Wipeing freespace?

hurricane3

hurricane3

SOH-CM-2023
I once read in someones post that they always wipe freespace with CCleaner. I don't understand if it's free space whats to wipe? Also can this harm your computer or programs like wipeing files? I'am on my second week of reinstalling FS9 (took 7 years to get it to where it was before a defrag program messed it up) and I sure don't want to screw up again.
 
Just because you delete a file from you HD with the windows delete function doesn't mean all of it's 1s and 0s are really gone. The bits and pieces are still there and can in rare circumstances cause problems.

That is what CCCleaner does.
 
Hurricane

Wiping free space will not harm your computer nor will it cause programs to stop running. Wiping free space on your drives simply gets rid of any left over bits and pieces of files that are left behind. Kind of like how your wife goes behind you with a roll of paper towels getting rid of all the streaks after you have cleaned the windows.

While CCleaner can be used to wipe free space, there is a much better program to do it.

Eraser. A nifty program by Heidi. http://eraser.heidi.ie/ Go to the Downloads tab and scroll down to Stable Builds and select version 6.08.2273. That is the most recent stable version...works like a charm in Win XP and Win 7 64-Bit Home Premium and Ultimate (the only versions of Windows I have run it on...should work just fine with Vista as well).

Here's how to effectively use Eraser.

1) Stop sending files to the Trash Can/Recycle Bin thingie. Deleting a file does not get rid of it...it simply tells the computer to ignore the file, while the file remains on your disc until it is eventually over written by another file. Kind of like taking down the mail box to your house...the house is still there, but you can't get any mail. Not at all secure.

Eraser allows you to ERASE the file completely and permanently....once you have Eraser installed, all you have to do is right click on the file(s) you want to get rid of, a pop up window thingie comes up, select ERASE. Bingo Bango....Eraser will overwrite the file 1, 3, 5, 7, 15, 35 times...what ever level of secure file destruction you desire.

2) Using Eraser to wipe free space is far better than using CCleaner as it will get into all the little nooks and crannies and totally clean your HD of any residual file parts and pieces...all the way out to the cluster tips. I have no idea what this means other than it frees up HD space, cuts down on read/write times, reduces the likelihood of trojans and worms hiding out in those nooks and crannies and keeps you HD clean and shiny.

It's free, it works like a charm. I install it on every computer I work on and show the owners how to use it and why they should use it.

It does take a while to fully wipe the free space on HDs. So, I suggest firing up Eraser, starting the Free Space Wipe, and going to bed...let the system run all night and do its thing.

OBIO
 
thanks

I'am going to get the Erase thingy and do what you said. I already have the XP burner so I know you guys are alwys right about this stuff. Don't know what I'd do with out you.
 
Once you have FS back together and working just so....or actually maybe even before you get there I would suggest looking into a good backup and restore option that can zip the entire thing up and unpack it if disaster strikes.

Stefan
 
first a question for OBIO

I downloaded Eraser but didn't understand the instructions. I got to a point where I went to my computer /c drive right clicked on clean free space and it started. I know you said it was slow but in four hours it only went to one green bar. I got nervious and uninstalled it because I didn't know if that was the right thing to do , and wasn't sure of the settings so I uninstalled it and used CCleaner ,but I'am not sure if it even worked.It took all evening to run and the green bars went the whole way but it shut off at 97% . Shouldn't it show an increase in HD space if it worked at all? I can redownload Eraser and let it run all night but am afraid too. Can you tell me if going to the c drive and chooseing clean free space was the right thing to do. I'am so afraid of wipeing every thing out ,I'am very gunshy at this point.
As for back up I now have a 2 tb external hard drive that my computer guy set up to copy all of FS9 ,CFS2 and 3 and my install of Forgotten Battles BOE UBIsoft.
I also backed up the files in application data .
My backup HD is set so when ever I make a change I hit backup and it goes through all those files and updates any changes.
Am I doing things right?I thought if I lose FS9 or one of the others I can reinstall the sim ,then copy and paste all the files over to the new install ,and let them overwrite whats already in the sim.
Also can you recomend a good freeware registery cleaner ? The one I use won't delete 8 files since I installed Trend micro's Titanium virus program which was freeware with my cable provider. I formally had the same Trind Micro as payware for years but since I could get it free now I didn't renew my subscription. Sorry this is so long. Oh my registery cleaner is also payware which I've had for years called Regestry Cleaner by SoftwareOnline.
Again sorry this is so long.
 
Hurricane

It takes HOURS to fully wipe the free space on a HD....the larger the HD the longer it takes; the more passes you have Eraser set to do, the longer it takes.

Here's how I set mine up to do a Free Space Wipe:

Open Eraser
Go To Settings
Set Default File Erasure Method to US DOD 7 pass
Save Settings

Select New Task
Check Run Immediately
Click the Add Data button
Set Erasure Method to what ever...I use USAF 3 pass..doesn't take as long as the US DOD 7 pass
Select the HD you want to wipe the free space on
Click Unused Disc Space
Click Erase Cluster Tips
Click Ok
Click Ok

One thing...if you are using Win 7 (and probably Vista) and have that UAC security crap turned on....you have to run Eraser as Administrator...well that didn't work for some reason.

Until I figure out Eraser on Win 7...just use the Free Space Wiper on CCleaner. It works...and yes it takes a long long time. Getting to 97% is just the part where CCleaner wipes out the internet cookies and internet history....from that point on CCleaner is wiping free space...and that takes HOURS. Like I said, start it and go to bed.

OBIO

Because CCleaner..unless I am mistaken...does not clean the sector tips or whatever...you will not see an increase in free HD space...and even with Eraser will you not always see an increase in free HD space....they mainly just permanently erase left over file bits and keep your HD cleaner and more secure.
 
Hi,

Just a note about this eraser ....
The target of the eraser is certainly not to regain some disk space.
This will be no disk space gain
The target of the eraser is to SECURE the HD free space of any attempt to read it for find what was there before.
It's really of use if you want to trow or sell a HD who contained (for you) sensitive informations that you want no share or you want not to be discovered by a investigation tool.
Anyways if you have some realy big top secret infos on your HD and want keep it secret .. the best tools are in this order
A hammer
And after .. a good furnace :)
 
Think I got it now

Thanks guys I think I got it now so I'll try tonight again.And thanks for giving me the correct settings.
 
claudius24 said:
Hi,

Just a note about this eraser ....
The target of the eraser is certainly not to regain some disk space.
This will be no disk space gain
The target of the eraser is to SECURE the HD free space of any attempt to read it for find what was there before.
It's really of use if you want to trow or sell a HD who contained (for you) sensitive informations that you want no share or you want not to be discovered by a investigation tool.
Anyways if you have some realy big top secret infos on your HD and want keep it secret .. the best tools are in this order
A hammer
And after .. a good furnace :)
Click to expand...

Could not have explained it better myself!!
The only time I (just me, myself) do a complete security over write is if I am passing one of my old discs to another person.
If I'm disposing of a drive a Ten Pound 'Sledge' is my weapon of choice!!
:applause:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top