CLEAN computer

[FastFastr]

What is the best way to clean out all the files, movies, pics ,etc that you no longer want on your computer???

 

[Monazwx]

Do you want to transfer them to storage media (i.e. CD's, Zip Disks, etc.), or just 'wash' the system?

 

[FastFastr]

"wash" the system please

 

[Guest]

 

[beansoup]

I would search your entire hard drive for all the extensions you are concerned about (*.jpeg, *.mpeg, etc) and delete what you don't want. Then I would get a program like Window Washer (I think you can d/l at download.com) and clean out all other hidden files and slack space. I would go a step further and d/l Adaware and clean out any spyware that you have while your at it.

 

[Monazwx]

Clean out all other hidden files and slack space.
I would go a step further and d/l Adaware and clean out any spyware that you have while your at it.

Now I have questions.

How do you retrieve hidden files?
What's slack space?
How do you know if you have Spyware?

(Window Washer is pretty good btw.)

 

[MMorJon]

Adaware looks in your registry and major windows files for cookies and anything that will pop up crap you dont wanna see.

http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10045910.html?part=69274&subj=dlpage&tag=button

 

[beansoup]

Now I have questions.

How do you retrieve hidden files?
What's slack space?
How do you know if you have Spyware?

(Window Washer is pretty good btw.)

What hidden files are you looking for?

Slack space, as far as I know (and Im not an expert) is the "leftover" space in a cluster that is not being used and is "wasted"

If you have never checked, you can be pretty sure that you have some form of Spyware or Adware on your computer, either in the form of a simple cookie or even a dataminer. Both send info back to websites and tell them basically what you do on your computer and where you visit (and probably more.). Ad Aware is free and is updateable. I use it several times a week and I always clean stuff of my computer.

 

[Monazwx]

I don't think I have any hidden files, but i remember the computer asking me about it once,
(I had clicked something by accident).
Spyware sounds scary. I'm d/l the wash/adware today.

 

[fgarvb1]

This might help some.

http://www.spywareguide.com/term_list.php?pageNum_rs1=2&totalRows_rs1=53


http://www.utexas.edu/cc/newsletter/aug99/sanitize.html

 

[cyberski]

What is the best way to clean out all the files, movies, pics ,etc that you no longer want on your computer???

Here's what I use: Window Washer They have a trial period, so you can see how it works for you. I've been using it for over three years and would recommend it any day.


If you're looking for something that will completely delete a file, or several files from your machine to beyond government standards (I.E., even the FBI will not find traces of it on your machine after you get rid of it) Get BCWipe
Then when you right click to delete, opt to "wipe" instead and you'll get rid of those...ummm...erm.....files you don't want others to know you've had on your machine

 

[TigerClaw]

......

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[MagicFingers]

Clean files

delete them all.....

clean cookies
delete all offline content

hell, try formatting.

Formatting is one pretty sure way, but only if it is a full format, not quick.
Clean coockies, delete all the files you want to get rid of,
Delete all temporary internet files in your browser,
Delete all temp Windows files,
Clear the cache,
Run Defrag which will write over the old files.
And probably some more things.

And, yes, all computers have "Hidden" files. Most of them are "System" files that you shouldn't be messing with. You can select "View Hidden Files" to see all of them like I do, because I want to see everything.

And Tigerclaw, I have heard you shouldn't use Windex on a Notebook computer screen.

 

[zzzhuh]

Originally posted by MagicFingers

...Run Defrag which will write over the old files.
And probably some more things....

...and remember, nothing is erased until it's deleted and over written.

 

[glossy]

where can I find some of those programs that are compatible with a Mac? or do I need to worry about it?

 

[FastFastr]

I have:

1. run adaware twice, one right after the other,
2. Looked for the file extensions I want to eliminate and deleted them,
3. Gone to RealPalyer, Widows Media Player, etc and deleted the libraries
4. Erased my cookies, history and folders..


AND STILL when I type in www.asstr... it fills in with a specific "/STORYNAME" how do I get rid of this???

 

[pocahontas]

i've been working on learning how to tweak my computer lately. you can get a lot of useful info. from a the tech tv station. there's also a website tech tv.com. there's a lot of useful stuff. mainly under the the show listings for Call for Help and Screen Savers.

good luck

 

[MMorJon]

AND STILL when I type in www.asstr... it fills in with a specific "/STORYNAME" how do I get rid of this???

Hmmm sounds like you need to clean your history out by going into tools/internet options/clear history and clear your temporary internet files

 

[cyberski]

...and remember, nothing is erased until it's deleted and over written.

That's what the washer program i mentioned AND the bcwipe program do, They erase stuff BEYOND government standards....Meaning that you erase shit with these proggys, even the FBI WILL NOT FIND IT on your machine.....Period.

 

[MMorJon]

eh the best way is formatting

 

[Monazwx]

Hmmm sounds like you need to clean your history out by going into tools/internet options/clear history and clear your temporary internet files

Also check to see if your computer has the "Auto Complete" function selected.

 

[complicity]

eh the best way is formatting

As far as I'm aware, formatting alone will not necessarily get rid of unwanted files, (I'm willing to be proved wrong)! They are still on your hard drive, you just can't get to them by conventional means. They must be deleted AND over written. The best way to do this is a washer program as mentioned by cyberski. But be careful, there are some out there that claim to do the job, but aren't that thorough.

 

[MMorJon]

A magnet to the HD works too (Warning: unless you wanna be paying for a new HD do not put a magnet on your hard drive)

 

[complicity]

A magnet to the HD works too (Warning: unless you wanna be paying for a new HD do not put a magnet on your hard drive)

A tad extreme I'd say!

 

[ReadyOne]

Want to bet?

I know of an agency that throws them into an oven after the magnet pass.