if i wanted to get EVERY THING off my computer all the files, history, and every thing, i could just format my hard drive and it would be all gone? nothing else holds memory right???
2007-05-31 16:43:17 · 8 answers · asked by andrew c 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Download killdisk, it's a program that will (0) out the drive and make it a new raw hard drive that will have to be reformated to be used, and will get rid of any thing that was on it and it will never be recovered. That is the only way to get every thing off of a drive so that no one can recover it. Kill disk is the same software the government uses to erase data from thier system before selling them to the public. The link is www.killdisk.com. and it's free to use. I am a rpair tech and I have been in business for over 16 years, and I use this software in my shop to zero out hard drives for customers who want to sell thier computer without giving away volitile info. This will kill the disk and once done nothing on it can be recovered at all, I have tried to recover data just to be sure, and it can't be recovered. Formating only erase data, and can be recovered so if you want ti gone dont format use Killdisk instead.
2007-05-31 16:53:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Basically correct.
Even though you format your HDD, there may be files that can be recovered by an expert. But, the more you use it after the format, the less chance of recovery.
RAM can only hold data when the computer is on.
BIOS only holds the CMOS information that allows the computer to turn on and run basically.
The CPU doesn't hold anything that is considered a program. It's basically an oversized calculator.
Floppies and CD/DVD drives only hold what you place on them.
2007-05-31 16:50:33 · answer #2 · answered by Corillan 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Format will supposedly erase all files, after which you will have to reinstall everything. Unless you copy files you want to save to an external storage device, they will be gone. However, an expert might be able to recover part or all of some files. There are programs which claim to permanently erase files, and of course when disk space is overwritten, the previous content will not be recoverable.
Follow this link to programs which claim to clean the HD.
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/collection/collid,1231-order,1-c,downloads/files.html
2007-05-31 16:51:51 · answer #3 · answered by TheHumbleOne 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Everything gone ... simply format the drive and reload it with your software.
RAM is volatile memory, simply meaning you turn the machine's power off ...ram clears.
Nothing else stores your files.
2007-05-31 16:51:40 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
flow with Arcaemous in this - outstanding concepts! you additionally could have the desire to make your workstation sparkling and kill any screensaver (this is pointless) as pictures use an incredible sort of components. Oh, and in case you opt to flow the RAM course, hook up with Belarc Adviser for a run-down of your gadget and suggestions approximately RAM.
2016-10-09 05:48:10 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even after files are deleted, data can still be recovered. There are free "eraser" programs that will do the job for you. See the below link for one of them, a free one.
2007-05-31 16:49:31 · answer #6 · answered by Jolly 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
u need to format it at least 5 to 6 times to completely erase the hard drive.
2007-05-31 16:46:50 · answer #7 · answered by Ganesh 5 · 1⤊ 4⤋
RAM does, but only until you turn the computer off.
2007-05-31 16:46:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋