There's no such thing as a stupid question, but they're the easiest to answer.
JoinTour
Login
 
Tag Cloud
acer black screen blue screen boot bsod computer connection crash css dell display driver drivers email error excel explorer firefox firefox 3 game hard drive internet internet explorer itunes laptop lcd linux malware network networking nvidia outlook outlook 2003 outlook express partition printer problem ram router slow sound sprtcmd.exe trojan usb video virus vista windows windows xp wireless
Windows Vista
Search
Search in:
 
Advanced Search
Tech Support Guy Forums > Operating Systems > Windows Vista >
Solved: Permanent deletion


HELLO AND WELCOME! Before you can post your question, you'll have to register -- it's completely free! Click here to join today! We highly recommend that you print a copy of our Guide for New Members. Enjoy!

Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools
absolutezero1287's Avatar
Senior Member with 156 posts.
 
Join Date: May 2007
Experience: Intermediate
12-Jun-2007, 02:04 PM #1
Solved: Permanent deletion
I know that from Windows you can recover files that have been deleted from the recycle bin. I've got some freeware that does it for you. It showed me a list of these "deleted files" and it was horrendously long. How do I go about permanently deleting them?
valis's Avatar
Computer Specs
Community Moderator with 24,468 posts.
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Texas
Experience: cp/m -->
12-Jun-2007, 02:12 PM #2
absolutezero1287's Avatar
Senior Member with 156 posts.
 
Join Date: May 2007
Experience: Intermediate
12-Jun-2007, 02:35 PM #3
I just got it but i don't know how to use it. It looks like it's gonna wipe out all my information. Also, I'm running Vista so the help function isn't working.
I just want to clear out all of those semi-deleted files to get back some space on my HD. I really am a stickler for disk space.
DoubleHelix's Avatar
Distinguished Member with 9,259 posts.
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Experience: A little of this...a little of that
12-Jun-2007, 03:08 PM #4
Eraser will not wipe out all the data on your hard drive. It overwrites free space which is what exists when you delete files. This will also not reclaim any disk space. It only prevents you or anyone else from recovering files you deleted. If you have a hard drive space problem, you need to look at something else.
valis's Avatar
Computer Specs
Community Moderator with 24,468 posts.
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Texas
Experience: cp/m -->
12-Jun-2007, 03:27 PM #5
I guess I'm confused here. My understanding was that you wanted to permanently delete certain files, yet keep the os operational, so formatting was out. Is that correct, or are you in need of freeing up disk space as double states?
absolutezero1287's Avatar
Senior Member with 156 posts.
 
Join Date: May 2007
Experience: Intermediate
12-Jun-2007, 09:00 PM #6
That's pretty much right. I figured that the remnants of those undeleted files would clog up my disk, which is why I wanted them permanently deleted.
valis's Avatar
Computer Specs
Community Moderator with 24,468 posts.
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Texas
Experience: cp/m -->
12-Jun-2007, 09:37 PM #7
no, when you delete something, you remove all the pointers to it. As far as your hd is concerned, that space is 'free', even if there is data on it. So as the OS thinks the hd has 'open' space, it will write to it, thereby overwriting any data that was on there. Once you remove the pointers to the data, you are effectively telling the OS that the data is gone, even though it's not. The OS doesn't really care; it will write over whatever you tell it to do.

If you aren't giving your pc away to someone, just delete it, empty the recycle bin, check the defrag status, run ATF (d/l from majorgeeks.com) once a while and you'll be fine.

Are you having a problem with disk space? Or just want to reduce clutter? If the latter, ATF is a fantastic tool to have. I have it on usb and use it daily on clients pc's at work; cleans up very large amounts of stuff that you had no idea was laying around.

v
__________________
rate me

M.C.S.A.
M.C.P. - MS Server 2k3, Network Architecture

"Ask Bill why the string in function 9 is terminated by a dollar sign. Ask him, because he can't answer. Only I know that".
- Gary Kildall
absolutezero1287's Avatar
Senior Member with 156 posts.
 
Join Date: May 2007
Experience: Intermediate
13-Jun-2007, 02:26 AM #8
I've got a similar application, CCleaner. It cleans up the disk and fixes the registry. Pretty cool. I'm gonna check out ATF anyway.
valis's Avatar
Computer Specs
Community Moderator with 24,468 posts.
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Texas
Experience: cp/m -->
13-Jun-2007, 07:37 AM #9
yeah, the only reason I don't use CCcleaner is BECAUSE it mucks about in the registry.....don't like automated apps running around in there, which is why I use atf instead....but it's a 6-5 pick 'em deal....ask 100 people, you will get close to 50% either way......
__________________
rate me

M.C.S.A.
M.C.P. - MS Server 2k3, Network Architecture

"Ask Bill why the string in function 9 is terminated by a dollar sign. Ask him, because he can't answer. Only I know that".
- Gary Kildall
crjdriver's Avatar
Computer Specs
Moderator with 17,510 posts.
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Reno, NV
13-Jun-2007, 08:37 AM #10
CCleaner also has a secure delete option; you can have it overwrite deleted files so you cannot recover them.

BTW I use both CCleaner and ATF sometimes one will remove something the other does not. I do agree that using any "reg utility" is asking for a problem.
absolutezero1287's Avatar
Senior Member with 156 posts.
 
Join Date: May 2007
Experience: Intermediate
22-Mar-2008, 04:41 PM #11
A belated thank you to you all. Case solved!
Closed Thread

THIS THREAD HAS EXPIRED.
Are you having the same problem? We have volunteers ready to answer your question, but first you'll have to join for free. Need help getting started? Check out our Welcome Guide.


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
WELCOME TO TECH SUPPORT GUY! Are you looking for the solution to your computer problem? Join our site today to ask your question -- for free! Our site is run completely by volunteers who help people like you solve computer problems. See our Welcome Guide to get started.



Thread Tools


You Are Using:
Server ID
Advertisements do not imply our endorsement of that product or service.
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:42 PM.
Copyright © 1996 - 2008 TechGuy, Inc. All rights reserved.
Powered by vBulletin, Copyright © 2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.1.0
Powered by Cermak Technologies, Inc.