hershey
Albuquerque,(fulltime) NM, USA
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Joined: 06/04/2003
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After a lot of frustration with my computer maker, they have agreed to replace it with a new one. See Lemon Thread
Of course I'll have to return the lemon. My query is: If I completely reinstall the operating system to like new, it will reformat my hard drive. Will that assure me that some computer geek can't somehow access my data or passwords etc even tho it has been reformatted? Is there some other way that will give me the insurance that my information can't be re-installed?????
hershey - albuquerque, nm
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eubank
Angel Fire, NM, USA
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Joined: 01/17/2004
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A couple of years ago I donated one of my old computers to the local library. The HD had loads of data and programs, none of which they were authorized to use or examine. I found a scrambling program on the internet that basically made meatloaf of everything on the disk. (Sure, some super-expert might have been able to retrieve bits and pieces, but damned little, and requiring way too much expertise and effort to make it worthwhile.)
Lynn
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JMTTS
52.1122 N, 106.5625 W
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Joined: 11/19/2004
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NO - To be safe use a Disk Wiping program like DSX.
J & M
2005 Cardinal 33TS LX with TrailAir
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djevans
Tennessee
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Joined: 03/24/2002
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To really be sure, beat the daylights out of the HD with a sledge hammer. Well, alright, you have to send it back, but, the data can be recovered even if erased and sometimes even if it's been written over with several passes. However, if you've written over the disk even with one pass, it get s VERY hard to recover.
Don . . . near 36.171N 086.784W, TN near here
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CloudDriver
New Jersey Shore
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You could try this hard drive eraser. They have a free version for download.
2003 Winnebago Minnie 24F - Ford E-450
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PapPappy
Wilmington, NC
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Could you have the hard drive switched to the new computer? The techno-geeks could probably do it in about 20 minutes, and then you'd have all your information, and they would have the clean HD that came with the new unit!
If that is not an option, a second choice might be to buy the HD back, to keep your information. Explain your concerns. You might then be able to add it to your computer (desk top or laptop?) at a later time.
Option 3 is more along the lines of what has already been mentioned, but if a really good hacker wants something off the HD...he'll get it! Which is why I opt for choices #1 or #2, where you have control of the HD.
Just my two cents!!
DH Bill / DW Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris
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dvantowr
Spokane, WA
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Normally a reformat of the type you're talking about just makes some minor changes in what amounts to the drives indexing system so the operating system can't "see" the files any more. All the data is still there and at that point is usually easily recoverable with simple file recovery software. As more stuff is written onto the drive, recovery slowly becomes more difficult but still relatively easy for someone looking for bank accounts, passwords, etc. Using a "secure erase" program writes 1's and 0's in random patterns all over several times and takes recovery to the level cited by eubank, above.
As to keeping the HD, I just reviewed your Lemon Thread and I don't believe you can rule out the HD as a possible source for some of your many problems. I would suggest just downloading a free secure erase program, wiping the disk (which may take hours if it does it right) and sending the whole thing back.
Good luck!
Tom (semi-techno semi-geek)
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Albin
North Alabama
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Joined: 05/19/2006
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Here's another HD data eraser program, free and it has several options on how much you want the HD cleaned. I used this when I upgraded my home HD and gave the old one to my 13 year old son.
http://www.download.com/Zilla-Data-Nuker/3000-2092_4-10320323.html
Good luck.
Al
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magicbus
LBI, NJ
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Is this the same machine you sent back 3 times??? Don't you think maybe some tech (or three) already has all of your passwords? I would suggest forgetting about the hard drive and change your online passwords.
Dave
Life doesn't come with a safety fence around it... enjoy it anyway.
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gestanton
Rotterdam, NY
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Like all theiving and hacking it's a matter of economics. Does your hard drive have data worth expending the effort to retreive. At work we use a disk wiping software that is approved for government disk cleanup. However, the only way to really destroy the data is beat it with a hammer as previously said or drill holes through the disks. You'r not really destroying the data, just the mechanical processes for retreiving it.
George Stanton
- Anticipating retirement
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- Camping with DW of 40 years and three Therapy Dogs (SmallDog, Oliver & Ted)
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