[SDELETE] Usage problem
Glagla
-
johann83910 -
johann83910 -
Hi
I can’t get Sdelete to work.
I download it, I click the exe, a window opens and disappears very quickly (so I don’t even know if it’s installed) and when I type "sdelete -z c:" in the command prompt it tells me "sdelete is not recognized as an internal command...".
Does anyone have the solution?
Thanks a lot folks!
I can’t get Sdelete to work.
I download it, I click the exe, a window opens and disappears very quickly (so I don’t even know if it’s installed) and when I type "sdelete -z c:" in the command prompt it tells me "sdelete is not recognized as an internal command...".
Does anyone have the solution?
Thanks a lot folks!
Configuration: Windows XP Internet Explorer 7.0
23 answers
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Hello dear Friend Perplex,
First of all, congratulations on your 80 candles.
As the other said: "He spoke Arabic, but to me, it was Hebrew!!!". Arabic and Hebrew are very close languages, so we should be able to understand each other. Regarding your generation, do not worry, the operation of SDELETE is much easier to understand than ENIGMA ;)
1) You decompress the downloaded file (it's an archive file because compressed to take up less space) on the desktop: that's what you did -> you get the file "SDELETE.EXE"
2) You will open the "Command Prompt"; there are 2 solutions:
- either click Start -> Run... (right column) -> a window opens -> you type "CMD" and click "OK" -> a BLACK WINDOW opens
- or click Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt -> the same BLACK WINDOW opens
3) Once the Command Prompt is OPEN, simply drag the SDELETE.EXE file (that you obtained earlier and is on your desktop) directly into the middle of the black window
4) You will then see text appear in this famous window, and you will then only have to enter the desired command.
5) Example for 7 passes:
[space]-z[space]-p7[space]c: (do exactly this, replacing [space] with the "space" key, of course)
Conclusion: SDELETE erases all your data by making several passes over your hard drive. You must have previously put the files in the Recycle Bin (by doing a "drag/drop") and then "empty the Recycle Bin"; these files will then be considered as erased "virtually" but not physically on your hard drive: SDELETE IS SPECIFICALLY MADE FOR THAT (thus to erase confidential data, for example)... do you really need it? Couldn't you just put them in the Recycle Bin ?? up to you...
I remain at your disposal and wish you good luck!
First of all, congratulations on your 80 candles.
As the other said: "He spoke Arabic, but to me, it was Hebrew!!!". Arabic and Hebrew are very close languages, so we should be able to understand each other. Regarding your generation, do not worry, the operation of SDELETE is much easier to understand than ENIGMA ;)
1) You decompress the downloaded file (it's an archive file because compressed to take up less space) on the desktop: that's what you did -> you get the file "SDELETE.EXE"
2) You will open the "Command Prompt"; there are 2 solutions:
- either click Start -> Run... (right column) -> a window opens -> you type "CMD" and click "OK" -> a BLACK WINDOW opens
- or click Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt -> the same BLACK WINDOW opens
3) Once the Command Prompt is OPEN, simply drag the SDELETE.EXE file (that you obtained earlier and is on your desktop) directly into the middle of the black window
4) You will then see text appear in this famous window, and you will then only have to enter the desired command.
5) Example for 7 passes:
[space]-z[space]-p7[space]c: (do exactly this, replacing [space] with the "space" key, of course)
Conclusion: SDELETE erases all your data by making several passes over your hard drive. You must have previously put the files in the Recycle Bin (by doing a "drag/drop") and then "empty the Recycle Bin"; these files will then be considered as erased "virtually" but not physically on your hard drive: SDELETE IS SPECIFICALLY MADE FOR THAT (thus to erase confidential data, for example)... do you really need it? Couldn't you just put them in the Recycle Bin ?? up to you...
I remain at your disposal and wish you good luck!
Thank you Philem!
I tried, and... it works!!
Good "SDelete" to everyone and.... Happy New Year! Perplex.
I tried, and... it works!!
Good "SDelete" to everyone and.... Happy New Year! Perplex.
Hello!
Indeed, Sdelete is not easy to manipulate! Me neither, I can't get it to work when I specify an arbitrary number of "passes" (p5 for example). However, it works by simply typing: -z c: . The text "Sdelete ready for 1 pass" is then displayed. We type "Enter" and the percentage of work completed is shown as the progress unfolds. But it's very slow, probably depending on the free space volume.
Nevertheless, even after a remarkable number of passes done this way, the list of files is still visibly there, stubborn as ever, when using "pci file recovery". At least on my grandkids' PC, whereas, with my own PC, it seems to work since the said list consists of lines each starting with a large number of "zeros" and the original file names have disappeared.
In short, for me the mystery persists! SOS!! Thanks!
Indeed, Sdelete is not easy to manipulate! Me neither, I can't get it to work when I specify an arbitrary number of "passes" (p5 for example). However, it works by simply typing: -z c: . The text "Sdelete ready for 1 pass" is then displayed. We type "Enter" and the percentage of work completed is shown as the progress unfolds. But it's very slow, probably depending on the free space volume.
Nevertheless, even after a remarkable number of passes done this way, the list of files is still visibly there, stubborn as ever, when using "pci file recovery". At least on my grandkids' PC, whereas, with my own PC, it seems to work since the said list consists of lines each starting with a large number of "zeros" and the original file names have disappeared.
In short, for me the mystery persists! SOS!! Thanks!
hello,
in the Run command, type CMD
then you drag the icon of your program into the window that opened
then you set the -z c: parameters for example and then you press Enter and normally it works!
--
i learn fast ...... but i don't understand quickly! lol
in the Run command, type CMD
then you drag the icon of your program into the window that opened
then you set the -z c: parameters for example and then you press Enter and normally it works!
--
i learn fast ...... but i don't understand quickly! lol
Hello.
It seems I have the same problem as you, including the appearance of the message: "SDELETE is not recognized as an internal or external command ...". Moreover, after downloading SDELETE, I do not find it in the list of programs, nor in: "Add or Remove Programs".
However, its icon does appear with the others when logging in.
I would be glad to have an explanation for the problem and I thank in advance anyone who could give it to me.
Best regards.
It seems I have the same problem as you, including the appearance of the message: "SDELETE is not recognized as an internal or external command ...". Moreover, after downloading SDELETE, I do not find it in the list of programs, nor in: "Add or Remove Programs".
However, its icon does appear with the others when logging in.
I would be glad to have an explanation for the problem and I thank in advance anyone who could give it to me.
Best regards.
Hi Perplex,
Actually SDELETE does not require installation and therefore no uninstallation.
You go to the Start menu -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt and a black window opens
then you click on the SDELETE icon that you downloaded and you drag it directly into the black window
Hope it will work :)
Actually SDELETE does not require installation and therefore no uninstallation.
You go to the Start menu -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt and a black window opens
then you click on the SDELETE icon that you downloaded and you drag it directly into the black window
Hope it will work :)
Hello, Glagla.
Thank you for your reply! Unfortunately, I still do not understand the precise maneuver to perform; (computers are not my generation: I am 80 years old!!).
I will try to describe as best I can what I observe:
As already noted, SDelete, once downloaded, does not appear in: "All Programs", nor in the "Add or Remove Programs" list.
However, 2 icons appear on the Windows XP desktop:
- The first icon (SDelete.zip; with a zipper). Type: "compressed folder"; 45.4 KB. A click on it opens a new window displaying two small square icons, one of which: "Sdelete.exe". Application. 163 KB. The various manipulations I have done, including the one you recommend, still lead me to this window.
-So, by clicking on this icon: "SDelete.exe", we get: "Compressed folders warning". "This application may require other compressed files located in this folder to run properly." It is recommended to extract all files beforehand.
There are 3 buttons to choose from: "Extract All" - "Run" - "Cancel".
If I choose: "Extract All", the "Extraction Wizard" window appears. "... The files will be extracted to: "Documents and Settings\Name\Desktop\SDelete."
- Then a new window: "File Replacement Confirmation". "This folder already contains a file named 'sdelete.exe'. Do you want to replace the existing file?" Choose one of the 4 buttons:
"Yes" - "Yes to All" - "No" - "Cancel".
I click on: "Yes to All". We read: "Extraction complete. The files have been extracted to the following folder: "C:\Documents and Settings\Name\B...\SDelete."
As someone said: "He spoke Arabic, but it was Hebrew to me!!!" My lack of experience cruelly betrays me. I wonder: Can SDelete protect only the traces of compressed folders or ALL traces?
Sorry for all these explanations, but if they could help you explain the maneuver in detail, it would be helpful.
Thanks again and best regards.
Thank you for your reply! Unfortunately, I still do not understand the precise maneuver to perform; (computers are not my generation: I am 80 years old!!).
I will try to describe as best I can what I observe:
As already noted, SDelete, once downloaded, does not appear in: "All Programs", nor in the "Add or Remove Programs" list.
However, 2 icons appear on the Windows XP desktop:
- The first icon (SDelete.zip; with a zipper). Type: "compressed folder"; 45.4 KB. A click on it opens a new window displaying two small square icons, one of which: "Sdelete.exe". Application. 163 KB. The various manipulations I have done, including the one you recommend, still lead me to this window.
-So, by clicking on this icon: "SDelete.exe", we get: "Compressed folders warning". "This application may require other compressed files located in this folder to run properly." It is recommended to extract all files beforehand.
There are 3 buttons to choose from: "Extract All" - "Run" - "Cancel".
If I choose: "Extract All", the "Extraction Wizard" window appears. "... The files will be extracted to: "Documents and Settings\Name\Desktop\SDelete."
- Then a new window: "File Replacement Confirmation". "This folder already contains a file named 'sdelete.exe'. Do you want to replace the existing file?" Choose one of the 4 buttons:
"Yes" - "Yes to All" - "No" - "Cancel".
I click on: "Yes to All". We read: "Extraction complete. The files have been extracted to the following folder: "C:\Documents and Settings\Name\B...\SDelete."
As someone said: "He spoke Arabic, but it was Hebrew to me!!!" My lack of experience cruelly betrays me. I wonder: Can SDelete protect only the traces of compressed folders or ALL traces?
Sorry for all these explanations, but if they could help you explain the maneuver in detail, it would be helpful.
Thanks again and best regards.
Hello!
Sorry, Madambug, but I’m unable to inform you. I haven’t used SDelete since my last message. But you’ll surely find someone more competent than me?!
Good luck! Perplex.
Sorry, Madambug, but I’m unable to inform you. I haven’t used SDelete since my last message. But you’ll surely find someone more competent than me?!
Good luck! Perplex.
Hello,
I have several partitions under XP.
The only way to get Sdelete to work is to copy it to the root of the partition in question and type sdelete -z (drive):
a- I can’t get Sdelete to work with the -p option (number of passes)
b- When I manage to run a simple Sdelete, sdelete -z (drive letter): although it “works” > progress percentage scrolling, the files destroyed are still in an “excellent” state with software like Recuva, for example...
Any idea?
Thanks.
I have several partitions under XP.
The only way to get Sdelete to work is to copy it to the root of the partition in question and type sdelete -z (drive):
a- I can’t get Sdelete to work with the -p option (number of passes)
b- When I manage to run a simple Sdelete, sdelete -z (drive letter): although it “works” > progress percentage scrolling, the files destroyed are still in an “excellent” state with software like Recuva, for example...
Any idea?
Thanks.
Hello,
Exactly like FREEK above, if I run and re-run "SDelete" and check the result with RECUVA, nothing is erased; on the contrary, the more SDelete is used, the more files and folders erased are found...
Neither Ccleaner nor defragmentation improve the situation...
I think it’s due to the fact that my HP PC with XP and System Restore means deleted files are protected...
Proof: I restored my PC with a restore point from 5 days ago... and I found back my folders and files supposedly annihilated... on my desk... Guilherets, as if nothing had happened... proof that what I’m saying is real, even if I can’t explain it to you.
If someone has a real solution and not nonsense...
Thank you!
Exactly like FREEK above, if I run and re-run "SDelete" and check the result with RECUVA, nothing is erased; on the contrary, the more SDelete is used, the more files and folders erased are found...
Neither Ccleaner nor defragmentation improve the situation...
I think it’s due to the fact that my HP PC with XP and System Restore means deleted files are protected...
Proof: I restored my PC with a restore point from 5 days ago... and I found back my folders and files supposedly annihilated... on my desk... Guilherets, as if nothing had happened... proof that what I’m saying is real, even if I can’t explain it to you.
If someone has a real solution and not nonsense...
Thank you!
Hello,
I think you should succeed by using: "ERASER, version 5.84".
As indicated in my last message (18-10-07), I think I have succeeded on my own PC, since when checking with "PC Inspector File Recovery", only the names of 4 or 5 files remain at the top (by the way, I don’t know what these files correspond to!), but their contents are not visible. On the other hand, ALL the names of ALL the other files are replaced by an endless string of "zeros"; this seems to confirm the indications read previously that "SDelete" overwrites what might still be visible by writing a sequence of zeros. I think my guess is correct ??
But on the other hand, it did not work with my grandchildren's computer who therefore asked me to try something else.
So I tried "ERASER", although it is in English (but that's not insurmountable!). For safety, I just used the phrase: "ON DEMAND", choosing to erase the free space on the hard drive. As you can see, you can also program automatic wiping for the following days, but I did not try. And the results seem good when checked with: "PC Inspector File Recovery".
But since I don't know much, the opinion of people more qualified would be welcome!
Good luck !!
I think you should succeed by using: "ERASER, version 5.84".
As indicated in my last message (18-10-07), I think I have succeeded on my own PC, since when checking with "PC Inspector File Recovery", only the names of 4 or 5 files remain at the top (by the way, I don’t know what these files correspond to!), but their contents are not visible. On the other hand, ALL the names of ALL the other files are replaced by an endless string of "zeros"; this seems to confirm the indications read previously that "SDelete" overwrites what might still be visible by writing a sequence of zeros. I think my guess is correct ??
But on the other hand, it did not work with my grandchildren's computer who therefore asked me to try something else.
So I tried "ERASER", although it is in English (but that's not insurmountable!). For safety, I just used the phrase: "ON DEMAND", choosing to erase the free space on the hard drive. As you can see, you can also program automatic wiping for the following days, but I did not try. And the results seem good when checked with: "PC Inspector File Recovery".
But since I don't know much, the opinion of people more qualified would be welcome!
Good luck !!
Hello Perplex
Thank you for your response.
So, on your suggestion, I tried ERASER, which looks very well made... but Fucks! it speaks only English!
First of all, I greatly appreciated that you can use it as another “trash” via a DRAG & DROP to get rid of any folder... but I don’t know if this “Trash” will be more effective than Windows’ trash can, on the secret side of “trashed folders.”
TO TEST, then... I am like Saint Thomas: “I only believe what I see!”
I also tried to deal with unused hard drive space. It took 4 good hours >>> an enormous list of folders “failled” where I thought I recognized plenty of names of “system folders,” then at one point (memory) “could be erased”... and at the end there was a message “Save as” >>> I didn’t save anything at all because I want to get rid of “folders”... not to save them; finally, I clicked I don’t know what, to try to conclude...
I immediately ran RECUVA afterwards to see the result >>> but ALAS, I still have the same tree of supposedly “deleted” files present on the disk... ONE SHOT FOR NOTHING.
It’s a bit rough... so I will try to translate part of ERASER’s user guide to test on an old machine running W 98... which does not guarantee it will work under XP.
The problem is that I’m afraid of making a mistake and ending up with my computer “maimed” with vital files deleted.
Anyway, thanks, I’ll come back here to talk about the tests if I have any convincing results.
Regards.
Thank you for your response.
So, on your suggestion, I tried ERASER, which looks very well made... but Fucks! it speaks only English!
First of all, I greatly appreciated that you can use it as another “trash” via a DRAG & DROP to get rid of any folder... but I don’t know if this “Trash” will be more effective than Windows’ trash can, on the secret side of “trashed folders.”
TO TEST, then... I am like Saint Thomas: “I only believe what I see!”
I also tried to deal with unused hard drive space. It took 4 good hours >>> an enormous list of folders “failled” where I thought I recognized plenty of names of “system folders,” then at one point (memory) “could be erased”... and at the end there was a message “Save as” >>> I didn’t save anything at all because I want to get rid of “folders”... not to save them; finally, I clicked I don’t know what, to try to conclude...
I immediately ran RECUVA afterwards to see the result >>> but ALAS, I still have the same tree of supposedly “deleted” files present on the disk... ONE SHOT FOR NOTHING.
It’s a bit rough... so I will try to translate part of ERASER’s user guide to test on an old machine running W 98... which does not guarantee it will work under XP.
The problem is that I’m afraid of making a mistake and ending up with my computer “maimed” with vital files deleted.
Anyway, thanks, I’ll come back here to talk about the tests if I have any convincing results.
Regards.
.
For the ERASER manual in French, it already exists and thanks to:
http://manuelsdaide.com/Eraser/Eraser.htm
Enjoy reading
For the ERASER manual in French, it already exists and thanks to:
http://manuelsdaide.com/Eraser/Eraser.htm
Enjoy reading
Hello
When I drag the sdelete.exe icon onto the CMD prompt, it doesn’t install. Do you know how I can proceed?
Thanks
When I drag the sdelete.exe icon onto the CMD prompt, it doesn’t install. Do you know how I can proceed?
Thanks
For Novice:
Hello! Another novice (80 years old!) answers you: As you may have already read, I have myself “messed up” quite a bit with SDelete and I’m not the only one! Nevertheless, I am providing you below a method that allows me a SINGLE PASS of erasure, which I can repeat if needed.
Try to do EXACTLY what follows:
After unzipping SDelete into "My Documents", type:
-Start - All Programs - Accessories - Command Prompt. The black screen: "Command Prompt" appears. Keep it.
-Search for "sdelete.exe" where it is located (for me: in "My Documents") and drag it (left mouse button held down) into the black screen, which adds to the already visible line: "...\\sdelete.exe".
-From there, possibly make the blinking cursor appear (if it isn’t already) by a left click.
-Then type:
- SPACE (with the spacebar); -z (dash and z); SPACE; C:; Enter.
The text then appears: "SDelete is set for 1 pass" (SDelete is set for one pass.)
"Cleaning free space on c :: 0%" (cleaning free space on C: at 0%). That is, the indication of the progress percentage of the cleaning operation on drive C. It is then simply a matter of waiting and seeing 100% display. This can be very long, depending on various criteria. Do not lose patience.
Good luck. Keep us posted. Perplex.
Hello! Another novice (80 years old!) answers you: As you may have already read, I have myself “messed up” quite a bit with SDelete and I’m not the only one! Nevertheless, I am providing you below a method that allows me a SINGLE PASS of erasure, which I can repeat if needed.
Try to do EXACTLY what follows:
After unzipping SDelete into "My Documents", type:
-Start - All Programs - Accessories - Command Prompt. The black screen: "Command Prompt" appears. Keep it.
-Search for "sdelete.exe" where it is located (for me: in "My Documents") and drag it (left mouse button held down) into the black screen, which adds to the already visible line: "...\\sdelete.exe".
-From there, possibly make the blinking cursor appear (if it isn’t already) by a left click.
-Then type:
- SPACE (with the spacebar); -z (dash and z); SPACE; C:; Enter.
The text then appears: "SDelete is set for 1 pass" (SDelete is set for one pass.)
"Cleaning free space on c :: 0%" (cleaning free space on C: at 0%). That is, the indication of the progress percentage of the cleaning operation on drive C. It is then simply a matter of waiting and seeing 100% display. This can be very long, depending on various criteria. Do not lose patience.
Good luck. Keep us posted. Perplex.
Hi everyone!
To use SDelete with multiple passes in succession (for example 5) on drive C:, you must type the following command:
sdelete _ -p _ 5 _ -z _ c:
where the " _ " sign corresponds to a space
Philem
To use SDelete with multiple passes in succession (for example 5) on drive C:, you must type the following command:
sdelete _ -p _ 5 _ -z _ c:
where the " _ " sign corresponds to a space
Philem
Hi everyone...
I did try SDelete to clean my computer, and I want to redo the operation a second time.
The first time everything went well, the correct syntax was used and the cleaning was done in about 10 minutes.
Problem now: when I want to clean it again, once I’ve typed sdelete -z -c:, the response is:
Arguments must be a drive letter e.g. d:
But my directory is on C: ...
Any idea???
I did try SDelete to clean my computer, and I want to redo the operation a second time.
The first time everything went well, the correct syntax was used and the cleaning was done in about 10 minutes.
Problem now: when I want to clean it again, once I’ve typed sdelete -z -c:, the response is:
Arguments must be a drive letter e.g. d:
But my directory is on C: ...
Any idea???
Forget my question...
It's very silly and I hadn't thought of it... When typing sdelete, there is MS-DOS syntax and there we realize that the program launches with sdelete -z -c (without the ':'). But I don't know why on the first pass the program recognized the : (sdelete -z -c:)
Anyway... It works and I hope it helps someone.
But don't forget the -z!!!!!!!!!
See you later
It's very silly and I hadn't thought of it... When typing sdelete, there is MS-DOS syntax and there we realize that the program launches with sdelete -z -c (without the ':'). But I don't know why on the first pass the program recognized the : (sdelete -z -c:)
Anyway... It works and I hope it helps someone.
But don't forget the -z!!!!!!!!!
See you later
Hello everyone, my problem with sdelete is that nothing happens when I drag "sdelete.exe" to the command line. I open CMD, then I open the zipper file, I left-click on sdelete.exe, I drop it into the command line, but nothing—no window opens, nothing. Please help, thank you.
Hello, when I download sdelete and unzip it, I can’t launch it by clicking the sdelete.exe icon, so I’m following your procedure by dragging this icon into the command prompt but nothing happens!
does this come from the fact that I have Windows Vista?
I remember the first time I clicked on the sdelete.exe icon a page (the same as when we are in the command prompt) opened, but lacking any information during that attempt I preferred to abandon my operation for fear of making a mistake. Now when I double-click the same icon the same window opens but only for half a second as if something forces it to close immediately.
Also could you correctly tell me where to note the "-z" as well as everything else! if this should be done when the window opens without even having to select the location with the mouse? or at a specific place anyway! because even if at the moment I can’t see all of this I’d like to be informed in advance for my future operations. thank you because I would be very frustrated to lose all my data!
Last question, does sdelete erase all files in the recycle bin and does not touch any files on my computer?
thank you all in advance for your responses!
does this come from the fact that I have Windows Vista?
I remember the first time I clicked on the sdelete.exe icon a page (the same as when we are in the command prompt) opened, but lacking any information during that attempt I preferred to abandon my operation for fear of making a mistake. Now when I double-click the same icon the same window opens but only for half a second as if something forces it to close immediately.
Also could you correctly tell me where to note the "-z" as well as everything else! if this should be done when the window opens without even having to select the location with the mouse? or at a specific place anyway! because even if at the moment I can’t see all of this I’d like to be informed in advance for my future operations. thank you because I would be very frustrated to lose all my data!
Last question, does sdelete erase all files in the recycle bin and does not touch any files on my computer?
thank you all in advance for your responses!
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Ah, here is a good explanation! The maneuver to perform was simple, but... it would have helped if I knew it to begin with so that I could do it!
Okay for the ENIGMA, which was, I believe, a machine for coding German messages during the last war; I have in memory the image of a sort of typing machine like a "gas plant" factory!
In reality, I am mainly looking to inform my grandchildren about "SDelete," about which they asked me various questions to which I was quite unable to answer! And besides, I am naturally curious!
I had indeed performed, on various occasions, the maneuvers that displayed the DOS commands, the "command line," but without success, with the answer I already indicated to you: "... is not a command..."; I think my failure was due to the omission of SPACES, but I am not sure.
Do you know if it is possible, once SDelete has been used, to verify its work? In other words: to know if there are still traces? Maybe there are programs for that?
In any case, I thank you sincerely.
If you are still available, it is possible in the future that I ask you for other information, but perhaps we could correspond directly to avoid cluttering the forum?
Looking forward to reading you, and... many thanks again!
Everything seems clearer to me now. Thanks again and enjoy the forum.
madambug