Re: What about OLD computers??

[Jay Maechtlen <techwriter -at- covad -dot- net>]

Sandy Harris wrote:

> Unless you need to defend against professionals, that should do it.
> Beware of a "quick format" which leaves most of the disk untouched,
> though. Change the partitions to avoid that.
>

Changing partitions doesn't do it.
Installing a new OS might do it- if it changes the partition type (from
FAT32 to EXT2 or NTFS. But, the data would still be there unless it was
overwritten in the process. (the bit patterns would be present on the
platter, but harder to access)

The utilities that overwrite the drive are the best bet, short of the
bonfire or .45 caliber methods.
Erase everything of value, empty all recycle bins, then run the
overwrite/shredder utility.

what a pita.

cheers
Jay
-- 
Jay Maechtlen
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626 840-8875 cell
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