How do I completly wipe a hard drive?

Question

I am currently building a new computer, I have a 200gb hdd from my old computer I would like to use, i think it might of had some viruses and spyware, so I want to completly delete EVERYTHING from it, how would I do this?

Answer 1

Boot and Nuke, This is a highly dangerous app, it will wipe the hard drive slicker then a whistle, your hard drive manufacturer should have a floppy download that will allow you to zero your hard drive, this works just as well, USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Answer 2

By the way, do you have any data on the harddisk that you would still like to keep?

If you have, then you'll need to copy this data out before completely erasing it. If this is done, you can just format your hard disk.

Just get the WinXP installation CD insert into the CD-ROM drive and then ensure that your computer BIOS set the CD-ROM as your 1st boot device. If this isn't done, then you'll need to enter BIOS as your computer starts up and set it. Normally entering the BIOS is by pressing F12 key, or Ctrl + ALt+ Del or Esc or F1. Then you can find the general setup and ensure the bootable device order makes ur CD-ROM above your hard disk. Then save the setting and reboot

Once reboot, it will boot from the CD rom and it will prompt to Repair or Install a new WinXP. choose install new winXP and choose option to format the entire hard disk. Then you just continue the installation steps shown and you'll get a new computer. You can contact me if u still have problems.

Answer 3

First go to:
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000588.htm
No hard drive is every completely wiped.
When reloading Windows98 use fdisk /mbr and let the Windows Install Program reformat the hard drive before installation. It will come up as an option.
With later versions of windows it's automatic, but read the aabove document first.
The information below falls under overkill for your needs, but I thought I’d include it anyway. It will explane why you want to use fdisk to redo the master boot record however.
For a real extensive wipe.
But a DOD Wipe program rewrites the disk over several times with random 1's and 0's making any information unreadable.
DOD stands for Department Of Defense. All government computers containing any vital information use one of these programs to clean their drives before changing out drives or computers. Most large businesses with sensitive information do the same these days.
Clean Wipe
and
DOD Wipe
are two programs that will do it and both fit on a floppy disk. Or can be used from a CD on machine with BIOS Driven CD Drives if no floppy disk drive is available.
You might check http://www.tucows.com/ they should have a free DOD Wipe program that will do it for you.
Some viruses write themselves in the boot sector of the hard drive as well.
If this is of concern, use the fdisk function on a dos boot disk, or download one from http://www.bootdisk.com/
The correct syntax after booting up from the disk is FDISK /MBR this rewrites the master boot record of the hard drive. DOD wipe will do the rest.
Check the following before attempting fdisk;
http://www.computerhope.com/fdiskhlp.htm
I hope this helps…

Answer 4

Assuming you're conversing of doing so in abode windows, listed under are some notes: you won't be in a position to thoroughly wipe a tension you have booted the pc with (it is to assert you won't be in a position to wipe the stress that has abode windows living on it). while you're wiping a secondary no longer uncomplicated tension, basically open "My pc" genuine-click on the stress, and decide "format". in case you had to start sparkling with a sparkling replica of abode windows XP or 2000, frequently those CD's are setup to be bootable. if so, basically positioned the CD interior the stress and (assuming your boot order is CD first then no longer uncomplicated tension) the device will immediately launch the installer for the working device. between the applications of the installer is wiping the no longer uncomplicated tension. As for pre-geared up computers (like a Compaq, Dell, HP) frequently those computers incorporate a "restoration" CD. if so basically positioned the CD in and stick to the classes provided with it, it is going to restoration your pc to the state it grew to become into once you purchased it.

Answer 5

Do a complete format adn then do a second format and that will insure that mothing is left on the haed drive

Answer 6

while installing the os, it gives u the option of formatting the hdd. opt for complete format and not quick format.

Answer 7

Put in the windows disk and reboot.

Answer 8

Just simply format it (not quick format).

Answer 9

format

Answer 10

to clean everything as in everything you need third party sofware