New Computer- Want to clean the old one of all documents, files, etc...

We just got a new desktop.

I would like to wipe the computer clean of all personal files and documents without wiping the whole HD since I want to leave the OS and drivers intact.

Can I do that?

 

Hi Laura

Not noticed an all in one app that just finds personal files and erases them and leaves OS intact, its more a manual type job, but is easily done, and you as likely you haev CCleaner installed do it via that apps, secure eraser, to activate the secure eraser click Options > Settings and choose Secure File Deletion and pick DOD 3 Pass as its fine, can use 7 pass erasing but it will take hours.

then after backing up all your files for new PC, start deleting your personal stuff, areas to look in are:

My Docs
Favorites
Internet connection settings.
Email, depending on which app your using delete the accounts and emails.
Uninstall all apps that you hold the licence for and may have your name attached like Microsoft Office.

Look through every folder for personal files and delete, may take some time.


once finsished and deleted then run CCleaner install and run Eraser and run its Free Space cleaning option. Click file > New Task > Select the drive likely C: and choose Unused Space on Drive > click Ok, the click Task > Run and when prompted confirm your choice at this point if Options button is listed it will allow you to change the file eraser type and again choose DOD 3 pass and go and make a drink or 10.


If this older PC is an OEM one and has a makers restore disk, I would be tempted to restore it back to factory settings, which will remove most personal idetifiable data, but still would manually delete personal files before and after install run the Eraser Free Space wipe.

 

No prob grc...I bought a new desktop. I want to clean the old one that we had so I can give it to someone or to charity, or whatever.

I am, yes, but the regular cleaning with ccleaner is not what I need.

 

Awesome. Thanks Halo...I'll give this a try.

So no app that just wipes personal files and docs? Maybe someone should capitalize on that lack. Any programmers out there?

I just noticed this. I have discs, but I don't know how to do it. Is it hard?

 

Hi Laura

Think there would be too many locations to find as I never save any files to My Docs, some folk do and then create new folders, so could be a programmers nightmare covering all locations and names of folders people use, automate that job and you could delete too many wrong files.

Little known addition to CCleaner a whiles back is the secure deletion

The Free Space Wipe of Eraser will take many hours depending on method used, but it will delete all the older files that where deleted but still could be recoverable before you started this erasing job.

Actually what you could do once finished is use a data recovery app to see what it finds from your deleted files.

 

Which make and model of PC as many of the OEMs have instuction on how to recover to factory default, TBH as myself & sach2 have mentioned its the safest way.

 

Dell Dimension 4550

I have the Reinstallation CD and actually found the drivers and utilities CD.

This is what I found: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4550/advanced.htm#1207158

Are the instructions on the bottom what I want to follow?

Should I completely wipe the HD first?

 

Hi Laura

Yes could either delete the partition and then recreate and format if the Dell XP CD allows this or use DBAN then run the Dell CD.

Double check and boot to that CD first to check it runs, pop cd in and F12 after Dell logo by what the instructions mention, before using something like DBAN, if you decide to use that app, still could just by re-installing XP run Erasers Free Space Wipe once XP is installed.

Install drivers and then some basic security apps and your done.

 

Ok...I hate to ask this, but as I have never done this or had to reinstall an OS before:

Could you do a step by step for me for whatever would be the simplest yet most thorough cleaning? I'm kinda confused at this point.:-o I uninstalled programs but I'm thinking I really didn't need to do that.

 

Oh, also...I don't have the original keyboard. Will this be a problem?

 

Hi Laura

Simplest was is basically a re-install of the OS to factory, and off hand I've not done the Dell restore as I generally use a retail OS disk, but the steps should be similar if not automated, Or if it goes like the XP general install step by step looks like this But generally Factory Restore CDs are automated with minimal user input.

Kinda depends on wether you wish to manually remove all personal items via that route in uninstalling applications that may hold your name and licence data in them, some will have user name and you dont wish licencing issue if a particular app can only be installed on one PC at a time, which is why I mentioned uninstalling those particular apps. Manually removing could take ages to fully make sure you have removed everything.

SO would myself go with the factory restore, pop the CD in and reboot and hit F12 and see what the steps are as the disk loads found this earlier which may help http://support.dell.com/support/top...E4FE040AE0AB7E107E3&l=en&s=gen#man_osri_task1 looks pretty much like a normal XP install and the link from Petri will help you with steps and options in more detail.

So small step by step would be:

1. Backup all data thats needed.
2. Re-install XP and drivers as per Dell instructions, and the instructions do mention formatting to NTFS the larges partition that the setup finds, which should me C: and likely called Windows XP or similar.
3. Complete install and then isntall the drivers, start with Chipset Driver first, then do one at a time and reboot, until in Device Manager no yellow ! marks are showing.
4. If the PC default factory install adds Norton and basic other apps, then run PC-Decrapifier to remove these.
5. Install basic security apps, SPywareblaster, AV, Firewall etc
6. Defrag
7. Could run Eraser and its Free Space wipe to be 99.99% certain data cannot be recovered.


Keyboard shouldnt be an issue, is it USB and does it need drivers? what make is it? generally basic drivers are installed by the OS if its an all singing and dancing flashy KB.

Pitty I couldnt zip over to go through it with you, but do you have anyone you know whos good with re-installs you could have pop over to guide you through it?

 

Thanks so much David. I'm gonna give it a go. Not sure what I'm so worried about as we have the new one.:-D

Don't I wish!

hahaha...unfortunately I'm it.rolleyes Usually, that's sufficient, but I've never done this. Guess there's always a first time for everything, huh?

 

Hahahaha yeah! just go slow and treat this as a new learning experience, once you re-installed an OS you'll wonder why you hadnt done this before, general advice is.

Go slow and dont rush anything.

If hitting F12 which is the Dells way into the restore options doesnt work, just enter the BIOS and change the boot order so CDROM is 1st then save and exit bios.

Drivers can be the PITA part but get the chipset driver installed first and the rest should be straighforward as the chipset is needed so other things like USB, Audio and LAN can be recognised by the OS. Updated latest drivers from Dell here (these will be latest and likely newer than the ones on your CD.

Update the OS only when all drivers are ok and you have security apps on the PC, so disconnect that PC from the net for now as you can download and troubleshoot on the net with the new PC. On first connect to the net, update your security apps then get the Windows Updates.


Have fun

 

Yay...all seems to have worked out. The drivers were a PIA!

Anyway, I'm even able to connect to the internet. :-D

I'm updating windows now.

Thanks again Halo.

 

Superb stuff Laura

Not as bad as you'd think really is it, just time consuming installing drivers and software, but you need not go over the top with this PC as likely your getting shut of it, so bare bones is all thats needed.

Would run a defrag on the machine once all updates are installed, weirdly enough it will scramble up the free space which is another small way to make sure all data is gone, then you could run a file recovery app like Recuva on it just to see whats found, if nothing then fine, if it recovers any personal files then run Erasers Free Space Wipe.

But likelyhood is with format and reinstall, udpates etc all data will be gone.