Re: Bulk erase methods



In article <MPG.1d404fd8e039f476989b24@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Keith Williams <krw@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>In article <0rvcd1turrc57e41r5g60bpbv2s6u4crin@xxxxxxx>,
>thegreatone@xxxxxxxxxxx says...
>> On 14 Jul 2005 08:03:47 -0700, larwe@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
>>
>> >> very well. A shredder is a far better method. If the floppys are to
>> >> be reused, formatting them will deter all but the black-hats.
>> >
>> >You'd be surprised how easy it is to recover data from a floppy that
>> >has only been formatted. All you need is a scope and patience. The
>> >azimuth variations between any two drives make the "lost" data readable
>> >easily on another drive.
>>
>> I've been lurking at this thread for awhile...
>>
>> If the OP meant that bulk erase was needed to render the floppies
>> disposable with security, then mechanical destruction is certainly the
>> only reliable way.

I still sometimes have to erase a floppy to use it, if the format
is not recognized by the computer. A standard hand held bulk eraser
is what I use. Still a somewhat time consuming process, as
it takes several passes to do it. Is there still such a thing being sold?
Ebay?

Using the computer to erase is obviously a very long chore.

greg


>Yep. Riaisng the temperature above the curie point works too, but that
>likely amounts to the same thing.
>
>> If the OP only wanted to re-use the floppies himself, what's wrong
>> with simply "delete *.*" ??
>
>That simply clears the directory. The files are still there.
>
>> If he meant to distribute erased floppies for others to re-use, but
>> with security, there exists software which will write randomized data
>> over the existing data.
>
>The new data won't cover the old data completely, unless it was written
>by the same drive (and it hasn't changed calibration). If any security
>is required, go back to solution #1.
>
.



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