Formatting XP Disk

[TimGoff]

Hi,

I have a machine with Windows XP currently installed on it.

For security reasons, I need to format the hard disk before passing it onto someone else.

Any ideas how I can do this? I've tried using a Win98 boot disk without sucess

Thanks
Tim

 

[BernardStewart]

You could always use the XP recovery console on your XP installation disk:-
FormatFormats the specified drive to the specified file system. The format command with the parameters listed below is only available when you are using the Recovery Console. The format command with different parameters is available from the command prompt.

format [drive:] [/q] [/fs:file-system]

Parameters

drive:

Specifies the drive you want to format. You cannot format a floppy disk from the Recovery Console.

/q

Performs a quick format of the drive. The drive is not scanned for bad areas, so you should use this parameter only on drives that you have previously formatted.

/fs:file-system

Specifies the file system to use: FAT, FAT32, or NTFS. If you don't specify a file system, the existing file system format is used.

This is quite straight forward.
Best of luck.

http://www.ipd.me.uk/

 

[linney]

I wonder what you mean by Security reasons?

There are programs around that can recover data even after deletion or formatting. Want to delete data from your computer? "You take the drive out and you hit it with a sledgehammer — and then you shred it." Anything less, and some of that data may be recoverable.

http://www.restorer2000.com

http://www.runtime.org/hints.htm

HOW TO: Partition and Format a Hard Disk in Windows XP (Q313348)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q313/3/48.asp

Read the paragraph,
"How to Partition and Format Your Hard Disk by Using Windows XP Setup."

 

[strazer]

If you have fdisk.exe on your Win98 boot disk, you could delete the WinXP partition and recreate a new Win98 partition. Then you can format the Win98 partition.

 

[Bobg1]

There is software available that will wipe it clean, resets all bits. It is time consuming.

 

[Bobg1]

Take a look here for some more info.

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,110012,00.asp

 

[Jontmke]

I agree with Linney. If you are trying to amke sure the data on the hard drive is not recoverable yet want to keep it usable, you have to use special software which writes 0's to every bit on the drive. Norton Utilities has a "Wipe" program, so do others. It will take a looong time, but should make be reliable.

I cannot emphasize enough Formatting the drive does not remove the data!!

Jon

There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge. (Bertrand Russell)

 

[ken07734]

I just started an install and chose to delete the partition and reformat.

 

[TimGoff]

Hi,

Thanks for everyone for their posts.

Maybe including the comment "for security reasons" was a little too strong - I need to erase everything on the disk, but I trust the recipient of the box - so a format is fine.

But - there has be alot of useful information posted here...

Thanks again
Tim

 

[Bobg1]

"I trust the recipient"
But what happens when they decide to get rid of the disk
or give it to someone else? You should still be concerned.

 

[TimGoff]

For information...

I booted with a W98 boot disk, and using fdisk which was on the floppy, deleted the partition and then formatted the drive.
Tim

 

[kwunder]

Norton's Wipe Info program has failed for me. Despite doing a 7 pass wipe, I could still use another Norton program - UNERASE - and recover some of the data.

Bryn

 

[turkeyshoot]

I use this at work on all he old computers before they are disposed/sold etc.

http://dban.sourceforge.net/

Basically its a linux disto that boots up and does a low level format with multiple passes.

 

[linney]

I wonder if a strong Magnet would have any effect?