The need to delete all data from the hard drive is rare, usually when you completely reinstall the system or prepare the computer for sale. In order for the installation of the new OS to go smoothly, and along with the sold computer, confidential data does not fall into the hands of the buyer, certain rules must be followed when deleting data from the disk.
Instructions
Step 1
You have decided to reinstall the OS. When is it necessary to delete all data from the installation disk? If you are installing Windows 7 after Windows XP, formatting is not necessary. But if on the contrary, the disk must be formatted, while choosing not fast formatting, but full format. A complete deletes all data, and a fast deletes only a table with file records. If you do not format it, an error may occur during the installation phase of Windows XP.
Step 2
The actual formatting can be done in different ways, depending on your capabilities. For example, you can boot from a LiveCD and start formatting from that operating system. This method is convenient if the OS you want to replace does not start. Having booted from the LiveCD, you can save all the data you need and only then start formatting.
Step 3
You can use Acronis Disk Director to format the disk. You will need a CD-run version. It is included in some Windows assemblies such as XP Zver. Acronis Disk Director allows the user to customize disks as needed. Namely, they can be split, connected, resized, given different letters, etc. etc. With this program you will be able to format the disks of your computer.
Step 4
A useful option of the program is the possibility of guaranteed destruction of information stored on the disk. When destroying a partition, you specify the number of passes, for example, 4. In this case, the information will be overwritten four times, alternately filled with zeros and ones. After such processing of the disk, it is no longer possible to recover any information from it.
Step 5
If you are worried about the safety of confidential data, you can use this program to create a hidden partition that will not be visible in Windows Explorer. To make it visible, you will need to start Acronis Disk Director again. In this case, in the program itself, you can set a password to enter. Thus, no one but you will be able to see the data of the hidden partition. You can find a detailed description of working with the program here:
