As many of u guys should know, it is impossible to erase data permanently unless the hard disk is physically damaged. I think using a good software should help making the recovery very difficult. To experiment this, I bought a second hand hard disk, and am ready to do whatever is necessary to make the recovery of files difficult. I guess what I need now is those GOOD third party softwares for both removing and recovery.
I already have a software called Eraser and still don't know if it's really making the recovery process difficult as I don't have any recovery software.
What software do u guys recommend for this recovery??
Do u guys also know any of these removing software which will erase the WHOLE HARD DISK rather than removing them individually just like Eraser???
Any help would be appreciated... Tnx.

Your question as you posed it is largely academic.

The answer to your question is that the only way of removing 100% of the data is by physically crushing the harddrive disks and powdering them. Even non-working harddrives and damaged disks can have data retrieved off of them. Any data can be retrieved even if there are only bits and parts of it. The CIA and FBI can do this in the interest of national security. How much data of any value they get is iffy and left to chance.

The practical answer to your question is: How many people and "dumpster divers" have the knowledge, experience and laboratory to go this deep? Extremely few. And for the few that have this kind of training, are they really interested in what you have on your harddrive, considering the huge amount of time and work involved in trying to retrieve it?? Of course not. Your data just isn't that valuable.

Most of the "data erasors" commercially available render the disks wiped to the point where your privacy is safe.

Hmmm... I knew about them.
I got some of the Eraser programs in my hand, and I wanna test them myself that how powerfully they erase the data. So for that can u recommend some a powerful recovery software?
What my friend does is that he carries some CD's with him and recovers many data in any PC's he intended to. Do u think I can prevent him from recovering my data if he simply tries with CD's and not in the laboratory?

Well, I am far from being an expert on this subject. Someone here who might know more than me is Interceptor, if he stops in.

I do know that Winternals is a well-respected, pro software utility that is used commercially. I believe that there is a limited tryout download - possibly they may charge you a smaller amount, you can check it out by clicking on my link. The site link is on the Left toward the bottom of the splashscreen. I have really been wanting to play around with this, but I don't feel like paying money to do it.

Unless your friend is a guru and capable of using the techniques I referenced above, using a zero-out utility, then reformatting the harddrive will render the existing data unrecoverable.

Samsung's ClearHDD will write 1s or 0s to the entire drive, effectively rendering it completely clean of all previous data (especially if this is done about three times).

QUOTE (jimholly @ Jul 25 2005, 03:28 PM)

Samsung's ClearHDD will write 1s or 0s to the entire drive, effectively rendering it completely clean of all previous data (especially if this is done about three times).

Isn't the download link down? I can't download it...

I just tried it and popped right in. Here is the full link; try to cut & paste it into your browser:

http://www.samsung.com/Products/HardDiskDr..._0000002849.htm

Hi Pabel,

The link is right. Just scroll down to the file "File name": clearhdd.exe

Click on it and you will prompted to run or save it

QUOTE (Ironbender @ Jul 26 2005, 05:13 AM)

Hi Pabel, The link is right. Just scroll down to the file "File name": clearhdd.exe Click on it and you will prompted to run or save it

Instead of that in IE I get the error message, "Service Unavailable
The server is temporarily unable to service your request. Please try again later."
In Opera; "Page Not Found. Sorry. We are having a problem excuting your request. It is possible your bookmark is old one or you just meet broken link. Please refer to link about information. What's wrong?

Try the link to it on this Brazilian site.

QUOTE (jimholly @ Jul 26 2005, 06:47 AM)

Try the link to it on this Brazilian site.

Tnx, I've successfully downloaded it. Now can u please tell me how use this tool? Is this a low-formatting tool?

This is not a format tool, only your system disk can format. This utility writes 0's to the entire harddrive, thus wiping out all formatting, all partitions and all data. As we discussed, if a person is a pro and willing to spend the time, there is still data left in the clusters that can be retrieved with difficulty. However, the intial headers (not the correct term, but it will work) have been removed, so finding where it is and what you would be looking at is extremely difficult and can be done only with pro software and lots of experience. Few people are capable of that.

Drag and drop it onto your WIN98 floppy boot disk. Insert your disk, reboot; if you want to format your harddrive, choose "Start with CD rom support"; if you do not want to format, choose "Do not start with CDrom support"; it doesn't really matter, just saves you a few seconds load time.

After you finally get the prompt, type:

clearhdd 0.exe

(remember space after clearhdd) and hit return; it will ask you two (2) times if you really want to do this, hit Y two times. Now your disk is 100% clean of everything, guaranteed.

If you want to make double sure, use your XP installation screen to set one large partition encompassing the entire harddrive, and format in NTFS.

[EDIT]: As an afterthought, I have lately had the problem of getting the message after the Win98 floppy loads, "please insert disk #2". I don't know why it might do this, but here's the workaround:

Save Clearhdd to a 2nd floppy disk all by itself, and remove it from your Win98 boot floppy. First, load the WIN98 boot floppy; when it is finished loading and you have the blinking prompt, eject the boot floppy and insert the 2nd floppy containing Clearhdd. Now proceed as usual above.

QUOTE (Pabel @ Jul 26 2005, 11:06 AM)

QUOTE (jimholly @ Jul 26 2005, 06:47 AM) Try the link to it on this Brazilian site.

Thanks for him Jim

I do not use to recommend Brazilian sites because most people does not understand them, but I guess I maybe wrong.

Well, Chris.... the little bit that is on that page isn't very confusing in any language, fortunately.

Do it more than once. When I use clearhdd.exe I always do it at least 3 times.

Tnx very much, guys for your support.

I'm quite impressed with the description of this tool, and I want u to make sure that this is not a low-level formatting tool which sounds so so scary, and that it doesn't harm the hard disk and works with all the brands. Can YOU??

Well, actually I've got a tool called Darkis Boot and Nuke. I'm sure there would be no problem if I use both of the ClearHDD before using Darkis Boot and Nuke. What do u think?

How should I create Win 98 Boot Disk?

Clearhdd is not a low level utility. It is a 0-out utility only and will not damage your harddrive. I (as well a several others in the forum) have been using it for years (thanks to Moon for the info years ago!).

You can down load a WIN98 boot disk HERE.

This is all you need to clear your harddrive.

MOON??? I owed him a lot and he left the forum before I even say Thank YOU!!! I was always confident when he helped me out cuz I knew I could solve whatever the problem is as long as he's beside me...
Back to the topic, I think it is pretty clear how to make my HDD safe.

QUOTE

Well, actually I've got a tool called Darkis Boot and Nuke. I'm sure there would be no problem if I use both of the ClearHDD before using Darkis Boot and Nuke. What do u think?

QUOTE

What my friend does is that he carries some CD's with him and recovers many data in any PC's he intended to. Do u think I can prevent him from recovering my data if he simply tries with CD's and not in the laboratory?

What do u think about the above questions?

QUOTE (ranchhand @ Jul 28 2005, 11:37 AM)

Clearhdd is not a low level utility.  It is a 0-out utility only and will not damage your harddrive.  I (as well a several others in the forum) have been using it for years (thanks to Moon for the info years ago!). You can down load a WIN98 boot disk HERE. This is all you need to clear your harddrive.

You cannot do a true low level format. That can only happen at the factory. You can only overwrite the data with 1s and 0s. That's a close as you're ever going to get. Any program you have will only do the same thing.

..and by the way, Moon is alive and well and still living in the forum. He's still here and stops in regularly.

Moon's living in this forum?? Why haven't I ever seen him, then?

I'm very afraid of low-level formatting tool cuz the OLD low formatting tool will spoil the modern HDD's.
Anyway what do u think of my friend's issue who's carrying a CD to recover files? If I use this ClearHD tool more than 3 times as Interceptor said, do u think he's likely to recovery any data from my HDD just within a few hours, with a single (or two) CD-ROM assuming that he's not using any big lab or doesn't take a lot of time?
What do u say?

Pabel, I answered your question several posts back. Re-read carefully.

Damn, made another mistake again. LOL
Gotcha.
Finally tnx for yr patient and kind support.