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Hard disk formatting for the paranoid

  • 02-02-2008 10:59am
    #1
    a5y
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 945 ✭✭✭


    As I'm sending back a faulty macbook after a few months I'd like to format the hard disk first.
    • What would be the most secure way of formatting the entire hard disk? Booting from OS X disk 1 and using disk utility to wipe the hard disk? Is there any benefit from formatting the disk multiple times?


Comments

  • #2
    ZENER
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,163 ✭✭✭ZENER


    Formatting does nothing to the data on the drive that cannot be undone by someone intent on it. The Disk Utility has a secure erase option which is probably what you're looking for. It'll clean away all that nasty p0rn* for ya ;)

    There are commercial options but they might be a bit rich for your blood. I'm assuming the Mac still boots by the way, what is the fault with the MacBook if you'll excuse my nosiness :D


    *Just kiddin' of course !!

    ZEN


  • #3
    K.O.Kiki
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,821 ✭✭✭✭K.O.Kiki


    If the fault is non-HDD related, remove the drive ;) (but check to see if they'll still repair it so).


  • #4
    tonyboy247
    Closed Accounts Posts: 143 ✭✭tonyboy247


    Disk utility ....options....zero data.....7pass is good. OK;)


  • #5
    WizZard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,762 ✭✭✭WizZard


    Technically, writing all zeros won't completely erase a drive :) The data can still be recovered, but it's unlikely that anyone would go to the cost and effort to do so in a repair scenario
    In any case, they can't do anything with any material that they notice on your hard-drive, unless it is criminal (so porn or even software that you "borrowed" from a friend can't be reported)

    There are anecdotal reports of Apple Service providers deleting copies of high-end Apple software products from machines they repair if they are "known bad copies" but not saying anything. That practice would open them up to legal claims, thus I can't see it happening.


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