I used these for business and dont want any info, passwords, Bank account info, customer contacts etc... Is there a way to wipe it all out quikly and easliy?
2006-11-09 04:44:04 · 17 answers · asked by The Buck 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
In the government we always pull the hard drives and then smash them up.
2006-11-09 04:48:02 · answer #1 · answered by Patrick B 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A simple format will not remove the files. When a computer formats it removes the file allocation table. To understnd this you need to know a little baout the physical drive. Your hard drive consists of platters and write heads (Usually 2 platters and 4 heads) Your data is written on one side of one platter (in 1's and 0's). On the other side of that same platter the FAT (File Allocation Table) is wirtten to identify exactly where the file si on the top. When you format it deletes only the FAT side of the platter, leaving the data on the data side. Some smart wiz person can extract those files easily. Using a special program to do a higher level format, will ensure your safety. You want a program that will write all 1's then all 0's on the drive. this way the FAT and the Data are both written over TWICE. A good format that will remove data takes about 4 hours.
2006-11-09 04:55:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Run a full format at least three times, then delete and recreate the partitions, and reinstall software that came with it.
Send it to me, I could always use another hard drive! Or give it to the salvation Army, good will, or church. Someone might love to have that computer!
There are programs that wipe the dick to the FBI standards, but that is all they do, format several times.
2006-11-09 04:47:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could use a program like KillDisk http://www.killdisk.com/ which effectively overwrites all of the information on a disk with random 0's and 1's destroying the data on the disk... The free version only makes one pass, the 29$ version makes multiple passes which achieves Dept of Defence level of security.
For the price go with the full version instead of the free version.
2006-11-09 05:01:39 · answer #4 · answered by Fremen 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I worked in IT at a hospital and we would take the hard drive out of old computers and put them in safe storage.. that way there was no chance of someone being bale to get the info. If you dont want to store the hard drive, then take a hammer to it and bash it to pieces!!!
2006-11-09 04:54:28 · answer #5 · answered by Kristin Pregnant with #4 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Take out the hardrive and rub a magnet over the outside of it.
It will destroy the data left on the hardrive and maybe even
damage the disks inside of it.
2006-11-09 04:56:15 · answer #6 · answered by Hex 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you're going to "throw it away", just take out the hard disk, unscrew the cover and disassemble the platters.
If you're giving it to someone, there are tools out there you an use to write 1's and 0's over all of your disk, hopefully deleting all the data.
2006-11-09 04:48:19 · answer #7 · answered by dm_gsxr 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just take out the hard drive(s) and smash them. Do NOT burn any of it, not only is that a huge waste it is very toxic and persistent in the environment. Recycle it or give it away.
2006-11-09 05:01:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can now buy a software that will erase your hard drive to totally blank. Highly recommended if you are going to leave behind a computer with sensitive or personal information on it...
2006-11-09 04:45:59 · answer #9 · answered by Clarkie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First method is formatting. There are two types of formatting
Quick format and complete format
I would suggest complete format as in quick format data is not erased physically.
If you think that your data is highly important then some softwares are available for erasing data. They make it impossible to retrieve the data.
2006-11-09 04:50:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anshul Mittal 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋