drill a 3/8-inch hole through
the platters. Throw the hard drive away and return the computer.

Option 2: Replace the hard drive with a brand new, identical one.
Return the computer and repeat Option 1.
 
John2005 said:
Hi everyone,

I would like to ask if anyone could please help me with the following
issue. I have new computer that is not working right and I have to
return it.
Click to expand...

Just pull the HD out before sending it off.
it's becoming more common, and expected anymore.

Call and ask.
 
John2005 said:
Hi everyone,

I would like to ask if anyone could please help me with the following
issue. I have new computer that is not working right and I have to
return it.

The computer is an emachines T6528 running Windows XP home edition.

I want to delete all of my personal and business email messages from
outlook express, financial data from quicken, and I also need to delete
files inside of the my documents folder and inside of folders on my
desktop.

I could use eraser http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/ or a similar program
with a free trial if anyone can recommend one, however, if I delete a
file with eraser or a similar wiping program, since windows XP takes
snapshots for it's restore function, will someone be able to use the
restore function in XP to restore my personal files, even though they
have been wiped ?

What is the easiest and best way to return the computer to the store
like it was when I got it, but make it highly unlikely that anyone will
be able to recover my personal and private data ?

I had planned on uninstalling all programs that I installed, then
delete all of the information in "my documents" and other folders on my
desktop with eraser, then wipe all free space. I would also delete all
of the email dbx files with eraser.

In the computer manual it says I can do a full system restore which it
calls (destructive). As quoted from the manual it, "reformats the hard
drive and restores the system software as it was when you purchased
your computer, this process deletes your data files."

I just wonder if the above mentioned restore will also delete system
snapshots that may have recorded my personal and private information ?

I don't mind doing a complete reformat as long as I can get the thing
restored like it was when I bought it, so they will take it back. If I
reformat and have trouble and can't get it going again, then I may be
stuck with it.

If there is a reliable website I can go to that I can get step by step
instructions I would fee more confident.

Wiping the whole thing with a wiping program would be best, but again,
I have to be able to restore it like it was when I got it.

The full system restore instructions in the manual almost seem to
simple, (much more simple then I remember with a windows 98 computer I
reformated years ago) I wonder if I will get into it and encounter
something not covered in the very basic manual that came with the
computer, and then be stuck with a computer that does not work at all.

I am hesitant because I have only done one reformat on a windows 98
machine years ago, and then it was with the help of my brother.

I would appreciate any advice or help anyone can offer with this issue.

Thanks for your help.
John
Click to expand...

http://dban.sourceforge.net/
 
John2005 said:
Hi everyone,

I would like to ask if anyone could please help me with the following
issue. I have new computer that is not working right and I have to
return it.

The computer is an emachines T6528 running Windows XP home edition.

I want to delete all of my personal and business email messages from
outlook express, financial data from quicken, and I also need to delete
files inside of the my documents folder and inside of folders on my
desktop.

I could use eraser http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/ or a similar program
with a free trial if anyone can recommend one, however, if I delete a
file with eraser or a similar wiping program, since windows XP takes
snapshots for it's restore function, will someone be able to use the
restore function in XP to restore my personal files, even though they
have been wiped ?
Click to expand...

No. System Restore affects, as its name implies, only systems files
and states. Data files are not preserved, although some personalized
registry settings may be.

What is the easiest and best way to return the computer to the store
like it was when I got it, but make it highly unlikely that anyone will
be able to recover my personal and private data ?
Click to expand...

To protect your personal information and data from any future users
of average skills, you should, at the very least, format the hard drive
and reinstall only the OS and those applications whose licenses are to
be included in the sale/transfer. If you wish to do a more thorough job
of protecting your personal data, WipeDrive 2.2.1
(http://www.accessdata.com/Product07_Overview.htm?ProductNum=07) meets
U.S. DoD standards for securely cleaning surplus unclassified hard
drives, and could be used before formatting and reinstalling the OS and
applications.

I had planned on uninstalling all programs that I installed, then
delete all of the information in "my documents" and other folders on my
desktop with eraser, then wipe all free space. I would also delete all
of the email dbx files with eraser.

In the computer manual it says I can do a full system restore which it
calls (destructive). As quoted from the manual it, "reformats the hard
drive and restores the system software as it was when you purchased
your computer, this process deletes your data files."

I just wonder if the above mentioned restore will also delete system
snapshots that may have recorded my personal and private information ?
Click to expand...


Yes, this method would completely wipe out, and then overwrite the
contents of the hard drive. After this, the only ones who may be able
to retrieve any of your personal data would be the NSA or a police
forensics laboratory.

I don't mind doing a complete reformat as long as I can get the thing
restored like it was when I bought it, so they will take it back. If I
reformat and have trouble and can't get it going again, then I may be
stuck with it.

If there is a reliable website I can go to that I can get step by step
instructions I would fee more confident.

Wiping the whole thing with a wiping program would be best, but again,
I have to be able to restore it like it was when I got it.

The full system restore instructions in the manual almost seem to
simple, (much more simple then I remember with a windows 98 computer I
reformated years ago) I wonder if I will get into it and encounter
something not covered in the very basic manual that came with the
computer, and then be stuck with a computer that does not work at all.
Click to expand...


This is because eMachines uses a "Restore" CD, which contains an
"image" of the installed system; there is no lengthy reinstallation
process to go through.




--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrum Russell
 
Back
Top