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Erasing a Hard Drive; What's the best way?
Topic Started: Jul 13 2005, 12:22 AM (2,565 Views)
azpicturethis
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I've got some old hard drives that I'd like to erase and use as "slaves". What would you recommend to erase them (even the OS)? I'd like to erase everything so that I get the most storage space available.
Thanks!
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bigsteve4570
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Just install the drive, boot up, & go to My computer. Right-click on the new drive and click "format". The drive will be formatted to your OS, but empty.
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azpicturethis
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So ... if I take an old hard drive with Win 98 on it and hook it up as a slave on an XP box, right-click on the new drive (in My Computer) and click "format". The slave drive will be formatted to XP, but empty? :o
Wow!
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Sentinel67
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azpicturethis
Jul 15 2005, 11:56 PM
So ... if I take an old hard drive with Win 98 on it and hook it up as a slave on an XP box, right-click on the new drive (in My Computer) and click "format". The slave drive will be formatted to XP, but empty?  :o
Wow!

The drive will appear empty and will function as an empty drive, but until the drive's "free space" is overwritten with new data, it is possible to recover the pre-format files. I've successfully used FileScavenger 2.1 to recover data from reformatted drives in the past. If there isn't anything (personal data) you are worried about on the old drives, reformatting them is the way to go. However, if you want to actually erase the old data, you'll need to use some sort of file scrubber on them. Something like Window Washer, CyberScrub, or Eraser will permanently remove data from your old hard drives. I recommend anyone wanting to sell an old computer use one of these progies...repeatedly...and often...just to be safe. Ya don't want Joe Blow to get your old bank records, do ya??? :P

IMO, one should never keep personal/financial/private stuff on any drive connected to the net. No security is perfect. IMO... :unsure:
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oklahomadanny
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I use Eraser. Great little program. Use this instead of the delete function but only on things you are sure you don't need because once it's gone it's "gone for good"! I use it on the temp files and crap like that.
Here is a link to the newest version (v.5.7) http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/ . It's under new management but it's still free. Donations accepted.
As Sentinel67 said, use one of the programs to totally erase the HD. Eraser does this by overwriting. More detailed info at the web site.

This comes with eraser.
Eraser now includes 'Darik's Boot and Nuke' disk. There is a new directory under Eraser called 'boot'.
For a summary:
'Darik's Boot and Nuke ("DBAN") is a self-contained boot floppy that securely wipes the hard disks of most computers. DBAN will automatically and completely delete the contents of any hard disk that it can detect, which makes it an appropriate utility for bulk or emergency data destruction.'
Warning use this program with caution!
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olderthandirt1157
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DBAN works for me if you want it wiped about as clean as you can get it.
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TSFC
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Wipedrive.

Cleans that sucker so it's spotless and shines.
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azpicturethis
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bigsteve4570
Jul 13 2005, 12:04 AM
Just install the drive, boot up, & go to My computer. Right-click on the new drive and click "format". The drive will be formatted to your OS, but empty.

Thanks!
I tried it, and of course it worked. ;)
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USSEnterprise
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I don't bother with a fancy program. I just copy a big file to the drive, like the windows swap file, over and over until it is fulll, and then erase.
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csrjohn
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A free one that works great - leaves your HD in a RAW format just like a new one
Killdisk :blink: Do at least 3 passes - 7 is better

Remember formatting does NOT eliminate data & VIRUSES ARE DATA!! :luv:
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Doug_T6524
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Kinda hate to revive an old thread but ...
The technique I use is to place the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) as Single in the computer using MASTER or CABLE SELECT and then prepare the BIOS of the computer to BOOT SEQUENCE to the CDROM First. When the computer is REBOOTING I place a Bootable CD (with GDISK.EXE and the Manufacturers' HDD Support Tools in it) into the CD or CD/DVD Drive (and once booted) then Call the executable GDISK.EXE into employ.

: Use GDISK.EXE to remove all the partitions on the HDD :
GDISK 1 /DEL /ALL
: Use GDISK to create a new partition utilizing all of the HDD :
GDISK 1 /CRE /PRI
: I then use the "Ctrl + Alt + Delete" key sequence to allow the HDD to BOOT (even though it won't, the Summation sign most times appears) :
: I then REBOOT through the BOOTABLE CD and and run through the GDISK delete all partitions once more and then Create a single partiton :
GDISK 1 /CRE /PRI (using the whole of the HDD unpartitioned space available)
: or Create two (2) partitions :
GDISK 1 /CRE /PRI /SZ:"n" (where "n" is the size in Megabytes)
GDISK 1 /CRE /EXT (using the remainder of the HDD unpartitioned space available)
GDISK 1 /CRE /LOG (using the remainder of the HDD unpartitioned space available)
: The HDD is then ZERO LEVEL WRITTEN or ZERO FILLED (misnomer: Low-Level Formatted) with use of the HDD Manufacturer's Support Downloadable Software :
: After this last process, zeroing, the HDD is returned to an uninitialized state of condition reminiscent of the manufacturers initial release of the HDD, the previous GDISK'ing is for my peace of mind :

: It should be noted that this process described here is for my personal use and not the professsional practice employed in service :
Doug_T6524
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