Have a computer that has some info on it that I do not want any one to come accross in the future How can I completely earase the hard drive so that it can not be retrieved. Personal files and info of deceased relative. Computer is Compaq running Win XP. do not have recovery disk for computer Please help.
2007-05-21 03:45:10 · 9 answers · asked by squekie0874 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
You need to perform a low-level format. I would suggest buying or borrowing Partition Magic and using it to do this. In fact, I believe PM has a feature where you can wipe the drive by formatting each block multiple times to ensure all the data gets erased.
Personally, I don't keep any sensitive info on my hard drive...all files of that nature I keep on removable media like CDs and DVDs. They are much easier to destroy and it lessens the chance of someone accessing them via the 'net.
2007-05-21 03:52:00 · answer #1 · answered by Dr_M_VanNostrand 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You can definitely erase the data. I'd recommend a low-level utility available for free from all major hard drive manufacturers and computer manufacturers.
Been using the Gateway low level utility for years now and it cleans a hard-drive back to factory (like it was coming out of the factory with no formatting). Just low-level several times to ensure you've sufficiently destroyed the data on the HD.
http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/getFile.asp?id=20507&dscr=GWSCAN%205.11&uid=160132354
This utility can ruin a hard-drive if you are not careful. Create a boot disk or a cd-boot from the exec. Set the bios to boot from either the floppy or CD, whichever type of disks you have.
Once inside the gwscan program, select "Write Zeros to Drive" which is about the 3rd utility from the bottom of the list, type in all the correct responses to low-level and you're off. Do not have to verify the drive. (Please read the documentation that comes with the utility carefully).
Do this multiple times and you will have a drive with data sufficiently destroyed.
With your Compaq, be sure to contact Compaq before the low-level and tell them you need all the disks to restore your computer from a low-level format. You'll have to pay shipping for the discs, usually at least 3 to 7 discs (maybe 25 bucks). Then you can be sure to reinstall XP back to the default Compaq setup.
2007-05-21 05:08:20 · answer #2 · answered by gil.baca 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As some others have suggested, physically destroying the hard drive is an option, and sometimes the simplest approach. However, if you want the computer to remain functional, then its time to look at tools that will allow you to securely delete every bit of data from the hard drive, including whichever version of Windows you have installed.
Most the tools you will find, are tools that install and run from Windows which allow you to securely delete on the fly. In this case, and wanting to wipe out everything, I recommend Darik's Boot and Nuke CD which is completely FREE. You will need a computer with a CD burner, and CD burning software so that you can make a CD from an ISO file aka image. Most cd burning software has an option to burn a disc from an image so don't fret over that too much. Once you've made the CD you just boot the computer up with it, follow the instructions, and several hours later your hard drive will be completely wiped out.
I will include two links. One to the Darik's Boot and Nuke website on sourceforge. Another directly to the ISO so you can download it and burn it with the cd burning software of your choice. Have fun, but make sure to back up anything you want to save, because there will be NOTHING left afterwards.
2007-05-21 03:58:12 · answer #3 · answered by justaguyok 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The easiest way is to take out the hard drive and smash it with a hammer.
Formating will not erase the data, it can still be read relatively easily.
Interestingly writing the entire disk with 1s or 0s will not totally erase the drive. If someone REALLY wants to get the old data off it they can. If you really want to keep the drive and remove all traces of the old data then you need to write it all with 0s then all with 1s, preferably a couple of times. However, the only people who worry about that sort of thing are top secret government projects, etc. where someone might put a lot of time, effort andexpensive equipment into recovering the data.
2007-05-21 04:49:41 · answer #4 · answered by Simon T 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Format won't do it. If you know that manufacturer of the hard drive (Seagate, Hitachi, Western Digital, for example), their website should have a utlilty to write "0"s to the hard drive. This will wipe it for sure.
If you want to format the drive after that, then the data cannot be retreived and you can use that drive again.
2007-05-21 03:52:02 · answer #5 · answered by waltzme2heaven 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First add another hard drive and then removw the old one and throw it in the bathroom. No chance for recovery.
2007-05-21 05:17:04 · answer #6 · answered by lazymail2007 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Evidence Eliminator is the best out there. It complies too with the governments erasing specs.
What are you going to do with the drive? Trash it? Please dont. Could I have it after you rid the data?
message me if i can.
thanks.
2007-05-24 10:39:05 · answer #7 · answered by Seneca P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Right Click ur drive which u have stored ur personal datas and click format to completely remove the five, after u formatted ur drive files ll b deleted completely..............
2007-05-21 03:54:32 · answer #8 · answered by meetnaseer 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
get a magnetto and move close to your hard drive it will erase all info.
2007-05-21 03:48:37 · answer #9 · answered by steven25t 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋