How do you completely format a hard disk?

Question

I'm trying to discard my old hard disk bgut the problem is that after formatting it someone told me that the data can still be traced. this is done by using the unformat feature. is it true?

Answer 1

Data from your disk if there is no physical dammage ,can be read some 11 last formats ago. So to not be able to read anything from it , you should have to overwrite disk with random data 12 t o13 times to be sure that no one will read anything, or to anihilate the disk, since even hard disk that were under some heat , like home fire , had left some data for recovery.

Answer 2

After it is formatted the old data is still recoverable by experts in this field. Most other people can't access the data.



The department of defense used to overright the complete disk 10 times with new information to de classify one.



The only thing reformatting does is test the drive, set up a new file catalog and mark any bad sectors that don't work good anymore.



If you write over the information enough times you can probably make it inexcessable to everyone. This is difficult to do or requires special software.



The best method is to open up the drive and completely destroy the platters inside the drive like someone else suggested.

Answer 3

well 1st off, if u format a hard drive, all prev data is erased. all software, no matter if the company is the best available or the lamest round, will say in their software that if u format the hard disk, all the information on the drive will be erased. also, theres no such thing as an unformat feature. its just a myth or lie to spook ya. i mean if u speak w/ bill gates, he will even agree w/ it, & go into more detail of why its impossible to retreive data thats been erased due to formattin a hard disk. now when it comes to completely formattin a hard drive, just simply follow the instructions. its not brain surgery. when it comes to figurin out how much space you wish to use 4 the 1st partition, thats up to you (& depends on the size of the hard drive).

Answer 4

to my knowledge, and i've formatted my own hard drives, when you format a disk, you get rid of all previous data: partition table, software, EVERYTHING. thus, your computer cannot be traced due to previously installed software. however, if you access the internet from the same ip address as before, you can be traced that way, and the spyware can get into your computer again.

there is no unformat feature

that's why you are asked if you want to format before you start

Answer 5

yes, because the format command only erase the partition table.

the actual data is still on the disk, until it gets owerwrited by some other data.

there are a lot of programs available that scrambles your disk with random data after formatting, so a recovery is not possible.

Answer 6

After it truly is formatted the old records continues to be recoverable by using experts in this field. maximum different human beings won't be able to get entry to the records. the branch of protection used to overright the total disk 10 cases with new coaching to de classify one. the purely aspect reformatting does is try thechronic, set up a sparkling document catalog and mark any undesirable sectors that do not artwork sturdy anymore. in case you write over the coaching sufficient cases you may likely make it inexcessable to each and every person. it truly is not easy to do or calls for particular application. the perfect technique is to open up thechronic and thoroughly ruin the platters interior thechronic like some different person stated.

Answer 7

Formatting is one way to get rid of data on the disk. I would use KILL DISK good way to go over the disk real good. Or if you really want to clean it good use a magnet... ONLY IF U DON'T WANT THE HARD DRIVE ANY MORE. The government uses KILL DISK and they a sweep many times...

Answer 8

Start your computer with bootable CD and issue command



Format C: where c: is your drive name....



Please note that all your data will be loss.



You can use also Hard Disk formatting software from Seagate and other hard disk manufacturers.... they have many other hard disk utilities.

Answer 9

Run a program like BC-Wipe before you do a low level format. This should rid the hard drive of previous data.

Answer 10

There is a software known as partition magic. Download that. You can format your full hard disk or part of it. You can also increase/decrease the partition size.

Answer 11

Find a bootable windows 95 cd. use it to format your hard drive. 95 uses a low level formating meaning everything is gone including partition tables

Answer 12

Yes, that is true. You can use a hard drive cleaner that uses several passes to wipe the drive clean. If you are concerned beyond that, the only way is to completely destroy the hard drive. Check the laws in your state before setting a bonfire though.



http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0.html?tg=dl-20&qt=hard%20drive%20eraser&tag=srch

Answer 13

no way ..once u have formatted everything is lost..if its due to saome error the HD is damaged then there are SW to retrive the dayas..but since the disk is formatted it will b hard to retrive the datas.

Answer 14

Yes. take the hard drive apart and use a blowtorch and melt the platters and other parts of the hard-drive. Remember you have melt it not just toss it into a regular fire

Answer 15

JUST BREAK THAT DARN THING!!! What do you got to hide anyway??

Answer 16

Yes. Physically destroy it... try fire.