Totally erasing pc ...
 
Notifications
Clear all

Totally erasing pc before reinstalling Op.System?

33 Posts
6 Users
0 Reactions
3,881 Views
jaclaz
(@jaclaz)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 18 years ago
Posts: 5133
 

jaclaz,

Yes, really. The KB Article I reference documents it for Vista. I discovered it as a result of some testing I did on Vista (when Vista was the current version of Windows). Some months after I did my testing I found the KB article that officially documented it.

I have not personally tested Windows 7 but I have been told by a couple of other forensic analysts that they have and the long format wipes the drive.

Seems to be something that is not well known. I try to mention it forensics analysts and data recovery specialists every chance I get. When I do, they usually look at me like I have 2 heads. I point them to the KB and suggest they do their own test.

TonyC

Sure ) , the point I was highlighting was simply that I often do the same and that specifically I already did it in this same thread, if you prefer, the "nobody mentioned" was NOT accurate, "jaclaz did".

JFYI, I learned it the "hard way" 😯
http//www.msfn.org/board/topic/135781-vista-quick-format-or-full-format-that-is-the-question/

And I try to mention the thing whenever the topic is touched wink
http//www.forensicfocus.com/Forums/viewtopic/p=6565021/#6565021
http//www.forensicfocus.com/Forums/viewtopic/p=6563225/#6563225
http//www.forensicfocus.com/Forums/viewtopic/p=6560114/#6560114
http//www.forensicfocus.com/Forums/viewtopic/p=6538905/#6538905

And I can confirm for you that BOTH Windows 7 and 8 (i.e. "recent - since Vista") behave the same. (and though I havent' tested it yet, I see no reason why the 8.1 shoudl have changed).

jaclaz


   
ReplyQuote
jhup
 jhup
(@jhup)
Noble Member
Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 1442
 

Indeed it is a constant struggle to get the simple concepts of volume vs partition vs disk/device across.


   
ReplyQuote
(@tonyc)
Eminent Member
Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 27
 

jaclaz,

My bad! oops

I reread this thread and DID see your mention of Vista and Win 7 long format.

I guess I need to read slower or get better glasses. )

TonyC


   
ReplyQuote
Page 4 / 4
Share: