DOD Wipe a hard drive, and... preserve the OS and expensive programs

Life has been hectic but finally getting around to writing a review on the White Canyon SystemSaver Software.



I have to tell ya, I really like this program and see it as a great tool, especially for those that may want to re-purpose a computer, and not go through a complete reinstall. I have made way more than my money back, on the units I used it on, and have since sold.

Let me give you an example. Had a machine come in that had all the Adobe Software. I asked permission to save the software and re-purpose the machine. They had no problem once I explained how SystemSaver works. Instead of getting maybe $75.00 for a machine, that has had the drive DOD wiped and then restored, I was able to make much more than that because it had Adobe CS3 on it. Not only is saving expensive software a benefit, but the time NOT spent doing updates, searching for drivers, etc is well worth the price.

I give the program an overall B+. There are a few things that could make it easier to use. When you execute the program, it opens a work area in the middle of the screen. Easy enough to scroll through and remove programs, prior to doing the wipe. But, it would be even easier, and IMHO more user friendly, if you could minimize, and maximize, the work area. A second minor inconvenience is, after it removes a program, toolbar, etc...it automatically goes back to the top of the list, requiring the need to scroll back through the entire list of programs. By default in Windows add/remove programs, it will go back to the next program, from where you executed the last removal.

So, in the end, I have saved the OS, MS Office Pro, Adobe products, drivers, misc other already installed programs, and LOTS of time, on a few machines, and made more as a result! MAXIMIZE!!!

More later. imma goin fishin!

Originally Posted by miked

Have you only used in an installed hard drive or can it be run on a hard drive that is connect thru a usb connection? Also does it have a limit on how many times it can be used or on how many computers it can be used on? Thanks for the review, Mike.

You have to be able to connect to the internet, and download the program, from the machine you are going to use it on.

Good question, Mike. That is another feature that could make it more versatile/usable. To be able to run it on a drive that is in a docking station. There have been times that I have pulled a drive, to run virus software, and being able to execute the SystemSaver while it was out, would be a plus!

You can purchase licenses and download as needed. I will let the rep, who is now a member here, address the cost per license.

I am NOW...GOING FISHIN! and may, or may not, be here later today! and, for the record...I have my own d*** travelin cooler ;-)

I am not sure about being able to get it on a CD and then have unlimited uses. The way it is set up for me is I purchase "X" amount of licenses, each one is usable on one machine. So, if I purchase 10, they are put in an account that I connect to and download to the machine I am redoing, leaving the balance in the account. They are allowing me to purchase and add as many, or as few, as needed. I will be adding 5-10 more this week for some HP Slate 500s that came in. Never knowing from week to week what may come in, and be worth re-purposing, this makes it for me very convenient and affordable, as I do not have to put out a huge amount of $$$ upfront.

Look at what the HP Slate 500 is going for on fleecebay. By being able to save the OS, MS Office Pro, and other usable programs, these will be sold on the higher end for a minimal invest!

Sent a copy of the original post to the rep last night. Told him there were a few questions from members. Hope to hear from him later today and will encourage him to log in and address all questions.

I had to bring this up since it hasn't been discussed on this thread yet.

In keeping this software on the computers for sale, you are essentially pirating software. If you aren't providing the original install disk, you are not the owner of that software, nor is the new owner. It is no different than having a copy of the installation disk, and installing it on people's computers for money. Also note that you do not have to be selling software for it to be piracy...it's still the same if no money exchanges hands.

Yes, I know that programs are installed on computers all of the time that we get; sometimes they are great pieces of software. In promoting these computers as having certain software installed, it may just be enough for a company to take notice. There are dedicated teams inside companies, and whole organizations that look for this sort of thing taking place.

I just want everyone to be safe and legal in what they do. The possible fines, legal trouble, and headaches this can cause are not worth it.

Great point, Ryan! Although, just like the OS, each machine has software that was installed and legally licensed on it. So, this is not duplicating, or re-installing software on a number of different machines, but preserving what has already been paid for, an legally installed on them. It is worth more investigation, but I am not sure that selling ANY machine, that has legally installed software on it, is piracy and requires removing what is already present. How many people lose OS, or program disks, after 4-5 years? Does that mean that all programs need to be removed before re-purposing a machine?

Many of the machines we get in, sit in a corner for a long time, before they come to us. I started asking for any, and all related disks, a long time ago. Many times I was told "that all got canned" when we shoved those in the store room! But, even when I get them, it is still such a headache to reinstall the OS, then reinstall the programs, do all the updates, etc...that I scrapped a lot of really good machines because I did not want to go to all the hassle. The folks I sell machines to are normally homeschooling, or people on a very tight income, and putting all that time in to make maybe 75-100 bucks, was just not worth it to me, when I could be out hauling scrap in the truck and trailer, and make much more.

There is another program I use, if I am just saving the OS, that will download all the popular freeware, browsers, utilities, etc all in one shot! And, IT... is freeware, or there is a paid version as well. This is not the place to get into that but would be glad to share it with anyone via a PM.

Originally Posted by miked

Have you only used in an installed hard drive or can it be run on a hard drive that is connect thru a usb connection? Also does it have a limit on how many times it can be used or on how many computers it can be used on? Thanks for the review, Mike.

Mike,

SystemSaver is a Windows-based program so you will have to boot into the hard drive's os in order to run it.

We have quantity pricing for SystemSaver. Please contact WhiteCanyon Software for more details.

Thanks!

~Paul

I understand that it seems like nothing is wrong with this, and I know it takes place all the time. It doesn't mean that it's legal. Every piece of software has a licensing agreement attached to it. For example, here is the one for Adobe Photoshop:

http://wwwimages.adobe.com/www.adobe...ms/pdf/CS6.pdf

Now, there can be varying opinions on what follows these licenses. But, what really matters is what the software company thinks. If they believe you are breaking the law, they will go after you. It doesn't matter if they will win or not; you will have a bunch of crap to deal with. I had an experience many years ago with this topic. I wasn't even distributing anything, nor had any pirated software in my possession. I was contacted by lawyers accusing me of contributory copyright infringement, and I did not have the time, resources, or desire to fight them.

You can keep doing what you are doing, and never have any problems. I just wanted everyone to keep this in mind. This subject is taken very seriously by software companies.

Originally Posted by ryanw

I understand that it seems like nothing is wrong with this, and I know it takes place all the time. It doesn't mean that it's legal. Every piece of software has a licensing agreement attached to it. For example, here is the one for Adobe Photoshop....

Ryan,

Thank you for your concern.

We are concerned about piracy, as well, since we are a software company.

The SystemSaver software does not violate any licensing agreements because it does not alter, change or add any licenses to the computer. We currently provide SystemSaver to 80% of the Pawn Shops in the US. The software and it's processes have been vetted by legal and the only exclusion is, if a software EULA requires you to remove the program prior to resale, then it must be removed. Hopefully, this answers your question.

Please post or PM any further questions.

Thanks!

Paul

retired technology teacher, 39yrs experience,


Been retired for 2 yrs, last experience was that Microsoft extended its license through some type of free program for computers that were used for education.
win 98, me, 2000, and possibly xp (not sure about that).

As Paul stated above if no licenses are altered or changed, should not be a problem or concern.
Someone paid for the program in the first place, so it should go with the computer when its sold, scrapped, etc.

Besides, in IN anyway the state universities offer software, microsoft OS, Adobe,etc for low $. Like 5$.

I have never used System Saver, but if was still in the classroom it sounds like something we'd be using everyday to restore donated systems and I will be tryin it for some old systems I have in storage.

Just my opinion,

Clarke