Get a Knoppix disk and type the following at the Terminal window:
shred -vfz -n 100 /dev/hda (replace hda with your hard drive info)

it will take forever but will replace all the data on your pc with
zero's

or you can also download and run dban it will securely erase all the
data and also take forever.

my 2 cents.



Shotgun wrote:
> Hmmm. That's interesting. What about the old DOS command we used to use of
> "format c: /u" for an Unconditional format? Would that work to to completely
> erase it? I do have Norton Systemworks that will work on the old XP
> operating system and it has a DOD Wipe feature. How about a format and then
> a "wipe". That do it?
>
> "HeyBub" wrote:
>
>> Shotgun wrote:
>>>> TO PEGASUS: Oh, ye of little faith in strangers! I always figured a
>>>> stranger is just a friend I haven't met yet.....I do hedge that a
>>>> bit in real life by having a Concealed Handgun License <grin>.
>>>> Thanks for the reply. That was sage advice and is logical so I'll
>>>> try it. I really think I have transferred it all, but just can't
>>>> bring myself to "pull the trigger" by formating the harddrive on the
>>>> old one in preparation to selling it. While I have the ear of a
>>>> soothsayer (you), am I correct that once formatted, the old drive
>>>> will unreadable as far as my information is concerned and it will be
>>>> safe to sell? In your role as MVP have you considered changing your
>>>> name from Pegasus to Prometheus, as you are a big help. <g>.
>>>> Thanks.
>> No. Formatting doesn't bother the data at all and it's (almost) trivial to
>> recover.
>>
>>
>>