low level format??

rlemieux · 03-25-03, 08:37 PM

Is there any other way to know that a drive is completely cleared? I want to sale my HD but I don't want someone being able to pull CC numbers and such. Thanks.

Breadfan · 03-25-03, 08:45 PM

Hmmm, best way would be a huge drive degausser...but I'm not sure, they might destroy the drive which would kinda defeat the purpose

I'm sure a LLF would suffice though, by then it would probably take some tough work for someone to pull data off of it. I'm sure it'd still be possible, but expensive to do.

As for degaussers, I'm sure a large magnet would do the trick, but again, that might destroy the drive.

Anyone have more info?

timmyqwest · 03-25-03, 09:10 PM

open it up, replace all the platers with rocks glued down, they'll never know the difference

FunkZ · 03-25-03, 09:17 PM

A low-level format will be sufficient for most home users to completely remove all data from a hard drive.

Note that this does not meet DoD requirements which specify specialized disk "scrubber" software that repeatedly overwrite numerous times to ensure no data can be recovered.

Wangster · 03-26-03, 09:16 AM

What hard drive do you have?

I know that Western Digital has software that does low level formats in order to try and fix problems but they can be used to clear your hard drive as well.

http://support.wdc.com/download/index.asp#dlgtools

Good luck.

rlemieux · 03-26-03, 09:57 AM

Its a Seagate

Thelemac · 03-26-03, 10:04 AM

This belongs in Storage. Please post in the appropriate sections.

03-25-03, 08:37 PM	Thread Starter #1
rlemieux Cyber Deal King Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: The Big Easy	low level format?? Is there any other way to know that a drive is completely cleared? I want to sale my HD but I don't want someone being able to pull CC numbers and such. Thanks. __________________ Asus Sabertooth x58, Intel Core i7-950, Thermalright IFX-14, Ultra X3 1000watt PSU, 6GB G.Skill DDR3 1600, 2 x Zotac GTX 465's, 2 Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 300GB HD's, 2 Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 1.5TB HD's, 2 Samsung SH-S203B's, Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic, Lian Li PC-75-USB Aluminum Case, Viewsonic 27-inch N2750W LCD TV Heatware

03-25-03, 08:45 PM	#2
Breadfan Inactive Moderator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Northern VA	Hmmm, best way would be a huge drive degausser...but I'm not sure, they might destroy the drive which would kinda defeat the purpose I'm sure a LLF would suffice though, by then it would probably take some tough work for someone to pull data off of it. I'm sure it'd still be possible, but expensive to do. As for degaussers, I'm sure a large magnet would do the trick, but again, that might destroy the drive. Anyone have more info? __________________ System: Epox 8R3DA Pro/2500Barton@3200+/1024mb Patriot RAM/ATi (BBA) 9800Pro 256mb/ 250GB Seagate HDD/Home-modded case (Not pre modded!) - Running Ubuntu Linux 8.04 Heatware -=:=- View my car projects "It must be said that genuine compassion is not like pity or a feeling that others are somehow lower than you. Rather, with genuine compassion you view others as more important than yourself." -- Dalai Lama

03-26-03, 09:57 AM	Thread Starter #6
rlemieux Cyber Deal King Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: The Big Easy	Its a Seagate __________________ Asus Sabertooth x58, Intel Core i7-950, Thermalright IFX-14, Ultra X3 1000watt PSU, 6GB G.Skill DDR3 1600, 2 x Zotac GTX 465's, 2 Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 300GB HD's, 2 Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 1.5TB HD's, 2 Samsung SH-S203B's, Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic, Lian Li PC-75-USB Aluminum Case, Viewsonic 27-inch N2750W LCD TV Heatware

03-26-03, 10:04 AM	#7
Thelemac Administratively Deficient Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Canton, MI	This belongs in Storage. Please post in the appropriate sections. __________________ 42 \| Sig Assassin click

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03-25-03, 09:10 PM	#3
timmyqwest Disabled Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: illinois	open it up, replace all the platers with rocks glued down, they'll never know the difference

03-25-03, 09:17 PM	#4
FunkZ Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Pennsylvania, USA	A low-level format will be sufficient for most home users to completely remove all data from a hard drive. Note that this does not meet DoD requirements which specify specialized disk "scrubber" software that repeatedly overwrite numerous times to ensure no data can be recovered.

03-26-03, 09:16 AM	#5
Wangster Official O/C Santa Ferret Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Austin	What hard drive do you have? I know that Western Digital has software that does low level formats in order to try and fix problems but they can be used to clear your hard drive as well. http://support.wdc.com/download/index.asp#dlgtools Good luck.