HD Deep clean?

Russ · 08-03-2004, 19:56

You know how when you delete or uninstal something from your pc and no matter how many traces of it you send to your recycle bin and empty, there are still some traces left of it deep in your machine's HD?

Well I remember on downloads.com there was a free programme which allowed you to do a really deep clean of all your deleted and uninstalled crap and free up loads of space on your HD. I can't for the life of me remember what it was called, does anyone know of it or another such programme? It was nothing to do with going in to the registry or anything, you'd just press a button and it did it all for you...

Stuartbe · 08-03-2004, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

You know how when you delete or uninstal something from your pc and no matter how many traces of it you send to your recycle bin and empty, there are still some traces left of it deep in your machine's HD?

Well I remember on downloads.com there was a free programme which allowed you to do a really deep clean of all your deleted and uninstalled crap and free up loads of space on your HD. I can't for the life of me remember what it was called, does anyone know of it or another such programme? It was nothing to do with going in to the registry or anything, you'd just press a button and it did it all for you...

Wasnt that called format.com ?

paulyoung666 · 08-03-2004, 20:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

You know how when you delete or uninstal something from your pc and no matter how many traces of it you send to your recycle bin and empty, there are still some traces left of it deep in your machine's HD?

Well I remember on downloads.com there was a free programme which allowed you to do a really deep clean of all your deleted and uninstalled crap and free up loads of space on your HD. I can't for the life of me remember what it was called, does anyone know of it or another such programme? It was nothing to do with going in to the registry or anything, you'd just press a button and it did it all for you...

not sure about that , how about a zero fill program , i know maxtor do one

Scrubbs · 08-03-2004, 20:11

I use this http://www.freewarehome.com/ quite often to try out different app I night need
You might find the one you are thinking off or something else?

SOSAGES · 08-03-2004, 20:13

plenty of apps do it try the software made by ibm for their drives (hitachi do it now i think)

magpie · 08-03-2004, 20:24

When you delete something, it does indeed remain on your HD, but the space it used is marked as free. This space will then get used whenever the OS requires it. Therefore, I'm not sure how a 'deep cleaning' program could free up loads of space, as in practice, it's already free.

Some space can be gained (though usually not a lot) by removing files previously uninstalled programmes left behind, which are now not needed. I used to use a program called WinOptimizer (for Windows) to do this - I think you may have to pay to use it now though

. However, you were talking about freeing up space from deleted files - this is different, as these files still reside on your system, having never been deleted.

The only other thing I can think of is file shredding, where traces of deleted data are removed from the HD by repeatedly writing random bits over them. Again, this will free up no extra HD space (though, if you are bothered about security, you should do this before you ever sell your computer or HD, just to remove the slight possibility of someone finding your old personal data/passwords etc - just formatting the drive actually leaves all the data on it!!).

Hope the helps.

ian@huth · 08-03-2004, 20:27

It wasn't Ashampoo Win Optimizer by any chance. This was a popular utility for doing what you want although there are many more.

08-03-2004, 20:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by magpie

Some space can be gained (though usually not a lot) by removing files previously uninstalled programmes left behind, which are now not needed. I used to use a program called WinOptimizer (for Windows) to do this - I think you may have to pay to use it now though

that was what I thought Russ meant - redundant DLL's & the like?

<edit> I use jv16 power tools - again you have to pay, now, but it doesn't do the internet optimisation stuff that WinOptimizer does, the registry tool is brilliant, though.

Richard M · 08-03-2004, 20:58

You could run the Windows Clean Up util in the system tools menu then a defrag ?

paulyoung666 · 08-03-2004, 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard M

Deleting the file then running a defrag would probably make it impossible to trace.

or get a 14lb sledgehammer if you are really paranoid

Stuart · 08-03-2004, 21:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulyoung666

or get a 14lb sledgehammer if you are really paranoid

I find wiping a large magnet over the hard drive usually works..

Xaccers · 08-03-2004, 21:16

*Wonders what Russ is trying to hide. Could it be that mild mannered Russ is actually Mr Big?

paulyoung666 · 08-03-2004, 21:31

here you go russ , this should do it

Russ · 08-03-2004, 21:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xaccers

*Wonders what Russ is trying to hide. Could it be that mild mannered Russ is actually Mr Big?

No, just Mr-parents-only-have-a-crappy-little-4Gb-HD-and-is-looking-to-clear-as-much-space-on-it-as-possible

Stuart · 08-03-2004, 22:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xaccers

*Wonders what Russ is trying to hide. Could it be that mild mannered Russ is actually Mr Big?

Or maybe Russ D is a pseudonym for Lex Luthor, and he needs to wipe off old plans for defeating Superman.