quick format vs regular format (HDs)

[VirtualLarry]

Yes, older DOS versions of FORMAT either didn't offer a "quick format" option, or they would refuse to do a quick-format, unless they detected a pre-existing filesystem on the drive. NT-based OSes don't have that limitation (I don't think). "Full" format does a read-verify of every sector in the filesystem, basically a surface-scan like SCANDISK does.

But neither one of them actually does a "write zeros" or wipes out the actual data that was in the sectors beforehand, so even a "full format" does nothing for security/privacy.

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
I stand corrected. There was a time when quick format did not work on previously unformatted disks. I was unaware that it had changed.

Actually, it still stands true in some cases. Most HDs are preformatted at the factory, especially refurbed OEM drives. I occasionally come across a brand spanking new HD that will require a full format when I install WinXP on it. This practice varies from brand to brand and from place of origin. Can't nail it down but I still come accross a drive that will refuse a quick format but only a full format will work, and there is nothing wrong with the drive. I'll see if I can find some more info on this.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: Amaroque

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
As for security, yes all a quick format and a full format really do are delete the file indexes. TO really kill the files you need to do multiple low level formats. Low Level formats, such as "Writing Zeros" IIRC fills the drive completely with 0's overriting all information, then it deletes all the zeros. Doing this multiple times should be sufficient for anything but Top Secret documents, in which case it would be better to just burn the drive and walk away.

-Kevin

It is considered a government wipe when you write all 0's, then all 1's, then finally all 0's again.

Fun page on DoD 5220.22-M, which uses 3-7 passes. I like these options:

m. Destroy - Disintegrate, incinerate, pulverize, shred, or melt.

n. Destruction required only if classified information is contained.


There's also the Gutmann method I've seen described, but it needs 35 passes. Very secure, but it takes a LONG time on big drives.

My own data wiping with Eraser is just two passes - one of pseudorandom data, and one of zeroes. That should be good enough for most data removal. Any important data I have saved anywhere though, small file at least, will get written over thoroughly, as 7, or even 35 passes over a few KB doesn't take long.

 

[Alex]

Originally posted by: Oyeve

Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
I stand corrected. There was a time when quick format did not work on previously unformatted disks. I was unaware that it had changed.

Actually, it still stands true in some cases. Most HDs are preformatted at the factory, especially refurbed OEM drives. I occasionally come across a brand spanking new HD that will require a full format when I install WinXP on it. This practice varies from brand to brand and from place of origin. Can't nail it down but I still come accross a drive that will refuse a quick format but only a full format will work, and there is nothing wrong with the drive. I'll see if I can find some more info on this.

interesting... i've never encountered a drive i couldn't quick format... not that i remember anyway!