List of steps to "sterlize" Windows XP

[simms]

You know, there should be a list of steps that cover everything you need to clear out before you leave your job, short of a format.

Not only like remove documents, clear out history, clear out favourites, but also things like..

Remove the "Customize Notifications" icons in your taskbar...
Hidden files in your Program Files
Registry settings with other installed programs
Previous System searches

The WHOLE shebang...
Is there a list out there?

 

[kmrivers]

why don't you make it?

 

[fbrdphreak]

😕

What are you afraid of them finding?

 

[Epic Fail]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
😕

What are you afraid of them finding?

his Britney Spears mp3 collection

 

[GeekDrew]

If the systems admin is worth his weight in salt, you won't be able to do a lot of that stuff.

And if you have the rights anyway, just reformat.

 

[simms]

Originally posted by: GeekDrew
If the systems admin is worth his weight in salt, you won't be able to do a lot of that stuff.

And if you have the rights anyway, just reformat.

Nah, like if you're the system admin on that computer (standalone)...

I'm not even working right now, but I thought about an old job where a complete list would have been useful :beer:

There always some traces.. maybe previously opened WMP files, previous office documents too

 

[Howard]

Sterilize?

 

[fitzov]

Just wipe the hard drive and reinstall the OS?

If it were a single user you could just delete the user account.

 

[0roo0roo]

download eraser. wipe unused area, wipe all that needs to be deleted

 

[Accipiter22]

remove its' uterus?

 

[FoBoT]

just keep a dban cd handy

http://dban.sourceforge.net/

DBAN will automatically and completely delete the contents of any hard disk that it can detect, which makes it an appropriate utility for bulk or emergency data destruction.

 

[simms]

Originally posted by: fitzov
Just wipe the hard drive and reinstall the OS?

If it were a single user you could just delete the user account.

Probably the best idea i've heard yet. Thanks!

 

[911paramedic]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
just keep a dban cd handy

http://dban.sourceforge.net/

DBAN will automatically and completely delete the contents of any hard disk that it can detect, which makes it an appropriate utility for bulk or emergency data destruction.

Don't want to insert that disc by accident, doh!

 

[jumpr]

If your IT department does regular backups of user data, all your work is for naught.

 

[Aquila76]

This is why normal people don't keep Scheiße pr0n on their work PC.

 

[DrCrap]

Well, computers can always have little 'accidents'...

 

[imported_Phil]

DBAN FTW. Ran it twice on my work machine in my last job, just to make sure. Did the laptop, too.

 

[biggestmuff]

just format c:

Let the admins worry about reimaging the drive.

 

[sao123]

Old employee out... new employee in = wipe and reimage.

 

[kami333]

At the last place I just did a reformat when I left, and got rid of the user on the ones I couldn't reformat. I was the backup sys admin so I could do it🙂

I think they might be using the same admin passwords though...

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Speaking from the perspective of both admin and helpdesk - we don't give a (bleep) about your dirty laundry. The system will get formatted and reimaged within about five minutes of it showing up. 😛

- M4H

 

[MaxDepth]

Delete your Windows profile? There should be an admin profile that keeps the system intact.

 

[Fenixgoon]

format?