How Can I Delete Lost Clusters In Windows Xp?

Files of the (name).chk <– file extension type, are temporary files that Windows uses once and then they are left to accumulate in higher and higher numbered names.

Most auto-cleaning software utililies like CleanUp! 4/.52. find and delete these Temp files.
You can follow up by manually browsing with DirSnoop and use Purge to remove reference to the files and folder after it's been deleted by CleanUp!

Don't have CleanUp! 4.52 ????

Get it here:
http://www.stevengould.org

You'll wonder what you ever did without it.
(you may enjoy the sound effects too.)

I downloaded and ran Cleanup!. Now in Directory Snoop it's hardly showing any files on my C: drive. Now it's only showing files created today. Before it had what looked like a complete directory structure. I guess that is a good thing? I don't see "file0000.chk" anymore (hardly anything showing up now). But still, when I run PC Inspector File Recovery it's showing tens of thousands of lost clusters. Still wanting to get rid of those. Maybe I should download another free utility that shows lost clusters and will allow me to delete them. Any ideas?

jkingqm I'm running a test overnight regarding "lost clusters" that you refer to. I've downloaded the exact free version PC Inspector File Recovery utility. I have the paid version of DirSnoop instead of your free version and I can't remember all the feature differences. But I think the free version will be OK for what you need. Of course I can find and recover a huge number (over 31,000) of lost clusters that are recoverable files, too. You will already have noticed that most of the "lost cluster" are very routine and indecipherable portions of the operating system or applications. However, many are media, document, and spreadsheet files. And that's what you're probably worried about. I'll check in with you tomorrow, since the test run is likely going to be several hours. Best Regards

Thanks Doug, No pending audit or anything like that so no great rush. I'm just wanting to clean things up since they mostly look like portions of spreadsheet and word document files. John

Hi John, I initiated the "Wipe Unused Clusters" function. I ran it for two days and got about 40% wiped. But with an additional 2+ days to complete the scan/wipe, I couldn't afford to keep the machine locked into that procedure. (DirSnoop is very unforgiving about other activities going on while it is working on the HD or specific files) I'm presently doing almost the opposite of what you are wanting to do. I'm recoverying lost data on a HD that died, then was formated by the owner/user who didn't realize that was a bad thing to do if data recovery was still an issue. So I'm locked into another 72 hours of data recovery. Fortunately, I can use the main hard drive for other purposes, like this post, even while data recovery on the 2nd HD is under way. (the data recovery utility only requires about 12% CPU usage on this machine.) I will complete the Wipe Unused Clusters function when the current work is complete, and report back to you. There should be "an answer". Others who I've consulted with remind me that unless an agency gets their hands on your machine, it is highly unlikely that any amount of effort - from Remote Access - could retrieve those lost cluster files. Still, I'm pursuing a solution and will report back……………… in time. Best Regards

Doug, Thanks for your help. I've run Norton System Works/Wipe Info/Wife Free Space but that didn't help. Let me know what you come up with. Thx, John

Doug, Was just wondering if you ever came up with anything? I downloaded and ran Piriform Recuva. After checking and fixing my C: drive, deleting the files, then wiping it too is showing recoverable files. I'm wondering how to get rid of those. Thanks, John

One way would be to backup your C: drive using Acronis or Ghost or Drive Image to an external HD or 2nd internal HD. Then run a program like Diskwipe to write ones and zeros to the entire drive multiple times.

Then partition the drive as needed and restore the backup.

Thank you Rich. Sounds like quite a fix. I was wondering if there is something simpler to do that I am overlooking. – John

Hi,
This is an interesting topic .

Once data has been written to a disc. it can usually be recovered, provided the required level of resources and incentive/motivations are available.
The accent here being on the level of resources /incentives/motivations required.

Having taken all the steps that have been recommended to you, you will have deterred all but the most persistent of folk, from gaining access to your data.

That is not to say that the resources available to the likes of the CIA or FSB, Mossad or those nice chaps in "6" or a number of other skilled and well financed organisations (given sufficient time and of course incentive) would be unequal to the task.

If you wanted to go further in protecting your "deleted data" some might say that an oxy-acetylene torch applied for a long time to the actual hard drive itself, followed by a 10lb lump hammer applied relentlessly to the remains, would be even more secure.
Further information available from here:

http://forums.whatthetech.com/Hard_Disk_Di…l&hl=Magnum

Regards
paws

Using Piriform Recuva I am able to recover some of the files. I'm wondering how to get rid of them. I've done everything I know how to do. This is on my PC that I now use.

May I ask why these "lost clusters" are a concern? You own the computer and I have to assume you have physical control of it as well. If so, the only time they should be of concern is if you are getting rid of the computer for some reason, then you can do as I suggested and use Diskwipe or equivalent to write 1s and 0s to the drive multiple times or physically destroy the drive. Anything you do now to cleanup the drive will have to be repeated over and over if you continue to use the computer.

Anything you do now to cleanup the drive will have to be repeated over and over if you continue to use the computer.

I'm going to be giving this computer away after Christmas when I get a new one so trying to do cleanup now. If I use Diskwipe wouldn't I have to reinstall the operating system and all of the applications I have on it? I've never tried cleaning a computer so I'm hoping there is something relatively simple to do to get rid of all these files I am able to recover.

The quickest, surest and safest way is as has been suggested. Make a complete backup (image backup), format and Diskwipe the drive (also check out Darik's Boot and Nuke program).

Yes, it will take a fair amount of work on your part and depending on your current setup, you may need to purchase an external USB drive to backup to and the backup software (Acronis or Ghost or use the free DriveImage XML). These purchases will be usable with your next computer so would be a good idea in any case.

An alternative is to buy a new hard drive for the computer you will be getting rid of then load XP there before you do get rid of it. You can then use the old drive from that computer as a second drive in the new one or mount it in an external enclosure and use it for backups.

Just my $.02 worth.