does formatting and reloading really completely work???????????

[CleveYank]

I am deleting all files on a particular computer for a specific client so that he has no files from a company that he worked for.

If I delete, reformat and reload windows 98 SE for him, will it delete any and all traces of files on his pc or with help via a skilled tech and or software could the stuff be retrieved or even seen that it was ever there?

If not, then I need to tell this person to scrap the hard drive.

Does anyone know if reformat is COMPLETELY permanent?

 

[AndyHui]

You can do a full unconditional format that does not save unformat information using the command format c: /u, then run a defrag program to completely wipe the File Allocation Table.

That should stop just about all attempts at recovery.

 

[BOFH]

pgp -w is usefull for trully whiping things.

 

[junthin]

Reformat it, and then defrag. That should do the trick. 😀

 

[BlueScreenVW]

Possibly a stupid question, but how does the defrag wipe the file allocation table? I always thought that it resided in some "protected area"...

Or am I possibly thinking of the partition table now...? 😀

 

[AndyHui]

You are thinking of the partition table, I think.

 

[metallibloke]

I have to disagree about the fat table bit. The FAT only holds locations on the disk of where the files or file fragments are stored. If this is deleted, the files are still on the disk, and there is software available to retrieve the files and associated fragments