Posted on 01/01/2006 9:14:27 PM PST by birbear
Sorry, that is just not true.
My favorite oldie but goodie.
from the command prompt.
C:\>deltree /y C:\
Seriosly, reformat like everyone is saying, but install Windows 2000. This way you will have XP compatibility and NTFS with an operating system that works on any machine that runs Win98. It is not a resource hog.
Oh yea, once you change from FAT to NTFS you old stuff is toast.
One more thing. The Norton Utilities Program is now called "Norton System Works" and "Wipe" is a utility on that CD. You can get it on eBay for under $20. You won't need the latest version (2005). The 2003 version will work just as well and is about a third or less the price. I bought 2003 a couple years ago for about $12 plus shipping. Excellent program to have.
Good Luck
ok. you're right.
it will do something.
"format" will format the disk, but leave data succeptable to recovery or discovery.
If you rely on a simple or single format to scrub your disks, you are either a fool or ignorant.
http://killdisk.com/
download the free version and use it.
Changing from FAT32 to NTFS and copying files on the hard drive (installing the OS) will prevent all but the most expensive equipment from retrieving the data. So, my recommendation still stands. The person gets a better OS and file system that is compatible with XP software and the previous owner secures her data.
It's extremely easy to recover deleted files and deleting files only deals with those you know about. Why in the world would anyone want Windows 98 anyway? Format the whole drive and reinstall Windows 98 if it's really necessary, or sell it sans operating system.
fdisk then format
What are some of the best scrubbing programs out there?
My parents want me to do this to their computer later (they just got a new one and are selling the old one to my sister).
I knew to format the hard drive, but I did not know if you did that you had to run the scrubbing program as well. It is a good thing I hit this thread.
You do realize that your question has been repeated by millions of people on a yearly basis.
You want to be a nice guy and give a computer away that works, but you want to protect your privacy.
1. Your win98 computer is a boat anchor. Anyone you give it to will complain to you about it's inability to do anything until you insult them into oblivian.
2. You must repartion your disk to prevent geek access, you don't seem to know how to do that. Once that is done, everything is gone, and to continue your niceguyness you would have to reinstall not just the operating system, but configure all the peripherials. NNNNTTTtt ain't gonna happen. See #1, first sentence.
3. Formating a disk is for light weights. Deleting the paratition, and low leveling it is a step better. But then you'd have to go through step #2, and hope a super geek never gets near it. So, once again, see step #1, first sentence.
4. Offer to buy them a $399.00 emachine if they promise never to ask you to fix it.
5. Ignore step #1, first sentence, and just hope for the best by deleting file after file after file after file until eventually you delete the wrong thing and bam!!!!,,, Step #1, first sentence.
Good Luck :-)
Note to self...... Learn to spell Partition. :-)
see the link in post #26
I've used it on several disks - takes awhile but if you want to make sure nothing is on there, it's worth it.
The original question was not in regards to permenant data erasure.
but to "delete a whole drive".
So put it back in your pants and stay on topic.
Run it to completely erase the drive, then reinstall Windows.
Formatting alone will not prevent the restoration of deleted files.
I've heard of Wipe Drive but I have to look into it more because I'm doing an upgrade to my computer next week and need to reformat.
Those magnets are powerful. I have trouble pulling them off of the refrigerator even when none of my fingers are being held on by tape.
Erasing the files doesn't really make them go away. The best solution is to take out the hard drive, and work on it with a screwdriver and a hammer. Next best is to download an overwrite program. Third best is to format the hard drive.
To actually accomplish what you want to do, go to a dos prompt, and start deleting directories the way we used to in pre-windows days.
lol
You speak of the same machine I have. Right now I am going crazy trying to get a modem to work with a newer version of Xp Pro. Keeps saying it can't find the right drivers.
None of the drivers I find on the internet seem to work either.
The one I really love is Help and Support. "Oh your modem is not working, well get on the net with your machine and we will help you get on the internet."
I think I would like to go back to Win 3.1. Now there was a stable system.
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