From TNPC issue #4.08...

Norton Utilities 2001 (WipeInfo, Image): Part 3

by Lee Hudspeth
April 19, 2001

Before I discuss WipeInfo and File Compare in Norton Utilities ("NU"), kudos to eagle-eyed TNPCer Scott F. who wants to remind you that many of Norton Utilities 2001 tools are *not* available for Windows 2000. Refer to the small 120-page booklet that comes in NU's box to see which tools are compatible with which operating systems.

WipeInfo and File Compare work with Windows 95, 98, and Me.

I use WipeInfo to sanitize my drives, and recommend it. It clears any unused space on your hard drive by writing zeros (or any value between 0 and 255) to the unused space, thereby removing any trace of files or folders that you previously erased. You can choose to wipe files, folders, or free space. When wiping files, you browse for files and add them to a list (you can select only one file or multi-select several files); before proceeding you can edit the list. Next you choose between the "Fast Wipe" and "Government Wipe" modes. The latter conforms to a rigorous data sanitization procedure defined in a Department of Defense's document known affectionately as DoD 5220.22-M "National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual" (NISPOM). I'm not kidding.
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/408/tr.cgi?lee1

WipeInfo allows you to make some changes to Government Wipe's settings. One parameter is how many times to repeat writing all ones then all zeros (default is 3). Another parameter is writing the "final" value (default is a random value, or a value you choose between 0 and 255). A third parameter is one that you can't change, that is to do a final verification of the last write. Then you choose how many times to run the delete operation you have selected (default is 1). The files, and any free space associated with them, will be wiped accordingly. During the wipe operation, a progress meter is displayed.

When wiping folders you must do so one "parent" folder at a time. Once you've chosen a parent folder to wipe you can also choose to wipe--or not--all its subfolders. Note: when WipeInfo wipes a folder it wipes all the files in the folder and then deletes the folder.

To wipe free space, first shut down any other applications. If you want to wipe any files that are still in your Recycle Bin, empty it. Then start WipeInfo, select "Free space" in the Wizard, click Next, select a drive, then make the Fast vs. Government Wipe choice and you're good to go. WipeInfo warns you, "We recommend shutting down all other applications. You will not be able to recover erased files except for those in the Recycle Bin. Are you sure you want to do this?" Click Yes to proceed.

On a PIII/450 it took WipeInfo 16 minutes 9 seconds to wipe a 2.95 GB primary partition with 189 MB of free space; I set WipeInfo to use Government Wipe, all defaults, and to perform one pass. Your mileage may vary.

Warning! As with any power tool, exercise extreme caution when using WipeInfo. This tool sanitizes without mercy: anything you wipe will be unrecoverable. Okay, if you've got an FBI-quality PC forensics lab at your disposal you *might* get some data back after a Fast Wipe operation, but even those technicians won't get it back from a Government Wipe operation. So be careful. (Windows Me users take note: WipeInfo can't touch the special copy of a file if Me's built-in System Restore feature considers it a "protected file type," for example Word and Excel files. Even if the original file is wiped, the System Restore copy survives. This assumes you have this Me feature activated.)

The Image tool stuffs critical disk information into a single, small, read-only file (IMAGE.DAT) that various NU tools can then use for recovery operations. The information packed into IMAGE.DAT includes the boot record, file allocation tables (FAT), and root directory data. Norton's UnErase tool can use this information to help restore erased files and folders. System Doctor also uses Image and can be set to automatically and regularly run it. I don't use System Doctor (more about this tool in a future issue), so there's one reason for me not to use Image. Although it is conceivable that UnErase (more about this tool in a future issue) might offer me a few more files and folders to recover if some critical data was accidentally deleted, it's a long shot and not compelling. My ongoing work practices and backup procedures work reliably for me, and since I have multiple safety nets I don't need another one so I have little use for Image. You may have a different approach and opinion.

I have some additional information about NU for which there isn't room here. For example, a table showing each individual tool's name (19 in all), its category (find/fix problems, system maintenance, etc.), direct links to the TNPC article that reviewed each tool, and a Yes/No column for Windows 2000 compatibility.
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/lee/norton_p1/index.html

Amazon.com offers Norton Utilities 2001 5.0 for $39.99.
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/408/tr.cgi?lee2

You can reach Lee Hudspeth at:
mailto:leehudspeth@TheNakedPC.com

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