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(assuming youre using Windows) Click on start. Go to 'my computer' for XP or 'computer' for Vista. Right-click on the hard drive you wish to wipe the data from. Then click on format. WARNING: this will delete EVERYTHING from that hard drive and it does take some time. Note that while the steps in the above answer will delete all files on the hard disk, the data is not wiped in a format and is still recoverable.
If you wish to remove the data in such a way that it is not recoverable you will have to use a file shredding application which overwrites the data and erases it again and repeats the process a number of times.
There are several applications designed for this purpose, I will link to a freeware site below with a list of several disk utilities including some disk wiping utilities.
Also, if you wish to wipe any recoverable data from the free space of your hard disk, but retain all other files. There is a program called "disk redactor" which does just this. Simply delete any files you wish to shred, empty the recycle bin, and then use disk redactor to securely wipe all the blank space on your hard disk. Disk redactor is free, and i will link it below.
What else can I help you with?
How do you erase personal information off the hard drive?
Hello, Its necessary to recycle hard drive and its equally important to wipe the data off it. The hard disk user believe once they delete data from the hard disk, there are no chances of data retrieval. Contrary to popular belief's the data can be recovered and one could be victim of identity theft. Normal system tools won't really help you, one needs to do much deeper cleaning or disk wipe There are various tools available to erase the data for you. BitRaser, is one such tool available in the market that will help you wipe all the data off the disk. It can wipe data from any kind of hard drives such as SCSI, SAS, IDE/ATA, SATA hard drive and USB.
When troubleshooting a computer problem after backing up the data?
wipe the hard drive
How can one wipe clean the data on a hard disk drive?
There are many ways to clean the data on a hard drive disk. These ways include erasing and formatting, data wiping aka data dump, and disk wiping stands.
How can I undo a complete memory wipe on an hp energy star?
If you mean that you have formatted the hard-drive... you cannot 'undo' it. Wiping the hard-drive erases the reference track from the drive. The reference track holds details of all the programs, pictures and personal data - to allow Windows to find each file as required.
How do you restore a shrunk hard disk drive to its original state in size?
As data is saved to a hard drive, the free space lessens until the there is no more space for further data - the drive is full. I assume this is what is meant by the "shrunk" hard disk drive in the question? Formatting the drive will return the drive to the original size. Note: formatting doesn't actually wipe the drive completely, the data is still on the drive. Only the links to the data is severed, so the computer acts as though the drive is blank and it can write new data to the drive.
How do you completely erase Mac haRDDRIVE?
You can use a Mac shredder software to completely wipe Mac hard drive in single go. Note: the ultimate state to permanently erase files or wipe out a hard drive clean is to let all the data be overwritten.
Why formatting delet all pictures?
Formatting a hard drive or memory card means to wipe it clean and prepare it for fresh data.
What happens to the data if a hard drive is formatted?
Not much happens to the data on a hard drive at all when the hard drive is formatted other than making it harder to find and unprotected from being written over. Data that existed prior to reformatting will not be visible in the Windows Browser after formatting the hard drive, but it is still there and will remain until written over. It can be recovered by anyone unless you performed a wipe of the data which involves writing over it one or more times.
How would one proceed to wipe a hard drive?
To wipe a hard drive, you would normally need a recovery CD which is normally provided by the manufacturer. Reboot your PC with a CD which has a shredder and partitioning tool on it. You can then proceed to wipe the hard drive using the tools on the CD.
Do recycling companies that take computers wipe the hard drive and other information off of the equipment or should that be done before giving it to them?
Recycling companies are least interested in your data on hard disk. There is no need to delete the data form hard disk but you should copy it to new hard disk for your use. The recycling companies are mainly interested in reusable components and more so in metal contents of computer. While there are laws in place requiring companies disposing of computers to remove personal information from the machines, there is a lot of variation in compliance with these laws from company to company. Some computer recycling companies are not ethical, so it's recommended to wipe the hard drive before donation. Free programs to wipe a hard drive can be found online.
What precautions one must take while returning the leased computer, so as to ensure that no personal data is leaked out?
I would use a software utility to wipe the hard drive completely, such as the free Darik's Boot and Nuke (DBAN).
What is the safest way to destroy data in a hard drive?
Using the Ultimate Boot CD. It is full of programs designed to completely wipe out data from your hard drive, the 1 program I use from it is called Darek's Boot 'n Nuke, when you use it, it's like you just walked out of the store with a new hard drive, NOTHING can be recovered.
