Formatting Hard Drive

[aidso]

Ok not the obvious question, but i was wondering if someone could tell me how to completely format a machine so that i can sell it. I am conscious of the files left behind when i do the factory reset and need something "fuller" as maybe an interim step. It's a Dell desktop so i will be using the hidden partition to load Windows back on after the work.

I have tried Darik's Boot and Nuke but it takes far too long. Anyone any alternatives?

[TheReaFireblade]

I'd suggest using Active@KillDisk - which is FREE

[aidso]

Looks exactly what im after. Do you know how long it takes to run - minutes or hours?

[s_kinton]

None of them are particularly fast (its going to be hours on all proper programs), it takes a long time to actually erase all that data, rather than just a simple format.

[smargh]

Darik's Boot and Nuke.

Leave it running for a few passes (I would do it for a few days) and your data will be totally nuked.

[cpemma]

I have tried Darik's Boot and Nuke but it takes far too long.

On a several hundred Gb HDD things do, just leave it overnight.

A crude method would be to delete all your private data, empty the recycle bin, then defrag the drive to hopefully move other files over where the private data was. Copy some big folders to C:\Temp just to add a bit more coverage. Then reformat the drive (which will wipe everything) and re-install the OS.

But there's absolutely no guarantee that it's gone beyond recovery by an expert.

[Steve B]

a few passes (I would do it for a few days) and your data will be totally nuked.

http://16systems.com/zero/index.html
Multiple passes is a waste of time. Single pass is good enough.

[aidso]

I'd suggest using Active@KillDisk - which is FREE

I used this bit of kit last night and it worked a treat! As it is only a free version, then it only does one pass but that was enough for what wanted - 30mins on my 60GB hard drive - and then another 15mins to restore Windows etc.
Would definitiely recommend this.

Cheers Fireblade

[TheReaFireblade]

[peterb]

I use a linux distro and the dd command to write zeros to the disk.

dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/XXX where XXX is the drive to be wiped.