Re: completely uninstalling jaws & DriveScrubber
- From: "Will Pearson" <will-pearson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2004 13:26:20 -0000
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
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> > > >> >> > 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
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> > > >> >> > line.
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> > > >> >> >
> > > >> >> > If you have any concerns about the list, post received from
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> > > >> >> > 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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> > > >> >> To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send a message to
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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
> > > >>
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --
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> > > > 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
> > >
> > >--
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> >
> >
> > --
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> >
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the
> way the list is being run, do not post them to the list. Rather contact
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> owner at jfw-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >
>
> --
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> Archives located at: //www.freelists.org/archives/jfw
>
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the list owner at jfw-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
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