someone messed up the computer and now it wont even start up. so what is a way to completely erase a hard drive that does not require it actually being in the computer...i have heard freezing it or using a magnet...just want to know which is best, or if there are any other better options..
2006-09-23 14:57:17 · 18 answers · asked by danceluvr84 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
Frezing wit will not erase it, and you probably do not own a magnet capable of erasing it, despite all teh magazine artricles.
The big question is do you want to re-use the disk? If not, go whack it with the biggest hammer you have a few times until it is junk. If you do want to re-use it in a computer, put in it a computer, boot up DOS, and format theard drive.
Any computer service technician would be happy to do it for you.
2006-09-23 15:04:02 · answer #1 · answered by Computer Guy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Assuming you're using Windows XP and this is not the primary drive (the one with the OS):
Open control panel
Open Administrative Tools
Open Computer Management
Click on Disk Mangement
You should see all the disks installed on the computer
Disk 0 is usually the primary OS disk.
The drive letters will show up there.
In the bottom right panel, you'll see each disk and it's format information.
Right click on the disk, choose Format.
This will completely wipe the disk.
BE CAREFUL. Once you format, it's gone!
http://www.aldama.net
2006-09-23 15:03:40 · answer #2 · answered by Daniel A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to properly format a hard drive you have to be in the computer ,,,duhh
forget magnets-.
If you want to COMPLETELY erase a hard drive to the point were it is IMPOSSIBLE to recover any data you have to make a low-level format on your hard drive, that is fill in your drive with "zeros"
too acomplish this you can use Seagate DiscWizard Tool
go to http://www.seagate.com/support/disc/drivers/discwiz.html
an choose from the left panel the option Bootable CD ISO Image
burn a CD with that image and reboot your computer with CD inserted ( make sure you are booting from CD drive within BIOS (by pressing del or F2) )
then make a low level format 3 times, ( one is safe , 3 times is safier)
if you really want to format it without being in the computer call someone , and let that person be in the computer lol
2006-09-23 15:04:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, clearly no one who answered you actually paid attention to what you said! Ha ha. Well, it is really tough if you can't get the machine to start up at all. I have had this happen once or twice, and the bad news is that I had to take the machine in to a repair shop to have someone fix it for me. I think only the computer technicians know how to get the hard drive formatted when the machine wont even start up.
Good luck!
2006-09-23 15:30:04 · answer #4 · answered by boggin828 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
buy a torq driver and open up the hard drive, take apart the head, take the plattens off of the motor spindle. It takes special equipment to reassemble a drive, it can be done, but there are very few places that can do this. Smashing the plattens with a hammer or using a powerful magnet on them will definitely render them useless.
2006-09-23 15:04:35 · answer #5 · answered by rocketman33 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remove hard drive and place in another computer as the "master"(disconnect the other hard drive).
use a bootable cd-r program from the drive manufacturers websit for setting up a new drive and write zeros completely over the drive,the more you do it the harder it is to recover any info from it.
REMOVE drive and replace previous one.
either reinstall a operating system or BURY IT IN ALASKA! LOL
Failing that you could always ask a scrap dealer to crush it for you!
2006-09-30 01:54:38 · answer #6 · answered by kevo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to MY COMPUTER, Right click on the icon representing your HD, which needs to be erased, FORMAT, choose to be "bootable", sometimes called "with Operating System", or NOT, then OK. I guess the last question on there would be "quick format" or whatever, then voila.
Or use the RECOVERY DISK come with your computer when you bought it. Just put that CD in, and say YES to everything. You've done.
Good luck,
2006-09-23 15:03:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can buy a h.d. eraser, which will totally erase your HD. the software costs about $15-$20 and is worth it. you will totally ruine your HD if you use a magnet, or freeze it, and it will not work when you need it. if your going to use the HD later or sell the computer get the software. but you may be able to download it from Download.com.
2006-09-23 15:08:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the computer won't start at all the problem is in the bios . If you want to wipe the drive do a clean install or reformat the drive
2006-09-23 15:01:27 · answer #9 · answered by likeitis 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
During reboot, press f10 or f8 I cant totally remember and click restore to factory settings or destructive restore. It will erase your hard drive back to factory, like when you first bought it.
If you want to destroy it.... smash it with a sledge hammer. You could use electro magnets but you need pretty strong ones.
2006-09-23 15:07:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋