2006-12-20 09:38:26 · 8 answers · asked by Veronica B 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Yes, I believe only 27 passes are needed to be safe though.. Get windows washer or software like that... Or you can run a huge magnet across the drive..
2006-12-20 09:40:36 · answer #1 · answered by keith s 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it is not possible to "erase" all information from your computer. When you format your system, all you are telling your computer to do is to not read the header at each sector of the hard drive. That space becomes useable for storage and the computer can overwrite any information there. Now, if you want to remove information, what you will need to do is called a wipe. You can download freeware versions or purchase them but they all work the same. What it will do is write 0's and 1's onto each sector of the hard drive. The more passes you do, the less recoverable the data on the drive becomes. The US government standardizes on 3 passes, each taking a large amount on time depending on the size of the hard drive.
2006-12-20 09:43:03 · answer #2 · answered by goldenfir 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only way to erase absolutely everything is to reformat the hard drive, which involves reloading your operating system; not something to undertake by the feint hearted! If it's only the free space you want to clear; that is to remove all trace of deleted files, there are proprietory programs, such as Evidence Eliminator. Find them at www.evidenceliminator.com . These programs "shred" all the deleted data and scatter it to the four corners of your hard drive! They also delete all record or where you've been with the computer and what you've done.
2006-12-20 10:03:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes and no.
You an completely erase the hard disk, but it will still have some information on it such as the disk type and specifications.
You can pull the CMOS ROM and erase that also, but it too will still have 'stuff' on it.
So, yes, you can erase all personal information from a computer, but not 'all' information, without removing the hard disk(s) and cmos rom.
jeff
2006-12-20 09:42:42 · answer #4 · answered by snorkelface1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes and no. Yes you can delete everything, but a skilled programmer can get into the hard drive and extract all the information you thought had been removed.
The only way to be certain that no information can be extracted is to hit the hard drive with a hammer.
Merry, merry.
2006-12-20 09:41:53 · answer #5 · answered by D N 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
2006-12-20 09:44:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, very simply, by removing and destroying the hard drive
2006-12-20 09:48:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE. RUB A STRONG MAGNET ALL OVER THE COMPUTER, IT WILL NOT EVEN BE USABLE. MAGNETS RUIN IT.
2006-12-20 09:43:58 · answer #8 · answered by jayndee13 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋