Re: Erasing private files from Windows XP.

["Yousef Syed" <yousef.syed () gmail com>]

It is a fairly new laptop (3>months) that that has developed a
hardware problem (power-supply/battery) so I expect to get the same
system back but with a new power-supply. I know that they will
reinstall the system before they start testing and that they want the
entire laptop to ensure their tests work correctly.

It doesn't contain any classified client work/data on it, though it
did have plenty personal data.

I've been making a monthly image (using Acronis) of the system since I
got it, so backing it up was easy.
I ran CCleaner on the temp/cookies and registry etc.
I ran Eraser over all the personal directories I mentioned earlier in
the earlier post + all the locations that everyone has mentioned -
THANKS.

My main problem is (and it has been my pet hate of Windows for some
years now) that I have no control or knowledge of where else it
chooses to "hide" data or how the various installer programs work. On
many occasions I've uninstalled various apps only find that the
Registry still stores information about them, months later (even after
I've run CCleaner).

Any extra advice would be great; but I think I've done everything that
I can for now.

Thanks All,
ys


On 29/01/07, intel96 <intel96 () bellsouth net> wrote:
> If the laptop is not being returned to you then wipe the disk clean
> using something like WipeDisk.  This wipes the disk clean, no OS, no
> nothing.
>
> I do this every time I return a laptop for maintenance or back to IT
> when I am leaving a project or the company.
>
>
> Yousef Syed wrote:
> > Hi,
> > Can someone please point me to a checklist of all the places that
> > Windows XP might store personal information?
> >
> > I need to return my Laptop for a repair and would like to ensure that
> > no personal or client information is hiding anywhere.
> >
> > I've erased "My Documents" and various other directories in the
> > "C:\Documents and Settings" directory; plus all directories that I
> > created myself.
> >
> > I've run CCleaner to clear out all the Temp files, Cookies etc...
> >
> > However, my experience of Windows is that it has a tendency to store
> > data all over the place.
> >
> >
> > Furthermore, does anyone have any policies in place for when corporate
> > PCs are sent to a third-party to be repaired?
> >
> > Any advice would be much appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > ys
> >
> >


--
Yousef Syed
"To ask a question is to show ignorance; not to ask a question, means
you remain ignorant" - Japanese Proverb