• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Easy format question ?????

J

jacobnero6918

Senior member
Anybody know how effective formatting is in eliminating all data on a hard drive ?????

Getting hard drive replaced and need to make sure the data is gone.


 
from what I understand it isn't too effective. Depends on who you are trying to keep the info from. I've heard that it is close to impossible to keep information from the government systems because they've got techniques to restore anything. The best that you can do is get the drive manufacturer's utilities and low level format the drive several times and then possibly put it in a high level magnetic field for a while. Machine shops have de-magnetizers that should do the trick.
 
get bcwipe (try download.com, or search google.com) and uninstall everything, then have bcwipe wipe your free space. Actually, have it wipe the files with credit info 7 times. Then use a manufacturer's zero-fill utility (low-level formats are not actually performed anymore). Thats if you're ultra-paranoid. If you just want to make it really difficult, a simple "format c: /u" from the dos prompt would suffice.
 
Unconditional format. Formats everything. If really want to destroy a disk take a hammer to it. Hard to read a shattered disk (its what the government does)!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top