Formatting HD 1

[TarsierSpectral]

I need to zero out a HD. I am giving a computer away and I will not be installing any OS on it.

In the past used fdisk.exe run from a bootable floppy. How is this acomplished these days? I don't have A drive any more.

Thanks

 

[Freestone]

A couple of freeware links with bootable ISO CD images (at least the first link)

http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm

http://dban.sourceforge.net/

By the way, use of FDISK does not zero your hard drive, data is still easily recoverable.

 

[TarsierSpectral]

so what is the best way to zero out a HD?

 

[Freestone]

Read this link -

http://www.killdisk.com/

 

[TarsierSpectral]

thanks I am downloading it

 

[ITGeekMatrix]

These steps will show you how to write 0's to a hard disk to ensure no data is left behind.

Step 1: Insert a floppy disk (data on it will be lost)

Step 2: Download a Win98se boot disk:

http://drd.dyndns.org/cgi-bin/cgirdir.exe?mtn04

Step 3: Run the Win98se boot disk exe file to create your boot disk

Step 4: Download the Wipe utility:

http://www.drivermuseum.com/pub/util...thers/wipe.zip

Step 5: Extract the files to the root of your boot disk

Step 6: Boot to the floppy drive and use the following command

wipe 0

The number is the fixed drive number

 

[Freestone]

I don't have A drive any more.

Hence my links to ISO images.

 

[TarsierSpectral]

as I stated in my initial post. I do NOT have a floppy drive.

I used Freestone's suggestion

 

[ArizonaGeek]

Don't forget to give Freestone a star for their help

Killdisk is in my list of "must have" software for any computer geek.

Cheers
Rob

The answer is always "PEBKAC!

 

[TarsierSpectral]

i don't know how to give stars

 

[BadBigBen]

Maggieddd - under the response of each person, there is a little link calle '* Thank <handle of person responding> for this valuable post!' hit this and it will guide you further...


ArizonaGeek - guess I'm not a computer geek, LOL... I use DBAN and ToolhouseOS (costs a bunch, but my boss swears by it, since it also tests your hardware)...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[ArizonaGeek]

guess I'm not a computer geek, LOL... I use DBAN and ToolhouseOS

Ford vs Chevy my friend. Personal preference. I have been using Killdisk for many years, I just got Active@Bootdisk (with Killdisk as a feature of it) and love it. The data recovery software as well as Killdisk have been a huge help.

What is ToolhouseOS? I've never heard of it, I Googled it and didn't find it.

Cheers
Rob

The answer is always "PEBKAC!

 

[ITGeekMatrix]

You could always make a bootable CD and run it from DOS, that's a no brainer. so hence the ISO isn't necessary, but useful. IMO there are many ways to get through it without a FDD drive. Trust me...I know it because I've done it.


It's always great to have a bunch of geeks sharing info to help out. Every one does things differently, doesn't make anyone any less then that of it's counterparts.

 

[burtsbees]

I like the computer adjustment tool myself. Mine is an older model (lead pipe).

Burt

 

[BadBigBen]

What is ToolhouseOS? I've never heard of it, I Googled it and didn't find it.

My bad, it is Toolstar OS from Toolhouse...



Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[ITGeekMatrix]

Toolhouse almost rhyme with ToolTime with Tim Allen..lol


Never heard of that but will check it out...