Re: FDISK & Format

No, FDISK and format leaves all the data on your disk for any prying eyes to easily recover with simple freeware utilities!

Think of the hard disk as a filing cabinet. FDISK simply removes the label on the front of the drawers but leaves all the file folders inside the drawers, anyone who opens the drawers will be able to see all the file folders inside. Format simply erases the tabs/labels on the file folders but leaves everything in the folders, anyone who opens the folders will be able to see all that is inside. That in a nutshell is what FDISK and Format does. Wiping utilities like DBAN are like paper shredders for the folders in your filing cabinet, the wipe utility does its "shredding" by overwriting the whole disk with zeros or/and ones, the overwriting makes it impossible to recover any files on the disk.

John

Earl Partridge wrote:

Thanks for all the responses. What I would like to do is to leave the disk
in a readable state so the new owner can quickly determine that it is
a valid disk, and the size is as indicated. I assume the old Windows 98
FDISK and Format/s does in fact wipe out all old data, making it all
unreadable, but also allowing it to be viewed to be in working order, etc.
Earl


"Lil' Dave" <spamyourself@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:OuuQeAL4IHA.5060@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Earl Partridge" <earlpNG@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:%23pAQ32I4IHA.4572@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I'd guess there is no such apps for XP? I'm just formatting a few old hard drives
before getting rid of them and thought perhaps rather than FDISKing and Formatting
with a Windows 98 Floppy, perhaps I could do something similar to put them in a
more current state...
Earl
----------
Plain text original post revised for proper usenet presentation.

Download the appropriate software from the appropriate hard disk manufacturer. Zero write the hard drive you are referring to from BOOT MEDIA.

There have never been any such apps or app in any version of windows for what you're attempting to accomplish. Obviously not possible as the operating system cannot over-write itself.

What is a "more current state"?
--
Dave

Speculation on a product or material that is
an obvious need, is not speculation per se
as there is no risk to the speculator.
Common were those selling food and other
supplies in the gold rush days.
In this case, its oil and its everyone who
bites the bullet. And most everyone has no gold
to be made, just business as usual.





.

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