Completely wipe and format a HD

[Osok]

So i have a computer that my friend wants wiped, he has the OS disc and everything for it what exactly do i have to do? Everything runs and works as should, and it boots up just fine.

 

[-Jv-]

You want to format your HD ?

if yes, boot up with the install disk and you will be able to completely format the disc, dunno the exact steps but i can look it up for you if you want

 

[Havegooda {A|R}]

As in delete EVERYTHING? No OS, no data, no pr0nz? Use D-BAN. That'll clear out your disk better than anything. There won't be anything except for a bunch of "01010101010101", no annoying file systems either.

Then format the drive with your Windows install disk and install Windows.

~Gooda~

 

[Gunning]

Is it a homemade PC or from a major computer company? Make sure you have all the MB drivers and stuff before you start.

 

[Omniblast]

Make sure you have your motherboard, drivers at the minimum before you format. I'm not sure if Windows XP Professional sp3 has all the drivers out there for most of the basic systems, but if you start with any service pack lower, you may not be able to connect online and get updates.

Ethernet drivers are important! Remember them!

Besides that, put in your boot disc (windows xp pro or whatever disc) and reboot, go to bios by pressing del, and then look for boot priority.
Make sure your CD or DVD drive is set to boot 1st. Save and exit.

When your comp restarts, it should ask to boot into windows xp disc, let it, and then you can format or delete the entire partition, create a new partition, and format your disc.

I'm not sure why, I always delete the partition, and repartition it, and then format it.

Also, make sure you don't have multiple drives hooked up, only the drive you want wiped. I think there was a conflict with installing windows on multi hard drive systems.

 

[Sexy Beast]

If you really want to remove all the info from a HD. I would recomend Thermite...4500 ?F of pure HD erasing power.

 

[Havegooda {A|R}]

Guys, formatting doesn't delete the data, it just tells the OS that there's free space where your old data was. True, it will do what he wants, but it won't be a "fresh start" like I think he's implying.

DBAN all the way, then format with your Windows disk.

Oh, and I've never used a driver CD for my motherboard, if that helps any. I've installed XP x64, Vista x64, Ubuntu x64 and DSL without any.

~Gooda~

 

[frap]

Guys, formatting doesn't delete the data, it just tells the OS that there's free space where your old data was. True, it will do what he wants, but it won't be a "fresh start" like I think he's implying.

DBAN all the way, then format with your Windows disk.

Oh, and I've never used a driver CD for my motherboard, if that helps any. I've installed XP x64, Vista x64, Ubuntu x64 and DSL without any.

~Gooda~

Yes it does formatting deletes everything. All you have to do is enter the CD and restart your computer. Once there click the option to delete all partions on your hard drive, and then it will delete everything. After that click on the option to install the OS on a new partion, and it will automatically make a partion with your max hard drive space. Programs like DBAN and other stuff, can sometimes harm your computer, and will make it so MS will not give you tech support if something happens, because it will have been the program that messed you up.

 

[subtle_turtle]

If you really want to remove all the info from a HD. I would recomend Thermite...4500 ?F of pure HD erasing power.

"Hmm, we can't seem to recover any data from this HD. Actually, to be honest, we're not 100% certain it ever WAS a HD. It could have just as easily always been a molten lump of melted goo...."

 

[Jubei]

A format just tells the OS that the partition is empty. If you get at it fast enough you can unformat a partition (with a utility) and get back the files (assuming that other files were not written over the space where the first files were).

A program like DBAN writes over the space with 1's and/or 0's (or some combination of those - not sure - never used dban but I have used similar utilities) so that even regular utilities can't get it back (the guys who fly black helicopters can open the drive and use their voodoo to get it back if you didn't do enough passes with the wipe - but that requires a lab, some moola and generally a keen interest in what you had on there - usually accompanied by a subpoena).

The few PC's I've found in dumpsters (not a hobby, but I did live in an apartment complex for a while - amazing what you'll find) I have been able to get a look at some or all of the information on a drive unless the drive itself was toast. I've resurrected a few good machines over the years and have acquired all the case screws I could ever need for the rest of time.

So, long story short... wipe it clean with dban before you let somebody have it.

 

[Havegooda {A|R}]

Yes it does formatting deletes everything. All you have to do is enter the CD and restart your computer. Once there click the option to delete all partions on your hard drive, and then it will delete everything. After that click on the option to install the OS on a new partion, and it will automatically make a partion with your max hard drive space. Programs like DBAN and other stuff, can sometimes harm your computer, and will make it so MS will not give you tech support if something happens, because it will have been the program that messed you up.

Of course MS isn't going to give you support! Christ, it DELETES everything. Hopefully the person running DBAN would know what it does, especially after the work that it takes to get it running.

Believe me, I know what a format does and doesn't do. It does NOT delete anything. It simply tells your computer (dumbing it down for you) that there's nothing there and it's cool to write on it. It doesn't change anything, it doesn't remove anything. DBAN is a seperate program that you put onto bootable media that you run before you access your boot drive. It deletes EVERYTHING by writing a series of 1, 0s, 1010 (and continuing), or any combination thereof multiple times, and possibly with many passes with each of those runs (user defined).

You think your formatted HDDs are completely wiped? Send me an old one (I'll even pay for shipping both ways), and I'll tell you what kind of porn you were looking at within an hour.

Please educate yourself a bit more before you come in here and make a fool of yourself.

~Gooda~

 

[frap]

..

 

[Havegooda {A|R}]

EDIT


I didn't flame you. You were giving out wrong information, and I corrected you. God forbid that happens...

And yes, I've recovered data from "formatted" drives before. It doesn't matter what the data was, but it may have been something as big as one of my parent's friends dissertations, or something as small as a "Girls Gone Wild' .avi.

Actually, it has. When I was making an ass of myself before I knew what I was doing, I got told that a lot. I learned, and now I don't do that anymore. Maybe you should do the same instead of sticking your head in the sand and thinking you know everything about a computer.

Yeesh, two people correct you and you freak out about it, calm down my young padawan. Your swearing does nothing to help your supposed "mature image" on the forums. I'd watch it next time.

~Gooda~

 

[Jubei]

Guys!

Same rules apply in the forums as they do on the servers.

 

[Havegooda {A|R}]

^ That's what I told him...

~Gooda~

 

[Artimus]

Moved to Tech help forum.


Let's keep our eGO's and sensitivity in check here fellas.

BTW... THIS was funny:

...(the guys who fly black helicopters can open the drive and use their voodoo to get it back if you didn't do enough passes with the wipe - but that requires a lab, some moola and generally a keen interest in what you had on there - usually accompanied by a subpoena)....

 

[Havegooda {A|R}]

^ Lol, I laughed at that. Reminded me of the 4chan party van.

~Gooda~

 

[frap]

EDIT


I didn't flame you. You were giving out wrong information, and I corrected you. God forbid that happens...

And yes, I've recovered data from "formatted" drives before. It doesn't matter what the data was, but it may have been something as big as one of my parent's friends dissertations, or something as small as a "Girls Gone Wild' .avi.

Actually, it has. When I was making an ass of myself before I knew what I was doing, I got told that a lot. I learned, and now I don't do that anymore. Maybe you should do the same instead of sticking your head in the sand and thinking you know everything about a computer.

Yeesh, two people correct you and you freak out about it, calm down my young padawan. Your swearing does nothing to help your supposed "mature image" on the forums. I'd watch it next time.

~Gooda~

Sorry but I was not the one that freaked out as much. I expected everyone in this clan to treat everyone with respect, e, eG, and eGO. Your post did not show any respect to me. Now, I will never disrespect someone unless they do the same to me. So, you disrespected me and I will do the same to you. I got on to look at this thread today, and did not expect for an eGO to reply to my post and say the stuff that you did. Also I never said that I knew everything about a computer..I just thought that that was the case, and so I posted what I thought I knew. Telling someone a little bit of information is not saying that I think I know everything about a computer. Maybe you took my post the wrong way, but I was just trying to give some information. But, I know for one, I did not take your post in the wrong way. As the majority of the post was directed TO ME. Some of the other information is useful for other members. I learned something that I did not, and thanks for correcting me. But I don't think you used any respect when you corrected my statement. There were nicer ways to correct me. AKA Saying "Frap that is not right. It actually doesnt delete anything on your hard drive. To completely remove everything use DBAN" Instead you told me that you could recover porn I was looking at, used some words that were directed TO ME, in a negative way, and so on. The only reason I replied like I did is so I could defend myself. There will not be 1 instance where I do not defend myself. Now, if more =(eGO)='s did the same thing, and showed disrespect toward =(e)='s then I may have to rethink my other options than being in this clan. I am pretty sure when I say this, that if I was a council member or an =(eGO)= that you would have treated me with more respect.

Frap

 

[Havegooda {A|R}]

First off, I wasn't trying to be disrespectful. You took it as such.

Second, when I mentioned porn, it was the best example I could think of, as most people "hide' it rather well and it's one of the first things they "delete" all traces of before they sell a drive. I don't know what porn (if any) you look at, and I don't care. It was merely an example.

Third, if you're only going to respect those who respect you, you're in for a shock when you get into the real world. Your bosses/co-workers may never respect you, and you'll still have to kiss ass and respect them just to keep your job, get used to it early.

Fourth, I did tell you (technically, I told everyone else, but you read it/quoted it, therefore I told you) that formatting didn't delete data. You proceeded to try and wow everyone with your expertise:

Guys, formatting doesn't delete the data, it just tells the OS that there's free space where your old data was. True, it will do what he wants, but it won't be a "fresh start" like I think he's implying.

DBAN all the way, then format with your Windows disk.

Oh, and I've never used a driver CD for my motherboard, if that helps any. I've installed XP x64, Vista x64, Ubuntu x64 and DSL without any.

~Gooda~

Yes it does formatting deletes everything. All you have to do is enter the CD and restart your computer. Once there click the option to delete all partions on your hard drive, and then it will delete everything. After that click on the option to install the OS on a new partion, and it will automatically make a partion with your max hard drive space. Programs like DBAN and other stuff, can sometimes harm your computer, and will make it so MS will not give you tech support if something happens, because it will have been the program that messed you up.

Last, if I offended you, I apologize. I didn't mean to, but I guess your ego is easily bruised.

~Gooda~

 

[Gunning]

Also I never said that I knew everything about a computer..I just thought that that was the case, and so I posted what I thought I knew. Telling someone a little bit of information is not saying that I think I know everything about a computer.

As a technician, I can tell you that giving someone the wrong information can have devastating results. If you tell someone something with an air of authority, they are likely going to believe your advice. If they follow your advice, and it turns out you were wrong - imagine the consequences that could have. If you don't have the training and experience to be 100% certain of a recommendation you make, at least point out that you are making a best guess when posting.

I'm guilty of this myself. As a matter of fact, Havegooda corrected me on an issue in this same thread.

He wasn't trying to be disrespectful, just trying to make a point about being sure to post correct info. Instead of getting mad, why not ask him for a detailed explanation of what happens during a Windows format and learn something out of the deal?