[lcsaeteurn]

I deleted a lot of personal information off a hard drive that I want to sell or give away to a friend. I want to make sure that the information is not recoverable. So I deleted everything then filled it back up with a dummy file, then deleted the dummy file. I would assume that if someone tried to recover information off the hard drive now, all they would see is the dummy file, right? Does this delete information completely?

[philthomas]

There is always a risk that data can be recovered by someone, using Recovery Software.

If it's vital, check out the free version of KillDisk here.this will destoy the data completely.

[cheesepuff]

the best way is the old way -- put a few nails through it and then take a hammer to it. its what i do. seriously, thats my method for HDDs that have data i want NO ONE to get at.

[lcsaeteurn]

I'm sure it'll be fine, by deleting everything off, then putting a huge dummy file on it and filling the hard drive completely should push all the data that was on it off completely, this is what government agencies do, except they use a different kind of software, and they dummy up the hard drives more than once.

[KanoakaVirus]

Originally Posted by lcsaeteurn

I'm sure it'll be fine, by deleting everything off, then putting a huge dummy file on it and filling the hard drive completely should push all the data that was on it off completely, this is what government agencies do, except they use a different kind of software, and they dummy up the hard drives more than once.

I doubt your friend is in desperate need to recover your personal information so what you've done already should be enough, although running kill disk as PT recommended would be a good idea regardless of whether you've placed a dummy file over your existing files as this wont be nearly as efficient as running a program like kill disk.

[4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie]

Originally Posted by cheesepuff

the best way is the old way -- put a few nails through it and then take a hammer to it. its what i do. seriously, thats my method for HDDs that have data i want NO ONE to get at.

I'd agree that IS the best way - but not when he has stated that he is giving it to a friend. His friend would not have much use for it I'm sure.

What you've done is usually fine, if you're worried, phil's post is the best and most sensible .

[Bubba]

I like Heidi's Eraser. Not only can you make a nuke disc to nuke the whole HDD, but it also has a feature you can use to erase rahter than delete files off your current HDD. i use mine daily.

http://www.heidi.ie/node/6

An overview:
Works with Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP (32/64),Vista (32/64), Windows Server 2003 and DOS. It works with any drive including IDE, SCSI and RAID, and CD-RW's.
Uses the Guttmann (Default), Pseudorandom Data and US DoD 5220-22.M methods.
Erases Files and Folders.
Erases Files/Folders that were only previously 'deleted'.
Erases all hard drives using 'Darik's Boot and Nuke' method.
Erases Index.dat on Reboot
Erases Encrypted Files and Drives.
Erases FreeSpace on 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP and DOS.
Erases contents of the Recycle Bin.
Erases Compressed Files and Drives.
Erases Network Files, Floppy Disks, CD-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW.
Erases Windows Temporary Files.
Erases Internet Cookies.
Erases Paging (swap) file.
Erases Internet Cache.
Appears as an 'Erase' option on the Context Menu of Windows Explorer and Recycle Bin.
Comes with an Eraser Scheduler that allows you to create user-defined tasks.
Defeats File Recovery software applications Hardware tools.
Supports FAT32 and NTFS Files Systems.
Eraser is easy to use and comes with a dedicated support network.

[MJM]

Originally Posted by lcsaeteurn

I'm sure it'll be fine, by deleting everything off, then putting a huge dummy file on it and filling the hard drive completely should push all the data that was on it off completely, this is what government agencies do, except they use a different kind of software, and they dummy up the hard drives more than once.

Yeah, more like seven times. Once with 0s, once with 1s, then repeated predefined sequence, random, then 1s, then 0s.
Then they send the drive into a huge demagnetiser and then they burn it.
The last two steps only occurr if the hard drive had a file on it which requires the highest level of secrecy.

I don't know if the US Government has changed their ways, but that's the last I heard.

[cheesepuff]

Originally Posted by 4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie

I'd agree that IS the best way - but not when he has stated that he is giving it to a friend. His friend would not have much use for it I'm sure.

What you've done is usually fine, if you're worried, phil's post is the best and most sensible .

aww, but its so fun! i like to salvage the earth magnets. i dont get to do it often, but its great fun.