best way to reformat drive?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mark
  • Start date Start date
M

mark

Looknig for help with reformating harddrive, I have tried using quickrestore
but it doesnt hard reformat, I did this once via compaq support, it took a
dos disk and delete and repartitioning, got any advice on those steps? or
another option or tool!

Mark thanks, anyone here want a G5 apple , i do!
 
mark said:
Looknig for help with reformating harddrive, I have tried using quickrestore
but it doesnt hard reformat, I did this once via compaq support, it took a
dos disk and delete and repartitioning, got any advice on those steps? or
another option or tool!

Mark thanks, anyone here want a G5 apple , i do!
Click to expand...

Lots of ways, but if you're looking for "data erasure" then reformatting
isn't the answer, otherwise you can use a Win2K or WinXP CD (or Linux if
that's your thing) and reinstall the OS (this typically gives you the option
of reformatting the drive). Each of these options also gives you the option
of partitioning.

For data erasure, use third party software like east-tec eraser.

Now some older computers don't boot from the CD drive, so that's where the
DOS floppy probably comes into play.

HTH!
 
gorf said:
Lots of ways, but if you're looking for "data erasure" then reformatting
isn't the answer, otherwise you can use a Win2K or WinXP CD (or Linux if
that's your thing) and reinstall the OS (this typically gives you the option
of reformatting the drive). Each of these options also gives you the option
of partitioning.

For data erasure, use third party software like east-tec eraser.

Now some older computers don't boot from the CD drive, so that's where the
DOS floppy probably comes into play.

HTH!
Click to expand...
If formatting to erase sensitive data then best to dismantle and use a
hammer on discs.
 
mark said:
Looknig for help with reformating harddrive, I have tried using quickrestore
but it doesnt hard reformat, I did this once via compaq support, it took a
dos disk and delete and repartitioning, got any advice on those steps? or
another option or tool!

Mark thanks, anyone here want a G5 apple , i do!
Click to expand...
FORMAT.EXE from a dos boot floppy, or is this a trick question?
ric
 
If formatting to erase sensitive data then best to dismantle and use a
hammer on discs.
Click to expand...

When was the last time you actually tried that procedure?! It'd be damn hard
work, I can assure you and by no means guaranteed to eliminate your data,
you'd be amazed what data recovery people can do for the right price. A far
better solution if you exclude software erasure, would be to wipe it with a
VERY strong magnet. That'd screw it up so much it'd be near impossible to
get ANYTHING off of it.

Steve
 
Go online to the hard drive manufacturer's website and download their
software for doing low level formatting. This will erase everything
including HD images. Your hard drive will be just like it came from the
factory before any data was stored on it (except for age of course). Most
of these software packages also will check your HD for bad sectors,
clusters, etc.

Happy hunting :)
 
Stephen Austin said:
When was the last time you actually tried that procedure?! It'd be damn hard
work, I can assure you and by no means guaranteed to eliminate your data,
you'd be amazed what data recovery people can do for the right price. A far
better solution if you exclude software erasure, would be to wipe it with a
VERY strong magnet. That'd screw it up so much it'd be near impossible to
get ANYTHING off of it.
Click to expand...

Get one of those devices that the hacker from "The Core" had... like a
handheld device (looked like a scanner) that projects a magnetic field.

The movie also showed him throwing CD's in the microwave, something I had
tried many years before because it looks cool, but I'm sure that kills CD's
as well (and the microwave? who knows).

Anyway, it's easy enough to go to downloads.com and get a shareware software
eraser... here at work I just hold onto the drives. :)
 
you'd be amazed what data recovery people can do for the right price.
Click to expand...

_________________________________________________________

A couple of hours on the BBQ should take care of it.
 
gorf said:
with

Get one of those devices that the hacker from "The Core" had... like a
handheld device (looked like a scanner) that projects a magnetic field.

The movie also showed him throwing CD's in the microwave, something I had
tried many years before because it looks cool, but I'm sure that kills CD's
as well (and the microwave? who knows).

Anyway, it's easy enough to go to downloads.com and get a shareware software
eraser... here at work I just hold onto the drives. :)
Click to expand...
Ususally, a thorough defrag session will erase data quite effectively, but
it depends on the current % usage of partition and also on file fragment
positioning. Repetitive sessions of defragging can help some more, but will
lose effectivity as file structure becomes unfragmented and ordered /
sorted. What one can do is either play around with defrag settings (first
defrag free space, then defrag files only, then a full defrag) and
preferences (file oreder / sorting), and defrage again with the altered
settings, OR, delete the data (to be rid of), create some bogus data files
(make copy of numerous large files like ~1-5MB large, defrage, delete bogus
data files, defrag again. Moving data from one place to the other
effectively masks whatever data was previously on that location where 1)
data ends up eventually 2) data is stored temorally during defrag.
This is in case partition has valueable data mixed with data that needs to
be rid of. Incase of total erasure of partition (or disk), there is a choice
of low-level format or repartitioning + new format. For extra carefullness
all steps can be taken (delete data, add bogus data, defrag, delete bogus
data, defrag, erase partition(s), repartition, format, add bogus data to
fill drive, delete data). You will end up with a drive that the only date
recoveralbe is whatever you decide to put on (200 copies of win95 OSR2 help
files... for example) be creative !
Erasing using a magnet field is most effective when putting the magnetic
medium inbetween a sandwich of 2 magnetic polars, such are quick audio/ dat
tapes erasers. I've used one to erase magnetic audio tapes (cassettes) in a
sensitive position (we would cycle all tapes after 2 weeks of backup hold
time). first pass would leave a residual level of magnetic signal, about 80%
attenuation in usable info (analog audio recording), 2 passes were more
silent, but our primary concern was resue of tape in a way the old recording
would not interfere with the newer. Still this is not as a blank tape, which
is unmagnetised, you end up with a single orientation of matenetism, which
essentially transforms to no data, but is not 100% silent when played. Using
a large magnet emmited magnet field is much less effective, as it spreads
geometrically with inverse proportion to R^3. the field between to magnets,
oriented N-to-S, is virtually all parallel for large enough plains. And the
intensity is both higher and constant - this is important for "silence".
Digital data could be more sensitive to magnetic interference, but also more
easily recovered if enough information is retained.
Maybe the easiest way is to ghost-mirror anything innocent on that drive
with deleted data to the full capacity. any data write should be much
stronger than residual field of a previously used bit on the drive.
 
Back
Top