Posted: 12/31/2002 2:50:19 PM EDT
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I am currently trying to wipe a computer absolutely clean. I've got a set of "ghost" disks, and a DOS boot floppy with a "backpack" CD driver, whatever the hell that is...... The computer won't (or can't) read whatever is on the damned floppy, so I'm having MAJOR trouble just shit-canning everything on the hard drive. Any suggestions, other than parking the f*cker next to an electro magnet for a few days? |
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Download this [url]http://download.com.com/3000-2248-914828.html?tag=lst-0-1[/url] and follow the directions in the readme file. Save it to floppy. Boot to dos via a floppy. If you need an updated bootdisk you can get one at [url]http://www.bootdisk.com[/url] When you run the partition manager, all you need to do is delete the primary boot sector partition and set up another one using the software. You can do similar with the FDISK command, but the partition software makes it easier. |
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The easiest way to get your hard drive really clean is to do a low level format. You can do this by downloading a disk utility program off of either the western digital or maxtor website. A low level format will write zeros to every sector, making sure everything is overwritten. Regular formating or repartioning will make it impossible for anyone to reclaim files off of the disk using software that is easily available to the public, since the file structure has been destroyed. However, any leo organization should still be able to reclaim files and read old files off of it. Granted, the FBI can even read disks, at least partially, that have even had a low level format done. Really, if you want to make sure that files are gone for good, pull the hard drive out of your computer, get a large hammer, and pound away, then throw it in a lake. |
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[url]www.killdisk.com[/url] It extracts in windows and will make a bootable disk for you. You tell it which drive to erase and then tell it how many times to go over it. (I think 9 is the DOD equivalent). 1 whole run through should make it hard enough for most folks. |
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[url=http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/search.asp?strSearch=gwscan]GWscan v3.15[/url] its free... and the write zeros to drive kills everything - great way to be sure viruses are purged. You will need to Fdisk again for some O/S, but WME, W2K & Xp will do that during the install. |
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Modern computers and operating systems allow you to boot from CD. Start your computer, watch the screen. When it says "Hit Del to go to setup", do that. Set the boot sequence to "CD, Harddrive, Floppy". Safe, exit, and put the CD with your operating system in one of your CD drives.. Follow the hints on your screen. Sometimes, it's not the DEL key, but another one. Try F1, F2, or Esc. |
| kar98, thanks for the reply, with the memory refresher you gave me, everything went smooth, the machine is up and running, and now I can let the kids use it to roam cyber space without having to worry about the machine leaking any of my credit card numbers and such. Again a big thanks for replying. Take care |
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Quoted: The easiest way to get your hard drive really clean is to do a low level format. You can do this by downloading a disk utility program off of either the western digital or maxtor website. A low level format will write zeros to every sector, making sure everything is overwritten. Regular formating or repartioning will make it impossible for anyone to reclaim files off of the disk using software that is easily available to the public, since the file structure has been destroyed. However, any leo organization should still be able to reclaim files and read old files off of it. Granted, the FBI can even read disks, at least partially, that have even had a low level format done. Really, if you want to make sure that files are gone for good, pull the hard drive out of your computer, get a large hammer, and pound away, then throw it in a lake. Or use Cyberscrub, with the 35 pass Gutmann algorithm that prevents electron microscope reads of residual magnetic traces. Cybercide is the same, for doing an entire drive, like you're saying. |