Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows Vista and 7 => Topic started by: Top Cat on October 05, 2011, 08:24:15 PM

Title: Unwanted graphics
Post by: Top Cat on October 05, 2011, 08:24:15 PM

I'm trying to clean up my laptop with OS 7 before I sell it or give it away. I've used Recuva to overwrite all my old photos, but when I use the iCare Data Recovery program it literally finds thousands more, most of which I don't even recognize and must have been dumped on the PC by websites. I can't use iCare to find a path because all it does is allocate a filename of its own to each file. They are all listed as RAW files.

Does anyone know how I can locate these files so I can shred them? They can't be found by viewing Hidden Files and Folders, and using CCleaner to clear out the caches makes no difference either. I'd like to think they are all in one big bunch somewhere, but I've got a feeling they might be spread throughout the system. I'm not real keen on wiping the hard drive and reinstalling all over again.

Thanking you in advance.

Title: Re: Unwanted graphics
Post by: patio on October 05, 2011, 08:33:01 PM

Quote

I'm not real keen on wiping the hard drive and reinstalling all over again.

Any reason why ? ? This would solve the issue...

Title: Re: Unwanted graphics
Post by: Top Cat on October 05, 2011, 08:55:32 PM

I first noticed the 'problem' on my Vista laptop. I eventually decided to use the recovery disc which came with the PC, expecting all would be wiped in the reinstalling process. To my surprise iCare found them all again.

Title: Re: Unwanted graphics
Post by: patio on October 05, 2011, 09:27:46 PM

It won't if when you re-install you select delete the partition and rebuild it...
I've never heard of iCare...

Title: Re: Unwanted graphics
Post by: Transfusion on October 05, 2011, 09:44:12 PM

http://www.icare-recovery.com/ (http://www.icare-recovery.com/)
Is this the iCare you talk about?


If you are really paranoid you could run http://www.dban.org to shred all the files and the Master Partition Table of your HDD. However that is unnecessary in most cases. Try Patio's suggestion first.

Title: Re: Unwanted graphics
Post by: Top Cat on October 06, 2011, 04:36:28 AM

Yes that's the iCare.  Thanks for your help Tranfusion. Over and out.