2007-02-21 09:43:08 · 11 answers · asked by kurhog2004 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Yes,without any trace.
2007-02-21 09:45:23 · answer #1 · answered by Eshwar 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Answer is yes and no. Does it remove all of your files and data to the point where you can't access it?...YES.
If you reformatted by accident and wonder if you can get those files back in usable form, not easily.
Does it completely wipe the drive to the point where no one with special skills and software could reclaim some of those files?...NO
If you're donating or giving away the computer and are worried about someone getting at your old private files or info, remove the hard drive. They can pick up a replacement for about $50-80.
PS - to prevent accidental wipes and other registry problems and errors, BACK-UP your files weekly at least. I keep 2 hard drives in my computer, and back-up to the slave drive. Both have Windows XP on them, and if the primary gets corrupted somehow, I can just switch drives, (leave the primary unattached) run the restore back-up function on the secondary, and I'm back in business.
2007-02-21 09:54:07 · answer #2 · answered by Jack 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Formatting your hard drive does not completely wipe it. It is just like formatting a floppy disk. You can write over the formatted material, but until you do the info is still there and can be recovered. If you chose to do this, all you will have access to on your computer will be DOS.
2007-02-21 09:48:27 · answer #3 · answered by Rien 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No it doesnt! The data on the disk is just set to be overwritten! Someone who knows what they are doing can easily retrieve data!
2007-02-21 09:47:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Technically yes, is the information recoverable, yes that is if someone wants to utilize the different recovery utilities that are out there.
2007-02-21 09:46:54 · answer #5 · answered by 7S282 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not completely. It's there until you put more stuff on top of it. Even though it looks gone, it really isn't. I have no idea how to get it back, though.
2007-02-21 09:46:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If your wondering if the FBI can still find your data, YES.
2007-02-21 09:46:12 · answer #7 · answered by rodjared 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes but if u quick format it, the data can be recovered
2007-02-21 10:31:45 · answer #8 · answered by sidprak 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yeah
2007-02-21 09:46:00 · answer #9 · answered by Dfirefox 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i believe so...
2007-02-21 09:45:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋