Re: completely uninstalling jaws & DriveScrubber

  • From: "Angel" <angel238@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2004 18:43:52 -0500

I wiped my hard drive a couple of times with Norton's utility and my jaws
key was destroyed.  Why was this.  I don't wipe anymore.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Will Pearson" <will-pearson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 8:26 AM
Subject: Re: completely uninstalling jaws & DriveScrubber


> Hi;
>
> Firstly, these sort of programs don't wipe a whole hard drive.  The only
way
> to do that is to format the hard drive, or nuke the sectors of the HD
> containing the file allocation table, which will leave the data on the
drive
> but render the drive inoperable, as the O/S won't know which drive sectors
> to read in order to get the file data.  Instead, what they do is to wipe
all
> sectors of a hard drive that once contained data but that have been
flagged
> in the file allocation table as being available to be overwritten.  This
> will mean that all files that haven't been deleted won't be affected,
> however those that have been deleted will have the space they once
occupied
> on the hard drive overwritten with garbage.  This will render it
impossible
> to recover the data that these files contained.
>
> As you cite a process running within the shell of the O/S, this shouldn't
be
> a problem.  All processes, and any threads they create run in logical
> storage, or memory.  Once you load a program it's code is automatically
> transferred to memory, where it's executed until the application quits,
> crashes, etc. and the program is unloaded from memory, and all memory is
> returned to the available pool of memory, unless there's been any memory
> leaks, in which case some but not all will be returned.
>
> What you may be trying to infer, is that Windows is a dynamic operating
> system, which loads bits in to memory from the hard drive as they are
> required.  As these drive cleaning programs don't touch files that exist,
> including the memory swap file, any operating system files won't be
> interfered with by this category of application.  So, Windows will still
be
> able to load components in as it needs them, although it's worthwhile not
> using any other applications whilst using a drive cleaning program, as
these
> may create tempory files that may not get cleaned.
>
> So, Windows won't be damaged, nor fall over, as a result of using a drive
> cleaning program.  It's sole purpose is to wipe areas of a hard drive
where
> files once resided but where they reside no more, not to wipe everything
off
> a hard drive.  If you want to completely wipe a hard drive, and aren't a
> programmer, the only way you can do this is to exit to DOS, as DOS
> completely resides in memory, and format the hard drive.
>
> Will Pearson
> Microsoft MVP (Visual Developer/VC++)
> For more information on the Microsoft MVP Program, go to:
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Sean McMahon" <smcmahon@xxxxxxxx>
> To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, December 06, 2004 8:59 PM
> Subject: Re: completely uninstalling jaws & DriveScrubber
>
>
> > Perhaps the website explains this, but how do you use this program to
> clean a
> > drive when you have to have a process running in an operating system to
> make it
> > work.
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "red" <red2003@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Sent: Monday, December 06, 2004 12:31 PM
> > Subject: Re: completely uninstalling jaws & DriveScrubber
> >
> >
> > > Hi
> > >
> > > http://www.iolo.com/ds/
> > >
> > > DriveScrubber allows you to safely pass-on your hard drives, safe in
the
> > > knowledge that your personal data is 100% gone, and your data
completely
> > > destroyed. Best of all, DriveScrubber is quick and simple to use, and
> works
> > > with any PC, regardless of the drive's format
> > >
> > > DriveScrubber is a utility designed to securely wipe all data from any
> hard
> > > or floppy drive, regardless of its file format or operating system.
Its
> > > purpose is to ensure the safety, privacy, and security of private,
> > > personal, confidential, or proprietary information.
> > >
> > > Once a drive has been wiped with DriveScrubber, no attempts
(regardless
> of
> > > their level of sophistication) will be able to recover any data that
> > > previously existed thereon.
> > >
> > > Good Luck
> > > preston
> > >
> > > At 05:13 PM 05/12/2004, you wrote:
> > > >Hi Will, I just want to say thanks for all the information that you
> alway
> > > >post. Unlike some people who a lot of times leave one line answers. I
> really
> > > >like all the information that you give. I save your posts so I can
> refer to
> > > >it when need be. I like to learn as much as I can. Keep those
> informative
> > > >posts coming!
> > > >----- Original Message -----
> > > >From: "Will Pearson" <will-pearson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > >To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > >Sent: Sunday, December 05, 2004 6:37 AM
> > > >Subject: Re: completely uninstalling jaws
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > Hi;
> > > > >
> > > > > I think it's probably the authorisation key that you are thinking
> of.  The
> > > > > authorisation key is located in the jfw.cps folder in the root of
> drive
> > > > > c:.
> > > > > The key is the file named jfw.cps within this folder.  The folder,
> and
> > > > > presumably the file, have both the hidden and system file
attributes
> set,
> > > > > so
> > > > > you will have to select to view system files from within the
folder
> > > > > options
> > > > > multi page dialog.
> > > > >
> > > > > If someone's removed the authorisation key using hjauth, and
> uninstalled
> > > > > JAWS using the uninstall scripts for InstallShield and they have
> problems
> > > > > reinstalling, then it would make me suspicious of a silent
failiure
> in one
> > > > > of the uninstallation routines.  By a silent failiure, I mean that
> the
> > > > > uninstaller has encountered a problem uninstalling something and
not
> told
> > > > > the user about it.  The uninstaller may have tried to correct the
> problem,
> > > > > it may not have, it may have crashed out with an unhandled
> exception, or
> > > > > whatever, it's up to the programmer's, in this case those for
> > > > > InstallShield,
> > > > > as to how they handle these situations.  Under normal operations
> > > > > everything
> > > > > should install and uninstall fine, however, if a system develops
> "system
> > > > > rot", which it will do over time, then you can notice problems
both
> with
> > > > > installation and uninstallation of software, as well as operation
of
> > > > > software.  Some registry keys and values can go awry, files on the
> hard
> > > > > drive can be corrupted, and settings go wrong.  This can mean that
> an
> > > > > uninstaller that works fine under normal conditions will develop
> proglems
> > > > > under systems with "system rot", likely leaving components
installed
> that
> > > > > it
> > > > > otherwise would have removed.  Software developers can't do
anything
> about
> > > > > this really, as the problems depend on what has gone rotten within
> the
> > > > > system, something that varies with each instance of "system rot".
> So, if
> > > > > you notice uninstallers not removing components, including
registry
> > > > > values,
> > > > > which you think they should have, uninstallers developing problems
> or
> > > > > hangs
> > > > > during uninstallation, or abnormal execution of the software, then
> it
> > > > > might
> > > > > be time to consider formatting the hard drive and starting again.
> > > > >
> > > > > These are exceptional circumstances, but are circumstances that
> occur from
> > > > > time to time, and all software packages can be affected, not just
> JAWS.
> > > > > If
> > > > > you frequently install and uninstall software, not necessarily the
> same
> > > > > package as different packages are likely to cause it just as much,
> then
> > > > > this
> > > > > can increase the risk of "system rot".  Equally, software that has
> had a
> > > > > modified installation routine, such as pirated and illegal
software,
> will
> > > > > significantly increase the risk of "system rot" and things not
> working
> > > > > properly.
> > > > >
> > > > > Will Pearson
> > > > >
> > > > > Microsoft MVP (Visual Developer/VC++)
> > > > > For more information about the MVP program, go to:
> > > > > http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
> > > > > ------ Original Message -----
> > > > > From: "chevelle" <chevelle33@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2004 11:14 PM
> > > > > Subject: Re: completely uninstalling jaws
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >> Hi Will, there was a thread on this subject. From time to time
for
> what
> > > > > ever
> > > > >> reason, someone would uninstall Jaws. Then they would try to
> reinstall
> > > > > jaws,
> > > > >> and try to authorize it. They would get a message saying that
they
> all
> > > > > ready
> > > > >> had an existing copy of jaws on the hard drive. Debbie Scales at
> one time
> > > > >> posted the name of the file, and where to go to delete it, but I
> can't
> > > > > find
> > > > >> that post. That is why I  am wanting to know how to completely
> remove
> > > > >> Jaws
> > > > >> from the computer. btw thanks for all that info.
> > > > >> ----- Original Message -----
> > > > >> From: "Will Pearson" <will-pearson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > >> To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > >> Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2004 12:33 PM
> > > > >> Subject: Re: completely uninstalling jaws
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > > >> > Hi;
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > JAWS has one of the better set of uninstallation scripts
around.
> Some
> > > > >> > uninstallers do leave keys and values in the registry that
will,
> in all
> > > > >> > likelyhood, cause abnormal software operation under some
> circumstances,
> > > > >> > however, the keys and values that JAWS leaves behind, some of
> which are
> > > > >> > auto
> > > > >> > generated by Windows, won't cause abnormal software operation.
> So,
> > > > > unless
> > > > >> > you really know what you are doing when editing a registry, I
> would
> > > > > leave
> > > > >> > them in there, as editing the wrong keys and values will cause
> your
> > > > > system
> > > > >> > to develop unexpected behaviour, and wil probably require you
to
> format
> > > > >> > your
> > > > >> > hard drive and start again.
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > Whilst uninstallation of any software is an important aspect
when
> > > > >> > transferring machines between owners, so as to remain within
the
> > > > >> > conditions
> > > > >> > defined in the individual EULAs for each piece of software,
> security of
> > > > >> > personal data should also be considered.  When you delete
files,
> such
> > > > >> > as
> > > > >> > those in My Documents, they're not actually deleted, even when
> you
> > > > >> > empty
> > > > >> > the
> > > > >> > Recycle Bin.  The 1's and 0's that represent the data on the
hard
> drive
> > > > >> > are
> > > > >> > still present, and all that happens is that the file name in
the
> file
> > > > >> > allocation table changes to indicate that the sectors
previously
> > > > > occupied
> > > > >> > by
> > > > >> > that file can be written to once more.  Therefore, if someone
> were to
> > > > > come
> > > > >> > along with an unerase tool, such as Unerase Wizard from
Symantec,
> they
> > > > >> > could
> > > > >> > recover those files without too many problems.  The only way to
> ensure
> > > > >> > this
> > > > >> > doesn't happen, is to overwrite those sectors of the hard
drive.
> This
> > > > >> > happens quite a lot in normal use, where you're deleting files
> and then
> > > > >> > overwriting that space with new files, but if you're deleting
> files
> > > > > prior
> > > > >> > to
> > > > >> > handing the machine over, then these new files are unlikely to
be
> > > > > created
> > > > >> > and there's nothing to overwrite the old data on the hard
drive.
> > > > > There's
> > > > >> > two ways to get around this.  Firstly, you can format the hard
> drive
> > > > >> > and
> > > > >> > reinstall Windows and all the necessary device drivers, or you
> can use
> > > > >> > a
> > > > >> > tool such as WipeInfo, which is part of Norton Utilities from
> Symantec,
> > > > > to
> > > > >> > write a set of 1's and 0's to the free space on your hard
drive,
> > > > >> > overwriting
> > > > >> > all that personal data with garbage.
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > It's certainly something worth considering, and not something a
> lot of
> > > > >> > people are aware of, as recently highlighted on BBC Breakfast
> News,
> > > > >> > when
> > > > >> > they ran a piece on a report highlighting this security
> vulnerability
> > > > >> > in
> > > > >> > businesses.
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > Will
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > Microsoft MVP (Visual Developer/VC++)
> > > > >> > For more information on the MVP Program, go to:
> > > > >> > http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
> > > > >> > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > >> > From: "chevelle" <chevelle33@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > >> > To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > >> > Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2004 4:06 PM
> > > > >> > Subject: Re: completely uninstalling jaws
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> >> No, I am not talking about removal of the authorizaation key.
I
> am
> > > > >> >> talking
> > > > >> >> about complete removal of Jaws from the hard drive. Even if
you
> > > > > uninstall
> > > > >> >> jaws from the add/remove I believe there is still something
> related to
> > > > >> > jaws
> > > > >> >> in the registery.
> > > > >> >> ----- Original Message -----
> > > > >> >> From: "Horspool, Matthew F." <drjaws@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > >> >> To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > >> >> Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2004 3:11 AM
> > > > >> >> Subject: RE: completely uninstalling jaws
> > > > >> >>
> > > > >> >>
> > > > >> >> > Hi:
> > > > >> >> >
> > > > >> >> > At a guess I would say he means the Authorization key as
> during an
> > > > >> >> > uninstall JAWS does not request a removal of the
authorization
> key.
> > > > > If
> > > > >> >> > anyone can say differently, please speak up!
> > > > >> >> >
> > > > >> >> > You can find authorization information in a file called
> > > > >> >> > Quella authorization key guide.txt
> > > > >> >> > If you are using JAWS 4.51 and below, the file is called
> > > > >> >> > Authorization key guide.txt
> > > > >> >> > I think 3.5 and below called it
> > > > >> >> > Authoriz.txt
> > > > >> >> > Or something like that.  I can't be certain.
> > > > >> >> >
> > > > >> >> > HTH,
> > > > >> >> > Matthew
> > > > >> >> >
> > > > >> >> > -------------------------
> > > > >> >> > Mr. Matthew F. Horspool
> > > > >> >> >
> > > > >> >> > Send me an Electronic Mail to
> > > > >> >> > drjaws@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > >> >> >
> > > > >> >> > Add
> > > > >> >> > horspool@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > >> >> > to your MSN contact list
> > > > >> >> >
> > > > >> >> > Or Visit my web site at
> > > > >> >> > http://www.horspool.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
> > > > >> >> > -------------------------
> > > > >> >> >
> > > > >> >> > -----Original Message-----
> > > > >> >> > From: jfw-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:jfw-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
> > > > >> >> > Behalf Of chevelle
> > > > >> >> > Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2004 4:09 AM
> > > > >> >> > To: jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > >> >> > Subject: completely uninstalling jaws
> > > > >> >> >
> > > > >> >> > Hi, after you uninstall jaws from the add/remove or from the
> tools
> > > > >> >> > options of jaws. I think someone on this list said to
> completely
> > > > > remove
> > > > >> >> > Jaws you have to remove something from the registery. Is
that
> right?
> > > > > If
> > > > >> >> > so what do you remove from the registery to completely
remove
> jaws
> > > > > from
> > > > >> >> > the hard drive. Thanks.
> > > > >> >> > --
> > > > >> >> > To post a message to the list, send it to jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > >> >> > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send a message to
> > > > >> >> > jfw-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the
> subject
> > > > >> >> > line.
> > > > >> >> > Archives located at: //www.freelists.org/archives/jfw
> > > > >> >> >
> > > > >> >> > If you have any concerns about the list, post received from
> the
> > > > >> >> > list,
> > > > >> >> > or
> > > > >> >> > the way the list is being run, do not post them to the list.
> Rather
> > > > >> >> > contact the list owner at jfw-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > >> >> >
> > > > >> >> >
> > > > >> >> >
> > > > >> >> > --
> > > > >> >> > To post a message to the list, send it to jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > >> >> > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send a message to
> > > > >> >> > jfw-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the
> subject
> > > > >> >> > line.
> > > > >> >> > Archives located at: //www.freelists.org/archives/jfw
> > > > >> >> >
> > > > >> >> > If you have any concerns about the list, post received from
> the
> > > > >> >> > list,
> > > > >> >> > or
> > > > >> >> > the way the list is being run, do not post them to the list.
> Rather
> > > > >> >> > contact the list owner at jfw-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > >> >>
> > > > >> >> --
> > > > >> >> To post a message to the list, send it to jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > >> >> To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send a message to
> > > > >> > jfw-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the
> subject
> > > > >> > line.
> > > > >> >> Archives located at: //www.freelists.org/archives/jfw
> > > > >> >>
> > > > >> >> If you have any concerns about the list, post received from
the
> list,
> > > > > or
> > > > >> > the way the list is being run, do not post them to the list.
> Rather
> > > > >> > contact
> > > > >> > the list owner at jfw-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > >> >>
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > --
> > > > >> > To post a message to the list, send it to jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > >> > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send a message to
> > > > >> > jfw-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the
> subject
> > > > >> > line.
> > > > >> > Archives located at: //www.freelists.org/archives/jfw
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > If you have any concerns about the list, post received from the
> list,
> > > > >> > or
> > > > >> > the way the list is being run, do not post them to the list.
> Rather
> > > > >> > contact the list owner at jfw-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > >>
> > > > >> --
> > > > >> To post a message to the list, send it to jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > >> To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send a message to
> > > > > jfw-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject
> line.
> > > > >> Archives located at: //www.freelists.org/archives/jfw
> > > > >>
> > > > >> If you have any concerns about the list, post received from the
> list, or
> > > > > the way the list is being run, do not post them to the list.
Rather
> > > > > contact
> > > > > the list owner at jfw-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > >>
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > --
> > > > > To post a message to the list, send it to jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send a message to
> > > > > jfw-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject
> line.
> > > > > Archives located at: //www.freelists.org/archives/jfw
> > > > >
> > > > > If you have any concerns about the list, post received from the
> list, or
> > > > > the way the list is being run, do not post them to the list.
Rather
> > > > > contact the list owner at jfw-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > >
> > > >--
> > > >To post a message to the list, send it to jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > >To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send a message to
> > > >jfw-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject
> line.
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> > > >
> > > >If you have any concerns about the list, post received from the list,
> or
> > > >the way the list is being run, do not post them to the list. Rather
> > > >contact the list owner at jfw-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > To post a message to the list, send it to jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send a message to
> > jfw-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject line.
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> > >
> > > If you have any concerns about the list, post received from the list,
or
> the
> > way the list is being run, do not post them to the list. Rather contact
> the list
> > owner at jfw-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > >
> >
> > --
> > To post a message to the list, send it to jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send a message to
> jfw-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject line.
> > Archives located at: //www.freelists.org/archives/jfw
> >
> > If you have any concerns about the list, post received from the list, or
> the way the list is being run, do not post them to the list. Rather
contact
> the list owner at jfw-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >
>
>
> --
> To post a message to the list, send it to jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send a message to
jfw-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject line.
> Archives located at: //www.freelists.org/archives/jfw
>
> If you have any concerns about the list, post received from the list, or
the way the list is being run, do not post them to the list. Rather contact
the list owner at jfw-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

--
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