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Any way to erase backup files or free space on WHS? RRS feed

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    I am going to return my HP Media Server with WHS software and have sensitive information in the backup files. I know that I cannot use Eraser or similar program to overwrite the files and that I can use the Clean up function to "delete" the backups; however, I presume that "delete" does not really mean delete the information, just the file table entry. To securely wipe the data one must overwrite the file (or free space) after deleting the file.

    Does anyone know if Eraser or another file wiper will work with WHS? Or does WHS actually wipe the disk (I have found no referrence that it does so). I am not talking about shared files here, but the automatic client computer backup files.

    Thanks
    Friday, June 19, 2009 4:30 AM

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    I am going to return my HP Media Server with WHS software and have sensitive information in the backup files. I know that I cannot use Eraser or similar program

    Sure you can.  It would require you logging into the server desktop (which is unsupported) to do it, but since you're taking it back anyway, I wouldn't worry about it. :)  The only thing you will need to be aware of is you will want to use the file destruction program on the actual backup database (not the tombstones).  The actual backup database should be in C:\fs\x\folders\{00008086-058D-4C89-AB57-A7F909A47AB4} (where X is a random number/letter).
    to overwrite the files and that I can use the Clean up function to "delete" the backups; however, I presume that "delete" does not really mean delete the information, just the file table entry.

    Correct.

    To securely wipe the data one must overwrite the file (or free space) after deleting the file.

    Does anyone know if Eraser or another file wiper will work with WHS? Or does WHS actually wipe the disk (I have found no referrence that it does so). I am not talking about shared files here, but the automatic client computer backup files.

    Thanks
    No, it does not wipe the disk.  However, the backup database is a MS proprietary format (meaning only WHS can read the data in it) and the files are stored in 4 GB chunks, so it's not possible to just "pull the hard drive" and recover data from it directly anyway.
    • Proposed as answer by kariya21Moderator Friday, June 19, 2009 4:38 AM
    • Marked as answer by wanabe Friday, June 19, 2009 2:39 PM
    Friday, June 19, 2009 4:38 AM
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    This option is available on all versions of Windows XP or Vista. Maybe you have removed the shortcut or overlooked it. (The Communication was in brackets, because it depends from the version of Windows and the RDP client, if it is in that subfolder or directly under Accessories.)

    You can also try to click Start/Run, type mstsc and click OK.

    Best greetings from Germany
    Olaf
    • Marked as answer by wanabe Saturday, June 20, 2009 6:30 PM
    • Unmarked as answer by wanabe Saturday, June 20, 2009 6:34 PM
    • Marked as answer by wanabe Saturday, June 20, 2009 6:34 PM
    Saturday, June 20, 2009 6:11 PM
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    I am going to return my HP Media Server with WHS software and have sensitive information in the backup files. I know that I cannot use Eraser or similar program

    Sure you can.  It would require you logging into the server desktop (which is unsupported) to do it, but since you're taking it back anyway, I wouldn't worry about it. :)  The only thing you will need to be aware of is you will want to use the file destruction program on the actual backup database (not the tombstones).  The actual backup database should be in C:\fs\x\folders\{00008086-058D-4C89-AB57-A7F909A47AB4} (where X is a random number/letter).
    to overwrite the files and that I can use the Clean up function to "delete" the backups; however, I presume that "delete" does not really mean delete the information, just the file table entry.

    Correct.

    To securely wipe the data one must overwrite the file (or free space) after deleting the file.

    Does anyone know if Eraser or another file wiper will work with WHS? Or does WHS actually wipe the disk (I have found no referrence that it does so). I am not talking about shared files here, but the automatic client computer backup files.

    Thanks
    No, it does not wipe the disk.  However, the backup database is a MS proprietary format (meaning only WHS can read the data in it) and the files are stored in 4 GB chunks, so it's not possible to just "pull the hard drive" and recover data from it directly anyway.
    • Proposed as answer by kariya21Moderator Friday, June 19, 2009 4:38 AM
    • Marked as answer by wanabe Friday, June 19, 2009 2:39 PM
    Friday, June 19, 2009 4:38 AM
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    Sure you can.  It would require you logging into the server desktop (which is unsupported) to do it, but since you're taking it back anyway, I wouldn't worry about it. :)  The only thing you will need to be aware of is you will want to use the file destruction program on the actual backup database (not the tombstones).  The actual backup database should be in C:\fs\x\folders\{00008086-058D-4C89-AB57-A7F909A47AB4} (where X is a random number/letter).

    Thanks kariya.

    How does one go about logging onto the server desktop? I have only been able to get to the shared files. And how will I know what X is?
    I presume I could also wipe all the free space in this directory as well?

    Friday, June 19, 2009 3:00 PM
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    Thanks kariya.

    How does one go about logging onto the server desktop?

    Use Remote Desktop Connection.  The user name is Administrator and the password is the password for your server.

    I have only been able to get to the shared files. And how will I know what X is?

    There will be a random letter/number (which I represented with X) for each secondary drive in your server.  So if you have a total of 2 hard drives, you have 1 secondary hard drive and therefore you should one drive listed in C:\fs as well (it could be G, H, 10, or anything else).

    I presume I could also wipe all the free space in this directory as well?


    If the app you are trying to use will do that, sure.
    Friday, June 19, 2009 6:00 PM
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    kariya,
    Please excuse my ignorance. I am trying to figure this all out but am really struggling. (Thus why I am returning this server). This server seems excellent for sharing media, but it certainly is not business class equipment. 

    By Remote Desktop Connection do you mean over my Remote Access Website?

    I find nothing in the WHS Consule or HP Control Center referring to Remote Desktop Connection. The Help file entry for this only discusses setting up Remote Desktop for the Client (User) pc.

    I have XP Media Edition, which is supposed to have the same functionality as Pro and have enables Remote Access. This seems to do nothing to access ther server. 

    In the server consule I have established Remote Access and set up a domain and my User account es enabled for Remote Access. However, I am not able to log on to the domain. I am even clicking on the link in the Remote Acess Settings page and nothing happens. I only get a blank page. Nothing asks for username or password. 

    Could you please be explicit in identifying the steps necessary to log on to the server desktop.

    Thank you very much for your help.
    Jack
    Saturday, June 20, 2009 3:22 AM
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    A Home Server is by design limited for business use and such usage is not supported, hence the word Home in the name.

    With Remote Desktop the Remote Desktop client on your PC is referred (usually in Start/All Programs/Accessories/<Communication> or similar located).
    You start this and connect to your server by entering it's name and as user account Administrator and the password of the console.

    No wonder you don't find this information in the official documentation, it's not an intended and supported method of accessing the server and who doesn't know about certain details of the WHS implementation, may well demolish the WHS functionality and his data stored on the server.

    Best greetings from Germany
    Olaf

    Saturday, June 20, 2009 9:35 AM
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    Perhaps XP Media Edition does not offer this option? I see no referrence to Remote Desktop in the list of options under the noted path (usually in Start/All Programs/Accessories/<Communication> or similar located). Only Network Wizards and HyperTerminal are listed there.

    The server is listed in My Network Places but only the Shared Folders are listed and accessible. I see no way to log on. Even if I remove the User Account for my client pc I can still the server and shared folders (presumably through the Guest Account).

    I hate to be so dense, but I am lost in finding this access point.

    Thank you all.
    Saturday, June 20, 2009 4:40 PM
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    This option is available on all versions of Windows XP or Vista. Maybe you have removed the shortcut or overlooked it. (The Communication was in brackets, because it depends from the version of Windows and the RDP client, if it is in that subfolder or directly under Accessories.)

    You can also try to click Start/Run, type mstsc and click OK.

    Best greetings from Germany
    Olaf
    • Marked as answer by wanabe Saturday, June 20, 2009 6:30 PM
    • Unmarked as answer by wanabe Saturday, June 20, 2009 6:34 PM
    • Marked as answer by wanabe Saturday, June 20, 2009 6:34 PM
    Saturday, June 20, 2009 6:11 PM
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    Ahah! Found it. Last item in list under Accessories. Thanks for the tip.

    Logged on to the server ok and found the backup files. On my way.

    Thanks Olaf & Kariya.

    P.S.  Finally a conclusion to this saga. For others interested in doing this--I erased all the backup and user files and free space on the server using Eraser. Interestingprocess. I was not able to use the version installed on the client pc nor copy the setup program from same to the server using the public or shared folders. I had to download a new version from the web using the server IE and I chose Run rather than save so that it installed directly from the download site. No problem installing or erasing. Takes at least three hours using the fastest method. Not bad.

    I then went to the help WHS file to learn how to uninstall the server and found very complete and easy instructions on how to do a factory restore. Simple process taking about one hour to reformat and reinstall software from the Recovery DVD, The most interesting point--the instructions explicitily state that the restore process does not erase the data on the hard drive and if you are selling or giving away the server it would be wise to use a special "shredder'' program to wipe the data off the hard drive. But no instructions on how to go about doing it. As we have found out in this thread, this is an "unsupported" process that only the "experts" know how to do. Thus the reason for these forums. So, instead of actully putting this information in the help file where I could find it in 5 minutes, I have spent roughly 20 hours, not counting the actual execution time, searching numerous directories, tabs, links, programs, help files, support sites knowledge bases and forums looking for the answer until finally kind knowing poeple like Kariya and Olaf step up to help out. Typical Microsoft!

    Thanks for the help and good luck to everyone else trying to figure out how to use these "simple" devices.
    Saturday, June 20, 2009 6:36 PM