Please provide more info.... We aren't mind readers....  

[glb]Flame[/glb]Delete emails... depends what program you're using. Internet history... various places. Do you want to clear it? Tools > Internet Options.e-trash? that's a very gerneral term. But one thing to keep in mind is that whatever you deleted on a computer, the information are not going away. Most people don't realize that.

Here is a BREAK down on different kinds of deletion:

1.) Deleting files on your computer: When you delete a file by HITTING the delete menu, all the computer program does is to cut off the header of the file that links to the file, but the actual data of your file is still there. (That's how the file recovevory programs works and how the FBI can trace down what criminals have on their computers.)  Unless you install a new program that write over your harddrive. But there are MILITARY grade software available-for security reason, to wipe out every single BIT of the data in a file, (meaning SETTING everything to 0s or 1s.)

2.) When it comes to email, it's even more complicated.
When you send an email for point A to point B, who knows how many hubs, routers and servers it has to go through. Each server en route will have a copy of your email, so even if you delete your email on your computer, there are many copies of your email in many different locations on different servers. And these emails can stay on the servers for years until someone on the server side decides to clean it up. (Again, that's how the FBI can collect information on criminal activities.)
On the internet, everything is tracable!

K.

I've heard of programs that can recover information after a format. Is/how is this possible?Hi Neil

Well, it takes a bit of understanding how file structure
works.

Generally, a computer file consistes of  two parts. one is the hearder, the header is where an application, such as MSWord, links to the file you want to retrieve. The other part is data--that's where your actual text etc.resides

When you format a hard drive, all the computer does is to delete the header part of all files but it dosen't delete the data part. When the hearder part of the file is deleted, the application you use will no longer be able to locate the file, but the actual data--your text is still there! Your actual data is there until you install a new program or save a new file that writes over it. It's a hit or miss scenario. And that's why when your HD crashs, it's not hopeless and that's how a data recovery programs work. The data recovery program retrieves your data and try to reconstructe the file.

A military grade deletion is a different story, what it does is actually write over the file with 0s and 1s at least three times to completely wipe out every bit of the of data in the file. That's what I call a clean up!  

K.
Thankyou for your response Kaplan, but I already knew that and it has not answered my question.I find the topic very interesting. Where would one get a program that would  let you recover files from a formatted disc? I'd like to try this on one of my old hard drives just for grins.
Thanks, kro. This claims to do the trick:
http://www.recovermyfiles.com/
I have not used it myself.
How would such a thing work?Here is a very good program as well and it's free.
it' called pci_filerecovery, you can do a search on cnet and download it.

If you think your HD is in bad shape, first thing to do is not to install any thing except may be the file recovery program. and don't try to save any more files. This way it increase you chance t recover as much data as possible. Of course, it will never be 100% recovery.

Kerazer will kill all hard drive files???but this will recover them>.http://www.active-undelete.com/  

most files that people believe that emptying the recycle bin is final##~not so they are held in the recycler bin folder which is hidden from the user~~as most files are...PC INSPECTOR File Recovery: http://www.pcinspector.de/file_recovery/UK/welcome.htmThere is even an undelete command in dos.