I know that you can reformat but that dont get all alot of stuff stays in the hard drive. I had 98% when I got this comp I reformated and I have 79%.
2007-05-31 03:38:02 · 7 answers · asked by keyblader2 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
If you format a drive, some sinister force can still recover files.
The only way to reliably destory data is use goverment algorithms and a high powered magnet.
2007-05-31 03:45:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
To completely erase a hard drive, it must be completely overwritten with random 1's and 0's at least seven times. There are utilities to do this. Simply reformatting will not do this. Reformatting only erases the file's header information, the file is still there, only the location of the start of the file is gone. With the proper utilities, the header can be restored and the file can be re-activated.
Also, operating system alone usually takes more than 2%. Depending on the size of the drive, it could take the 21% you are seeing.
2007-05-31 12:07:25 · answer #2 · answered by Paul K 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm assuming you want to re-use the hard drive after removing the info (otherwise, I concur with the drill + electromagnet option)
Two things have always worked for me:
1. A little freeware program called AutoClaive. It can write all-"1"s, or all-"0"s, or random pattern of "1"s and "0"s for up to 25 passes over the drive surface (which can take a long time, given the size of today's HDDs). Pretty secure...
2. Perform a low-level format. The manufacturer of your hard drive (e.g., Western Digital, Seagate, IBM) should have a free utility on their website that you can download.
2007-05-31 10:49:36 · answer #3 · answered by not gh3y 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Reformatting a hard drive removes 100% of the files from the drive. After a format there will be nothing left on the drive.
If you formatted and still have stuff on the drive, either you did not correctly format the drive (such as you have multiple partitions on the drive), or you reinstalled Windows and other stuff afterwards.
Can you post more info about your hard drive, it size, partitions, and exactly what you did to format it? Not enough info that figure out what "failed".
2007-05-31 10:44:26 · answer #4 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The file system (Windows) takes up some portions of that hard drive, as well as the master boot record. Depending on what file system you're using, it can take up space you'll never see.
If you're wanting to clean the HDD so no one can get your data after you've gotten rid of the computer, drill some holes in the platter, then run a heavy electromagnet over it, followed up by a good dose of yellow mustard in the servo mechanism. It's all for the greater good...Can't guarantee that this will get rid of 100%, but it's a good start...
2007-05-31 10:45:06 · answer #5 · answered by mindless_torment01 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To completely clean a hard drive you need something like Norton utilities this writes 0's to every bit on the drive then writes 1's For most purposes that is good enough. Partitioning the drive differrently and formatting is also another good way of destroying the data .
2007-05-31 10:50:00 · answer #6 · answered by Easy Peasy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dont't get the precentage but there is software out there to complete clean a hard drive but for the price of a new drive just get it install it on a pc if that's what you want to do and destroy the one you have.
If you just want to clean to do a clean install of windows then the windows format is good enought
2007-05-31 10:44:45 · answer #7 · answered by PC DOCTOR 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋