complete data erasing

[jp22382]

hey all, i had to setup an rma for one of my maxtor drives as it is on its way out. i know data is still recoverable after a format, is there any software or method that will completely delete all the data on my drive? privacy is the concern, phone numbers, addresses, and the like. thanks again-

[iNeb]

a hammer =P

There are programs that write 1 and 0's over it many times, but even that doesn't always work

Get Powermax and use the option to write 0's. I doubt if Maxtor is going to take the time to try and recover your data. If they do, they're even more hard pressed then I thought.

[StealthyV]

the old "System Mechanic" software by iolo, inc used to write and overwrite data 7-9 times over with encrypted data...supposedly 7x overwrited was the government preference at the time (2000 I believe?)

they have a program called a "secure shredder" too which also destroyed data. don't forget though, the nature of magnetic discs...there will be traces of your data even if you smash it to pieces, or soak it in acid.
do what kevin mitnick did: throw your drives into a lake, never to be found.

~Branson

[elmers]

Bit paranoid ? I've never heard of a disk being recoverd after being writen over with 0. System mechanic has a trial version and has an option to securly delete files.

[TGK MCP]

You could always do what Kevin Rose did in this video clip.. =)
They probably won't RMA it though.

http://www.techtv.com/unscrewed/ihat...527597,00.html

[M_Six]

Eraser

[SiliconJon]

Norton Systemworks Pro had a "government" type wipe that would write 1's & 0's as many times as you would like to each bit on the drive...not that I touch their software anymore. That will do the trick! But B4 you do that, could you send me that classified info you're erasing?

Sweet Eraser program...gotta love the good open programs

[scholar]

Maxtor has a Low Level formatting program that you can download, Runnig that should do it.

Regards