-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:06 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Exactly what does this /p switch do?

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 12:59 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey all.

You can do a full format, overwriting sectors as many times as you want, using the command line format tool and the /p switch. Not 100% certain this works on SSD drives as I've never had occasion to format my drive, but it should.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dave Durber
Sent: November 13, 2022 08:39 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Marty:

Formatting a drive, does not erase any information which was Previously stored on the drive before it was formatted. There are a number of software data programs, which have the capability to recover data, even though a drive/sd card/memory stick has been formatted. The only way to ensure any and all data is erased from any storage medium, is to use a specific program or, a program which has the function, to perform a low-level format for the specific storage medium, which erases all format information and data from anSSD, HDD, SD card or memory stick.

Dave

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marty Hutchings" <mhutchings152730@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Can you just plug in the drive, go to Desktop and go to This PC.
Arrow down to your drive and hit the Application or Context menu and
arrow down to Format and hit Enter. This should wipe everything off of the drive.

On 11/13/2022 3:13 PM, Gene Warner wrote:

Hi everyone!

I need to securely wipe the content from three external hard drives
that I am going to give to my brother. Is there a drive wiping
utility that will wipe the entire drive that is accessible with JAWS?

Thanks!

Gene...

On 11/14/2022 1:20 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey Gene.
The /p switch works like this:
You specify the number of passes/overwrites to take place of the disk. First, it overwrites all sectors with 0, then additional passes use random numbers.
So, to do four passes over the disk, you would type.
Format driveletter: /p:4
Note the colon symbol between /p and the number of passes you would like to perform.
-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:06 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?
Exactly what does this /p switch do?
Gene...
On 11/14/2022 12:59 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey all.

You can do a full format, overwriting sectors as many times as you want, using the command line format tool and the /p switch. Not 100% certain this works on SSD drives as I've never had occasion to format my drive, but it should.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dave Durber
Sent: November 13, 2022 08:39 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Marty:

Formatting a drive, does not erase any information which was Previously stored on the drive before it was formatted. There are a number of software data programs, which have the capability to recover data, even though a drive/sd card/memory stick has been formatted. The only way to ensure any and all data is erased from any storage medium, is to use a specific program or, a program which has the function, to perform a low-level format for the specific storage medium, which erases all format information and data from anSSD, HDD, SD card or memory stick.

Dave

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marty Hutchings" <mhutchings152730@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Can you just plug in the drive, go to Desktop and go to This PC.
Arrow down to your drive and hit the Application or Context menu and
arrow down to Format and hit Enter. This should wipe everything off of the drive.

On 11/13/2022 3:13 PM, Gene Warner wrote:

Hi everyone!

I need to securely wipe the content from three external hard drives
that I am going to give to my brother. Is there a drive wiping
utility that will wipe the entire drive that is accessible with JAWS?

Thanks!

Gene...

-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:27 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Interesting! That must be a new switch that was added recently, I know it wasn't there the last time I read through the format documentation looking for something.

Still, I'd prefer to use a utility that is specifically designed for wiping disks, but that would be a good fallback in case one isn't available, it would be better than nothing.

Gene...

On 11/14/2022 1:20 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey Gene.
The /p switch works like this:
You specify the number of passes/overwrites to take place of the disk. First, it overwrites all sectors with 0, then additional passes use random numbers.
So, to do four passes over the disk, you would type.
Format driveletter: /p:4
Note the colon symbol between /p and the number of passes you would like to perform.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:06 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Exactly what does this /p switch do?

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 12:59 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey all.

You can do a full format, overwriting sectors as many times as you want, using the command line format tool and the /p switch. Not 100% certain this works on SSD drives as I've never had occasion to format my drive, but it should.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dave
Durber
Sent: November 13, 2022 08:39 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Marty:

Formatting a drive, does not erase any information which was Previously stored on the drive before it was formatted. There are a number of software data programs, which have the capability to recover data, even though a drive/sd card/memory stick has been formatted. The only way to ensure any and all data is erased from any storage medium, is to use a specific program or, a program which has the function, to perform a low-level format for the specific storage medium, which erases all format information and data from anSSD, HDD, SD card or memory stick.

Dave

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marty Hutchings" <mhutchings152730@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Can you just plug in the drive, go to Desktop and go to This PC.
Arrow down to your drive and hit the Application or Context menu and
arrow down to Format and hit Enter. This should wipe everything off of the drive.

On 11/13/2022 3:13 PM, Gene Warner wrote:

Hi everyone!

I need to securely wipe the content from three external hard drives
that I am going to give to my brother. Is there a drive wiping
utility that will wipe the entire drive that is accessible with JAWS?

Thanks!

Gene...

On 11/14/2022 1:31 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey gene.
Is your call of course. I personally would use a utility built into windows first, if available.
The /p switch is not new, but the thoroughness of the passes is kind of new-ish -- taht is, windows 8 new, which I guess isn't that new anymore. The switch is listed in the format documentation but not with much detail. There's a little more here on this page:
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/perform-a-secure-disk-wipe-with-windows-10s-format-command/
-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:27 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?
Interesting! That must be a new switch that was added recently, I know it wasn't there the last time I read through the format documentation looking for something.
Still, I'd prefer to use a utility that is specifically designed for wiping disks, but that would be a good fallback in case one isn't available, it would be better than nothing.
Gene...
On 11/14/2022 1:20 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey Gene.
The /p switch works like this:
You specify the number of passes/overwrites to take place of the disk. First, it overwrites all sectors with 0, then additional passes use random numbers.
So, to do four passes over the disk, you would type.
Format driveletter: /p:4
Note the colon symbol between /p and the number of passes you would like to perform.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:06 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Exactly what does this /p switch do?

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 12:59 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey all.

You can do a full format, overwriting sectors as many times as you want, using the command line format tool and the /p switch. Not 100% certain this works on SSD drives as I've never had occasion to format my drive, but it should.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dave
Durber
Sent: November 13, 2022 08:39 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Marty:

Formatting a drive, does not erase any information which was Previously stored on the drive before it was formatted. There are a number of software data programs, which have the capability to recover data, even though a drive/sd card/memory stick has been formatted. The only way to ensure any and all data is erased from any storage medium, is to use a specific program or, a program which has the function, to perform a low-level format for the specific storage medium, which erases all format information and data from anSSD, HDD, SD card or memory stick.

Dave

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marty Hutchings" <mhutchings152730@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Can you just plug in the drive, go to Desktop and go to This PC.
Arrow down to your drive and hit the Application or Context menu and
arrow down to Format and hit Enter. This should wipe everything off of the drive.

On 11/13/2022 3:13 PM, Gene Warner wrote:

Hi everyone!

I need to securely wipe the content from three external hard drives
that I am going to give to my brother. Is there a drive wiping
utility that will wipe the entire drive that is accessible with JAWS?

Thanks!

Gene...

-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 02:21 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Interesting! I stand corrected, in a previous message I said that the format command would not overwrite existing data on the drive, but would just write out a blank root directory. But with newer (Windows Vista and
later) versions of the command line format utility that is true only for the quick format option. If you leave out the quick format option the /p parameter is implied with one pass meaning that a standard format will overwrite all the data on the drive with zeros.

Good to know!

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 1:31 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey gene.

Is your call of course. I personally would use a utility built into windows first, if available.
The /p switch is not new, but the thoroughness of the passes is kind of new-ish -- taht is, windows 8 new, which I guess isn't that new anymore. The switch is listed in the format documentation but not with much detail. There's a little more here on this page:

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/perform-a-secure-disk-wipe-with-w
indows-10s-format-command/

-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:27 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Interesting! That must be a new switch that was added recently, I know it wasn't there the last time I read through the format documentation looking for something.

Still, I'd prefer to use a utility that is specifically designed for wiping disks, but that would be a good fallback in case one isn't available, it would be better than nothing.

Gene...

On 11/14/2022 1:20 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey Gene.
The /p switch works like this:
You specify the number of passes/overwrites to take place of the disk. First, it overwrites all sectors with 0, then additional passes use random numbers.
So, to do four passes over the disk, you would type.
Format driveletter: /p:4
Note the colon symbol between /p and the number of passes you would like to perform.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene
Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:06 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Exactly what does this /p switch do?

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 12:59 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey all.

You can do a full format, overwriting sectors as many times as you want, using the command line format tool and the /p switch. Not 100% certain this works on SSD drives as I've never had occasion to format my drive, but it should.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dave
Durber
Sent: November 13, 2022 08:39 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Marty:

Formatting a drive, does not erase any information which was Previously stored on the drive before it was formatted. There are a number of software data programs, which have the capability to recover data, even though a drive/sd card/memory stick has been formatted. The only way to ensure any and all data is erased from any storage medium, is to use a specific program or, a program which has the function, to perform a low-level format for the specific storage medium, which erases all format information and data from anSSD, HDD, SD card or memory stick.

Dave

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marty Hutchings" <mhutchings152730@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Can you just plug in the drive, go to Desktop and go to This PC.
Arrow down to your drive and hit the Application or Context menu
and arrow down to Format and hit Enter. This should wipe everything off of the drive.

On 11/13/2022 3:13 PM, Gene Warner wrote:

Hi everyone!

I need to securely wipe the content from three external hard
drives that I am going to give to my brother. Is there a drive
wiping utility that will wipe the entire drive that is accessible with JAWS?

Thanks!

Gene...

On 11/14/2022 1:31 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey gene.
Is your call of course. I personally would use a utility built into windows first, if available.
The /p switch is not new, but the thoroughness of the passes is kind of new-ish -- taht is, windows 8 new, which I guess isn't that new anymore. The switch is listed in the format documentation but not with much detail. There's a little more here on this page:
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/perform-a-secure-disk-wipe-with-windows-10s-format-command/
-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:27 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?
Interesting! That must be a new switch that was added recently, I know it wasn't there the last time I read through the format documentation looking for something.
Still, I'd prefer to use a utility that is specifically designed for wiping disks, but that would be a good fallback in case one isn't available, it would be better than nothing.
Gene...
On 11/14/2022 1:20 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey Gene.
The /p switch works like this:
You specify the number of passes/overwrites to take place of the disk. First, it overwrites all sectors with 0, then additional passes use random numbers.
So, to do four passes over the disk, you would type.
Format driveletter: /p:4
Note the colon symbol between /p and the number of passes you would like to perform.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:06 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Exactly what does this /p switch do?

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 12:59 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey all.

You can do a full format, overwriting sectors as many times as you want, using the command line format tool and the /p switch. Not 100% certain this works on SSD drives as I've never had occasion to format my drive, but it should.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dave
Durber
Sent: November 13, 2022 08:39 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Marty:

Formatting a drive, does not erase any information which was Previously stored on the drive before it was formatted. There are a number of software data programs, which have the capability to recover data, even though a drive/sd card/memory stick has been formatted. The only way to ensure any and all data is erased from any storage medium, is to use a specific program or, a program which has the function, to perform a low-level format for the specific storage medium, which erases all format information and data from anSSD, HDD, SD card or memory stick.

Dave

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marty Hutchings" <mhutchings152730@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Can you just plug in the drive, go to Desktop and go to This PC.
Arrow down to your drive and hit the Application or Context menu and
arrow down to Format and hit Enter. This should wipe everything off of the drive.

On 11/13/2022 3:13 PM, Gene Warner wrote:

Hi everyone!

I need to securely wipe the content from three external hard drives
that I am going to give to my brother. Is there a drive wiping
utility that will wipe the entire drive that is accessible with JAWS?

Thanks!

Gene...

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gene Warner" <genewarner3@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Monday, November 14, 2022 7:22 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?


I wonder if unchecking the quick format option in the GUI format utility
has the same effect as with the command line version.

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 1:31 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey gene.

Is your call of course. I personally would use a utility built into
windows first, if available.
The /p switch is not new, but the thoroughness of the passes is kind of
new-ish -- taht is, windows 8 new, which I guess isn't that new anymore.
The switch is listed in the format documentation but not with much detail.
There's a little more here on this page:

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/perform-a-secure-disk-wipe-with-windows-10s-format-command/

-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:27 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Interesting! That must be a new switch that was added recently, I know it
wasn't there the last time I read through the format documentation looking
for something.

Still, I'd prefer to use a utility that is specifically designed for
wiping disks, but that would be a good fallback in case one isn't
available, it would be better than nothing.

Gene...

On 11/14/2022 1:20 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey Gene.
The /p switch works like this:
You specify the number of passes/overwrites to take place of the disk.
First, it overwrites all sectors with 0, then additional passes use
random numbers.
So, to do four passes over the disk, you would type.
Format driveletter: /p:4
Note the colon symbol between /p and the number of passes you would like
to perform.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:06 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Exactly what does this /p switch do?

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 12:59 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey all.

You can do a full format, overwriting sectors as many times as you want,
using the command line format tool and the /p switch. Not 100% certain
this works on SSD drives as I've never had occasion to format my drive,
but it should.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dave
Durber
Sent: November 13, 2022 08:39 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Marty:

Formatting a drive, does not erase any information which was Previously
stored on the drive before it was formatted. There are a number of
software data programs, which have the capability to recover data, even
though a drive/sd card/memory stick has been formatted. The only way to
ensure any and all data is erased from any storage medium, is to use a
specific program or, a program which has the function, to perform a
low-level format for the specific storage medium, which erases all
format information and data from anSSD, HDD, SD card or memory stick.

Dave

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marty Hutchings" <mhutchings152730@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Can you just plug in the drive, go to Desktop and go to This PC.
Arrow down to your drive and hit the Application or Context menu and
arrow down to Format and hit Enter. This should wipe everything off of
the drive.

On 11/13/2022 3:13 PM, Gene Warner wrote:

Hi everyone!

I need to securely wipe the content from three external hard drives
that I am going to give to my brother. Is there a drive wiping
utility that will wipe the entire drive that is accessible with JAWS?

Thanks!

Gene...

On 11/14/2022 8:23 PM, K0LNY wrote:

I would guess yes, but with just one pass.
Glenn
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gene Warner" <genewarner3@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Monday, November 14, 2022 7:22 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?
I wonder if unchecking the quick format option in the GUI format utility
has the same effect as with the command line version.
Gene...
On 11/14/2022 1:31 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey gene.

Is your call of course. I personally would use a utility built into
windows first, if available.
The /p switch is not new, but the thoroughness of the passes is kind of
new-ish -- taht is, windows 8 new, which I guess isn't that new anymore.
The switch is listed in the format documentation but not with much detail.
There's a little more here on this page:

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/perform-a-secure-disk-wipe-with-windows-10s-format-command/

-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:27 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Interesting! That must be a new switch that was added recently, I know it
wasn't there the last time I read through the format documentation looking
for something.

Still, I'd prefer to use a utility that is specifically designed for
wiping disks, but that would be a good fallback in case one isn't
available, it would be better than nothing.

Gene...

On 11/14/2022 1:20 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey Gene.
The /p switch works like this:
You specify the number of passes/overwrites to take place of the disk.
First, it overwrites all sectors with 0, then additional passes use
random numbers.
So, to do four passes over the disk, you would type.
Format driveletter: /p:4
Note the colon symbol between /p and the number of passes you would like
to perform.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:06 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Exactly what does this /p switch do?

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 12:59 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey all.

You can do a full format, overwriting sectors as many times as you want,
using the command line format tool and the /p switch. Not 100% certain
this works on SSD drives as I've never had occasion to format my drive,
but it should.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dave
Durber
Sent: November 13, 2022 08:39 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Marty:

Formatting a drive, does not erase any information which was Previously
stored on the drive before it was formatted. There are a number of
software data programs, which have the capability to recover data, even
though a drive/sd card/memory stick has been formatted. The only way to
ensure any and all data is erased from any storage medium, is to use a
specific program or, a program which has the function, to perform a
low-level format for the specific storage medium, which erases all
format information and data from anSSD, HDD, SD card or memory stick.

Dave

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marty Hutchings" <mhutchings152730@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Can you just plug in the drive, go to Desktop and go to This PC.
Arrow down to your drive and hit the Application or Context menu and
arrow down to Format and hit Enter. This should wipe everything off of
the drive.

On 11/13/2022 3:13 PM, Gene Warner wrote:

Hi everyone!

I need to securely wipe the content from three external hard drives
that I am going to give to my brother. Is there a drive wiping
utility that will wipe the entire drive that is accessible with JAWS?

Thanks!

Gene...

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gene Warner" <genewarner3@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 1:22 AM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?


I wonder if unchecking the quick format option in the GUI format utility
has the same effect as with the command line version.

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 1:31 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey gene.

Is your call of course. I personally would use a utility built into windows first, if available.
The /p switch is not new, but the thoroughness of the passes is kind of new-ish -- taht is, windows 8 new, which I guess isn't that new anymore. The switch is listed in the format documentation but not with much detail. There's a little more here on this page:

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/perform-a-secure-disk-wipe-with-windows-10s-format-command/

-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:27 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Interesting! That must be a new switch that was added recently, I know it wasn't there the last time I read through the format documentation looking for something.

Still, I'd prefer to use a utility that is specifically designed for wiping disks, but that would be a good fallback in case one isn't available, it would be better than nothing.

Gene...

On 11/14/2022 1:20 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey Gene.
The /p switch works like this:
You specify the number of passes/overwrites to take place of the disk. First, it overwrites all sectors with 0, then additional passes use random numbers.
So, to do four passes over the disk, you would type.
Format driveletter: /p:4
Note the colon symbol between /p and the number of passes you would like to perform.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:06 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Exactly what does this /p switch do?

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 12:59 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey all.

You can do a full format, overwriting sectors as many times as you want, using the command line format tool and the /p switch. Not 100% certain this works on SSD drives as I've never had occasion to format my drive, but it should.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dave
Durber
Sent: November 13, 2022 08:39 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Marty:

Formatting a drive, does not erase any information which was Previously stored on the drive before it was formatted. There are a number of software data programs, which have the capability to recover data, even though a drive/sd card/memory stick has been formatted. The only way to ensure any and all data is erased from any storage medium, is to use a specific program or, a program which has the function, to perform a low-level format for the specific storage medium, which erases all format information and data from anSSD, HDD, SD card or memory stick.

Dave

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marty Hutchings" <mhutchings152730@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Can you just plug in the drive, go to Desktop and go to This PC.
Arrow down to your drive and hit the Application or Context menu and
arrow down to Format and hit Enter. This should wipe everything off of the drive.

On 11/13/2022 3:13 PM, Gene Warner wrote:

Hi everyone!

I need to securely wipe the content from three external hard drives
that I am going to give to my brother. Is there a drive wiping
utility that will wipe the entire drive that is accessible with JAWS?

Thanks!

Gene...

On 11/15/2022 4:13 AM, Dave Durber wrote:

Gene:
Yes it does!
Dave
----- Original Message ----- From: "Gene Warner" <genewarner3@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 1:22 AM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?
I wonder if unchecking the quick format option in the GUI format utility
has the same effect as with the command line version.
Gene...
On 11/14/2022 1:31 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey gene.

Is your call of course. I personally would use a utility built into windows first, if available.
The /p switch is not new, but the thoroughness of the passes is kind of new-ish -- taht is, windows 8 new, which I guess isn't that new anymore. The switch is listed in the format documentation but not with much detail. There's a little more here on this page:

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/perform-a-secure-disk-wipe-with-windows-10s-format-command/

-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:27 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Interesting! That must be a new switch that was added recently, I know it wasn't there the last time I read through the format documentation looking for something.

Still, I'd prefer to use a utility that is specifically designed for wiping disks, but that would be a good fallback in case one isn't available, it would be better than nothing.

Gene...

On 11/14/2022 1:20 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey Gene.
The /p switch works like this:
You specify the number of passes/overwrites to take place of the disk. First, it overwrites all sectors with 0, then additional passes use random numbers.
So, to do four passes over the disk, you would type.
Format driveletter: /p:4
Note the colon symbol between /p and the number of passes you would like to perform.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:06 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Exactly what does this /p switch do?

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 12:59 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey all.

You can do a full format, overwriting sectors as many times as you want, using the command line format tool and the /p switch. Not 100% certain this works on SSD drives as I've never had occasion to format my drive, but it should.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dave
Durber
Sent: November 13, 2022 08:39 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Marty:

Formatting a drive, does not erase any information which was Previously stored on the drive before it was formatted. There are a number of software data programs, which have the capability to recover data, even though a drive/sd card/memory stick has been formatted. The only way to ensure any and all data is erased from any storage medium, is to use a specific program or, a program which has the function, to perform a low-level format for the specific storage medium, which erases all format information and data from anSSD, HDD, SD card or memory stick.

Dave

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marty Hutchings" <mhutchings152730@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Can you just plug in the drive, go to Desktop and go to This PC.
Arrow down to your drive and hit the Application or Context menu and
arrow down to Format and hit Enter. This should wipe everything off of the drive.

On 11/13/2022 3:13 PM, Gene Warner wrote:

Hi everyone!

I need to securely wipe the content from three external hard drives
that I am going to give to my brother. Is there a drive wiping
utility that will wipe the entire drive that is accessible with JAWS?

Thanks!

Gene...

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gene Warner" <genewarner3@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 10:27 AM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?


Have you actually verified that or are you just assuming? Please don't
take this the wrong way, I would hate to think that it does wipe the
drive only to find out the hard way that it doesn't and end up having
personally sensitive information end up in somebody else's hands.

Gene...


On 11/15/2022 4:13 AM, Dave Durber wrote:

Gene:

Yes it does!

Dave

----- Original Message ----- From: "Gene Warner" <genewarner3@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 1:22 AM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?


I wonder if unchecking the quick format option in the GUI format utility
has the same effect as with the command line version.

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 1:31 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey gene.

Is your call of course. I personally would use a utility built into
windows first, if available.
The /p switch is not new, but the thoroughness of the passes is kind
of new-ish -- taht is, windows 8 new, which I guess isn't that new
anymore. The switch is listed in the format documentation but not with
much detail. There's a little more here on this page:

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/perform-a-secure-disk-wipe-with-windows-10s-format-command/


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:27 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Interesting! That must be a new switch that was added recently, I know
it wasn't there the last time I read through the format documentation
looking for something.

Still, I'd prefer to use a utility that is specifically designed for
wiping disks, but that would be a good fallback in case one isn't
available, it would be better than nothing.

Gene...

On 11/14/2022 1:20 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey Gene.
The /p switch works like this:
You specify the number of passes/overwrites to take place of the
disk. First, it overwrites all sectors with 0, then additional passes
use random numbers.
So, to do four passes over the disk, you would type.
Format driveletter: /p:4
Note the colon symbol between /p and the number of passes you would
like to perform.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:06 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Exactly what does this /p switch do?

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 12:59 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey all.

You can do a full format, overwriting sectors as many times as you
want, using the command line format tool and the /p switch. Not 100%
certain this works on SSD drives as I've never had occasion to
format my drive, but it should.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dave
Durber
Sent: November 13, 2022 08:39 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Marty:

Formatting a drive, does not erase any information which was
Previously stored on the drive before it was formatted. There are a
number of software data programs, which have the capability to
recover data, even though a drive/sd card/memory stick has been
formatted. The only way to ensure any and all data is erased from
any storage medium, is to use a specific program or, a program which
has the function, to perform a low-level format for the specific
storage medium, which erases all format information and data from
anSSD, HDD, SD card or memory stick.

Dave

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marty Hutchings" <mhutchings152730@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Can you just plug in the drive, go to Desktop and go to This PC.
Arrow down to your drive and hit the Application or Context menu and
arrow down to Format and hit Enter. This should wipe everything off
of the drive.

On 11/13/2022 3:13 PM, Gene Warner wrote:

Hi everyone!

I need to securely wipe the content from three external hard drives
that I am going to give to my brother. Is there a drive wiping
utility that will wipe the entire drive that is accessible with JAWS?

Thanks!

Gene...

On 11/15/2022 11:30 AM, K0LNY wrote:

I'd sure like to know what these government forensic computer recovery
people know about getting data from an erased HD.
Glenn
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gene Warner" <genewarner3@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 10:27 AM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?
Have you actually verified that or are you just assuming? Please don't
take this the wrong way, I would hate to think that it does wipe the
drive only to find out the hard way that it doesn't and end up having
personally sensitive information end up in somebody else's hands.
Gene...
On 11/15/2022 4:13 AM, Dave Durber wrote:

Gene:

Yes it does!

Dave

----- Original Message ----- From: "Gene Warner" <genewarner3@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 1:22 AM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?


I wonder if unchecking the quick format option in the GUI format utility
has the same effect as with the command line version.

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 1:31 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey gene.

Is your call of course. I personally would use a utility built into
windows first, if available.
The /p switch is not new, but the thoroughness of the passes is kind
of new-ish -- taht is, windows 8 new, which I guess isn't that new
anymore. The switch is listed in the format documentation but not with
much detail. There's a little more here on this page:

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/perform-a-secure-disk-wipe-with-windows-10s-format-command/


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:27 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Interesting! That must be a new switch that was added recently, I know
it wasn't there the last time I read through the format documentation
looking for something.

Still, I'd prefer to use a utility that is specifically designed for
wiping disks, but that would be a good fallback in case one isn't
available, it would be better than nothing.

Gene...

On 11/14/2022 1:20 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey Gene.
The /p switch works like this:
You specify the number of passes/overwrites to take place of the
disk. First, it overwrites all sectors with 0, then additional passes
use random numbers.
So, to do four passes over the disk, you would type.
Format driveletter: /p:4
Note the colon symbol between /p and the number of passes you would
like to perform.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:06 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Exactly what does this /p switch do?

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 12:59 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey all.

You can do a full format, overwriting sectors as many times as you
want, using the command line format tool and the /p switch. Not 100%
certain this works on SSD drives as I've never had occasion to
format my drive, but it should.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dave
Durber
Sent: November 13, 2022 08:39 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Marty:

Formatting a drive, does not erase any information which was
Previously stored on the drive before it was formatted. There are a
number of software data programs, which have the capability to
recover data, even though a drive/sd card/memory stick has been
formatted. The only way to ensure any and all data is erased from
any storage medium, is to use a specific program or, a program which
has the function, to perform a low-level format for the specific
storage medium, which erases all format information and data from
anSSD, HDD, SD card or memory stick.

Dave

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marty Hutchings" <mhutchings152730@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Can you just plug in the drive, go to Desktop and go to This PC.
Arrow down to your drive and hit the Application or Context menu and
arrow down to Format and hit Enter. This should wipe everything off
of the drive.

On 11/13/2022 3:13 PM, Gene Warner wrote:

Hi everyone!

I need to securely wipe the content from three external hard drives
that I am going to give to my brother. Is there a drive wiping
utility that will wipe the entire drive that is accessible with JAWS?

Thanks!

Gene...

-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: 14 November 2022 18:27
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Interesting! That must be a new switch that was added recently, I know it wasn't there the last time I read through the format documentation looking for something.

Still, I'd prefer to use a utility that is specifically designed for wiping disks, but that would be a good fallback in case one isn't available, it would be better than nothing.

Gene...

On 11/14/2022 1:20 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey Gene.
The /p switch works like this:
You specify the number of passes/overwrites to take place of the disk. First, it overwrites all sectors with 0, then additional passes use random numbers.
So, to do four passes over the disk, you would type.
Format driveletter: /p:4
Note the colon symbol between /p and the number of passes you would like to perform.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:06 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Exactly what does this /p switch do?

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 12:59 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey all.

You can do a full format, overwriting sectors as many times as you want, using the command line format tool and the /p switch. Not 100% certain this works on SSD drives as I've never had occasion to format my drive, but it should.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dave
Durber
Sent: November 13, 2022 08:39 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Marty:

Formatting a drive, does not erase any information which was Previously stored on the drive before it was formatted. There are a number of software data programs, which have the capability to recover data, even though a drive/sd card/memory stick has been formatted. The only way to ensure any and all data is erased from any storage medium, is to use a specific program or, a program which has the function, to perform a low-level format for the specific storage medium, which erases all format information and data from anSSD, HDD, SD card or memory stick.

Dave

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marty Hutchings" <mhutchings152730@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Can you just plug in the drive, go to Desktop and go to This PC.
Arrow down to your drive and hit the Application or Context menu and
arrow down to Format and hit Enter. This should wipe everything off of the drive.

On 11/13/2022 3:13 PM, Gene Warner wrote:

Hi everyone!

I need to securely wipe the content from three external hard drives
that I am going to give to my brother. Is there a drive wiping
utility that will wipe the entire drive that is accessible with JAWS?

Thanks!

Gene...

-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 15, 2022 11:49 AM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

I believe that it's more about what specialized hardware you have access to than having some secret knowledge. The up side of that is that the hardware required is so expensive that only a government agency has any chance of owning it.

Gene...


On 11/15/2022 11:30 AM, K0LNY wrote:

I'd sure like to know what these government forensic computer recovery
people know about getting data from an erased HD.
Glenn
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gene Warner" <genewarner3@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 10:27 AM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?


Have you actually verified that or are you just assuming? Please don't
take this the wrong way, I would hate to think that it does wipe the
drive only to find out the hard way that it doesn't and end up having
personally sensitive information end up in somebody else's hands.

Gene...


On 11/15/2022 4:13 AM, Dave Durber wrote:

Gene:

Yes it does!

Dave

----- Original Message ----- From: "Gene Warner"
<genewarner3@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 1:22 AM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?


I wonder if unchecking the quick format option in the GUI format
utility has the same effect as with the command line version.

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 1:31 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey gene.

Is your call of course. I personally would use a utility built into
windows first, if available.
The /p switch is not new, but the thoroughness of the passes is kind
of new-ish -- taht is, windows 8 new, which I guess isn't that new
anymore. The switch is listed in the format documentation but not
with much detail. There's a little more here on this page:

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/perform-a-secure-disk-wipe-with
-windows-10s-format-command/


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene
Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:27 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Interesting! That must be a new switch that was added recently, I
know it wasn't there the last time I read through the format
documentation looking for something.

Still, I'd prefer to use a utility that is specifically designed for
wiping disks, but that would be a good fallback in case one isn't
available, it would be better than nothing.

Gene...

On 11/14/2022 1:20 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey Gene.
The /p switch works like this:
You specify the number of passes/overwrites to take place of the
disk. First, it overwrites all sectors with 0, then additional
passes use random numbers.
So, to do four passes over the disk, you would type.
Format driveletter: /p:4
Note the colon symbol between /p and the number of passes you would
like to perform.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene
Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:06 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Exactly what does this /p switch do?

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 12:59 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey all.

You can do a full format, overwriting sectors as many times as you
want, using the command line format tool and the /p switch. Not
100% certain this works on SSD drives as I've never had occasion
to format my drive, but it should.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dave
Durber
Sent: November 13, 2022 08:39 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Marty:

Formatting a drive, does not erase any information which was
Previously stored on the drive before it was formatted. There are
a number of software data programs, which have the capability to
recover data, even though a drive/sd card/memory stick has been
formatted. The only way to ensure any and all data is erased from
any storage medium, is to use a specific program or, a program
which has the function, to perform a low-level format for the
specific storage medium, which erases all format information and
data from anSSD, HDD, SD card or memory stick.

Dave

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marty Hutchings" <mhutchings152730@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Can you just plug in the drive, go to Desktop and go to This PC.
Arrow down to your drive and hit the Application or Context menu
and arrow down to Format and hit Enter. This should wipe
everything off of the drive.

On 11/13/2022 3:13 PM, Gene Warner wrote:

Hi everyone!

I need to securely wipe the content from three external hard
drives that I am going to give to my brother. Is there a drive
wiping utility that will wipe the entire drive that is accessible with JAWS?

Thanks!

Gene...

----- Original Message -----
From: "JM Casey" <jmcasey@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 1:41 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?


For sure, it is all about hardware. To do serious physical recovery of a
damaged hard drive requires laboratory conditions and specialised labour.
That's why, if you end up with a damaged drive, and look into physical
recovery services, you'll find the price to be very high -- I once looked
into it about ten years ago when one of my hhds failed and the price I came
up with was well over $1,000.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 15, 2022 11:49 AM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

I believe that it's more about what specialized hardware you have access to
than having some secret knowledge. The up side of that is that the hardware
required is so expensive that only a government agency has any chance of
owning it.

Gene...


On 11/15/2022 11:30 AM, K0LNY wrote:

I'd sure like to know what these government forensic computer recovery
people know about getting data from an erased HD.
Glenn
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gene Warner" <genewarner3@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 10:27 AM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?


Have you actually verified that or are you just assuming? Please don't
take this the wrong way, I would hate to think that it does wipe the
drive only to find out the hard way that it doesn't and end up having
personally sensitive information end up in somebody else's hands.

Gene...


On 11/15/2022 4:13 AM, Dave Durber wrote:

Gene:

Yes it does!

Dave

----- Original Message ----- From: "Gene Warner"
<genewarner3@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 1:22 AM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?


I wonder if unchecking the quick format option in the GUI format
utility has the same effect as with the command line version.

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 1:31 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey gene.

Is your call of course. I personally would use a utility built into
windows first, if available.
The /p switch is not new, but the thoroughness of the passes is kind
of new-ish -- taht is, windows 8 new, which I guess isn't that new
anymore. The switch is listed in the format documentation but not
with much detail. There's a little more here on this page:

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/perform-a-secure-disk-wipe-with
-windows-10s-format-command/


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene
Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:27 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Interesting! That must be a new switch that was added recently, I
know it wasn't there the last time I read through the format
documentation looking for something.

Still, I'd prefer to use a utility that is specifically designed for
wiping disks, but that would be a good fallback in case one isn't
available, it would be better than nothing.

Gene...

On 11/14/2022 1:20 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey Gene.
The /p switch works like this:
You specify the number of passes/overwrites to take place of the
disk. First, it overwrites all sectors with 0, then additional
passes use random numbers.
So, to do four passes over the disk, you would type.
Format driveletter: /p:4
Note the colon symbol between /p and the number of passes you would
like to perform.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene
Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:06 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Exactly what does this /p switch do?

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 12:59 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey all.

You can do a full format, overwriting sectors as many times as you
want, using the command line format tool and the /p switch. Not
100% certain this works on SSD drives as I've never had occasion
to format my drive, but it should.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dave
Durber
Sent: November 13, 2022 08:39 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Marty:

Formatting a drive, does not erase any information which was
Previously stored on the drive before it was formatted. There are
a number of software data programs, which have the capability to
recover data, even though a drive/sd card/memory stick has been
formatted. The only way to ensure any and all data is erased from
any storage medium, is to use a specific program or, a program
which has the function, to perform a low-level format for the
specific storage medium, which erases all format information and
data from anSSD, HDD, SD card or memory stick.

Dave

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marty Hutchings" <mhutchings152730@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Can you just plug in the drive, go to Desktop and go to This PC.
Arrow down to your drive and hit the Application or Context menu
and arrow down to Format and hit Enter. This should wipe
everything off of the drive.

On 11/13/2022 3:13 PM, Gene Warner wrote:

Hi everyone!

I need to securely wipe the content from three external hard
drives that I am going to give to my brother. Is there a drive
wiping utility that will wipe the entire drive that is accessible
with JAWS?

Thanks!

Gene...

On 11/15/2022 2:41 PM, JM Casey wrote:

For sure, it is all about hardware. To do serious physical recovery of a damaged hard drive requires laboratory conditions and specialised labour. That's why, if you end up with a damaged drive, and look into physical recovery services, you'll find the price to be very high -- I once looked into it about ten years ago when one of my hhds failed and the price I came up with was well over $1,000.
-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 15, 2022 11:49 AM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?
I believe that it's more about what specialized hardware you have access to than having some secret knowledge. The up side of that is that the hardware required is so expensive that only a government agency has any chance of owning it.
Gene...
On 11/15/2022 11:30 AM, K0LNY wrote:

I'd sure like to know what these government forensic computer recovery
people know about getting data from an erased HD.
Glenn
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gene Warner" <genewarner3@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 10:27 AM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?


Have you actually verified that or are you just assuming? Please don't
take this the wrong way, I would hate to think that it does wipe the
drive only to find out the hard way that it doesn't and end up having
personally sensitive information end up in somebody else's hands.

Gene...


On 11/15/2022 4:13 AM, Dave Durber wrote:

Gene:

Yes it does!

Dave

----- Original Message ----- From: "Gene Warner"
<genewarner3@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 1:22 AM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?


I wonder if unchecking the quick format option in the GUI format
utility has the same effect as with the command line version.

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 1:31 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey gene.

Is your call of course. I personally would use a utility built into
windows first, if available.
The /p switch is not new, but the thoroughness of the passes is kind
of new-ish -- taht is, windows 8 new, which I guess isn't that new
anymore. The switch is listed in the format documentation but not
with much detail. There's a little more here on this page:

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/perform-a-secure-disk-wipe-with
-windows-10s-format-command/


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene
Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:27 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Interesting! That must be a new switch that was added recently, I
know it wasn't there the last time I read through the format
documentation looking for something.

Still, I'd prefer to use a utility that is specifically designed for
wiping disks, but that would be a good fallback in case one isn't
available, it would be better than nothing.

Gene...

On 11/14/2022 1:20 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey Gene.
The /p switch works like this:
You specify the number of passes/overwrites to take place of the
disk. First, it overwrites all sectors with 0, then additional
passes use random numbers.
So, to do four passes over the disk, you would type.
Format driveletter: /p:4
Note the colon symbol between /p and the number of passes you would
like to perform.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene
Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:06 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Exactly what does this /p switch do?

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 12:59 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey all.

You can do a full format, overwriting sectors as many times as you
want, using the command line format tool and the /p switch. Not
100% certain this works on SSD drives as I've never had occasion
to format my drive, but it should.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dave
Durber
Sent: November 13, 2022 08:39 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Marty:

Formatting a drive, does not erase any information which was
Previously stored on the drive before it was formatted. There are
a number of software data programs, which have the capability to
recover data, even though a drive/sd card/memory stick has been
formatted. The only way to ensure any and all data is erased from
any storage medium, is to use a specific program or, a program
which has the function, to perform a low-level format for the
specific storage medium, which erases all format information and
data from anSSD, HDD, SD card or memory stick.

Dave

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marty Hutchings" <mhutchings152730@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Can you just plug in the drive, go to Desktop and go to This PC.
Arrow down to your drive and hit the Application or Context menu
and arrow down to Format and hit Enter. This should wipe
everything off of the drive.

On 11/13/2022 3:13 PM, Gene Warner wrote:

Hi everyone!

I need to securely wipe the content from three external hard
drives that I am going to give to my brother. Is there a drive
wiping utility that will wipe the entire drive that is accessible with JAWS?

Thanks!

Gene...

On 11/15/2022 2:47 PM, K0LNY wrote:

A lot of those reclaiming services and special clean room are simply hype.
My son works on wind turbines, and they employ tough book laptops, and he
dropped his and the HD was clicking after that and it wouldn't boot, and he
needed to get some files from it.
Well the company wasn't going to pay those crazy prices for data recovery,
so he took out the laptop HD and opened it himself and unstuck the reading
needle by hand, and it booted up fine after that.
As far as a clean room, I'd say just make sure the furnace/air is turned off
and no fans are going to blow dust around, and you can likely do it
yourself.
Glenn
----- Original Message -----
From: "JM Casey" <jmcasey@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 1:41 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?
For sure, it is all about hardware. To do serious physical recovery of a
damaged hard drive requires laboratory conditions and specialised labour.
That's why, if you end up with a damaged drive, and look into physical
recovery services, you'll find the price to be very high -- I once looked
into it about ten years ago when one of my hhds failed and the price I came
up with was well over $1,000.
-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 15, 2022 11:49 AM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?
I believe that it's more about what specialized hardware you have access to
than having some secret knowledge. The up side of that is that the hardware
required is so expensive that only a government agency has any chance of
owning it.
Gene...
On 11/15/2022 11:30 AM, K0LNY wrote:

I'd sure like to know what these government forensic computer recovery
people know about getting data from an erased HD.
Glenn
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gene Warner" <genewarner3@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 10:27 AM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?


Have you actually verified that or are you just assuming? Please don't
take this the wrong way, I would hate to think that it does wipe the
drive only to find out the hard way that it doesn't and end up having
personally sensitive information end up in somebody else's hands.

Gene...


On 11/15/2022 4:13 AM, Dave Durber wrote:

Gene:

Yes it does!

Dave

----- Original Message ----- From: "Gene Warner"
<genewarner3@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 1:22 AM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?


I wonder if unchecking the quick format option in the GUI format
utility has the same effect as with the command line version.

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 1:31 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey gene.

Is your call of course. I personally would use a utility built into
windows first, if available.
The /p switch is not new, but the thoroughness of the passes is kind
of new-ish -- taht is, windows 8 new, which I guess isn't that new
anymore. The switch is listed in the format documentation but not
with much detail. There's a little more here on this page:

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/perform-a-secure-disk-wipe-with
-windows-10s-format-command/


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene
Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:27 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Interesting! That must be a new switch that was added recently, I
know it wasn't there the last time I read through the format
documentation looking for something.

Still, I'd prefer to use a utility that is specifically designed for
wiping disks, but that would be a good fallback in case one isn't
available, it would be better than nothing.

Gene...

On 11/14/2022 1:20 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey Gene.
The /p switch works like this:
You specify the number of passes/overwrites to take place of the
disk. First, it overwrites all sectors with 0, then additional
passes use random numbers.
So, to do four passes over the disk, you would type.
Format driveletter: /p:4
Note the colon symbol between /p and the number of passes you would
like to perform.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene
Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:06 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Exactly what does this /p switch do?

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 12:59 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey all.

You can do a full format, overwriting sectors as many times as you
want, using the command line format tool and the /p switch. Not
100% certain this works on SSD drives as I've never had occasion
to format my drive, but it should.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dave
Durber
Sent: November 13, 2022 08:39 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Marty:

Formatting a drive, does not erase any information which was
Previously stored on the drive before it was formatted. There are
a number of software data programs, which have the capability to
recover data, even though a drive/sd card/memory stick has been
formatted. The only way to ensure any and all data is erased from
any storage medium, is to use a specific program or, a program
which has the function, to perform a low-level format for the
specific storage medium, which erases all format information and
data from anSSD, HDD, SD card or memory stick.

Dave

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marty Hutchings" <mhutchings152730@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Can you just plug in the drive, go to Desktop and go to This PC.
Arrow down to your drive and hit the Application or Context menu
and arrow down to Format and hit Enter. This should wipe
everything off of the drive.

On 11/13/2022 3:13 PM, Gene Warner wrote:

Hi everyone!

I need to securely wipe the content from three external hard
drives that I am going to give to my brother. Is there a drive
wiping utility that will wipe the entire drive that is accessible
with JAWS?

Thanks!

Gene...

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gene Warner" <genewarner3@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 1:59 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?


That's a crashed hard drive which is totally different from an
overwritten hard drive.

Gene...


On 11/15/2022 2:47 PM, K0LNY wrote:

A lot of those reclaiming services and special clean room are simply hype.
My son works on wind turbines, and they employ tough book laptops, and he
dropped his and the HD was clicking after that and it wouldn't boot, and
he
needed to get some files from it.
Well the company wasn't going to pay those crazy prices for data recovery,
so he took out the laptop HD and opened it himself and unstuck the reading
needle by hand, and it booted up fine after that.
As far as a clean room, I'd say just make sure the furnace/air is turned
off
and no fans are going to blow dust around, and you can likely do it
yourself.
Glenn
----- Original Message -----
From: "JM Casey" <jmcasey@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 1:41 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?


For sure, it is all about hardware. To do serious physical recovery of a
damaged hard drive requires laboratory conditions and specialised labour.
That's why, if you end up with a damaged drive, and look into physical
recovery services, you'll find the price to be very high -- I once looked
into it about ten years ago when one of my hhds failed and the price I
came
up with was well over $1,000.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene Warner
Sent: November 15, 2022 11:49 AM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

I believe that it's more about what specialized hardware you have access
to
than having some secret knowledge. The up side of that is that the
hardware
required is so expensive that only a government agency has any chance of
owning it.

Gene...


On 11/15/2022 11:30 AM, K0LNY wrote:

I'd sure like to know what these government forensic computer recovery
people know about getting data from an erased HD.
Glenn
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gene Warner" <genewarner3@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 10:27 AM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?


Have you actually verified that or are you just assuming? Please don't
take this the wrong way, I would hate to think that it does wipe the
drive only to find out the hard way that it doesn't and end up having
personally sensitive information end up in somebody else's hands.

Gene...


On 11/15/2022 4:13 AM, Dave Durber wrote:

Gene:

Yes it does!

Dave

----- Original Message ----- From: "Gene Warner"
<genewarner3@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 1:22 AM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?


I wonder if unchecking the quick format option in the GUI format
utility has the same effect as with the command line version.

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 1:31 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey gene.

Is your call of course. I personally would use a utility built into
windows first, if available.
The /p switch is not new, but the thoroughness of the passes is kind
of new-ish -- taht is, windows 8 new, which I guess isn't that new
anymore. The switch is listed in the format documentation but not
with much detail. There's a little more here on this page:

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/perform-a-secure-disk-wipe-with
-windows-10s-format-command/


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene
Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:27 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Interesting! That must be a new switch that was added recently, I
know it wasn't there the last time I read through the format
documentation looking for something.

Still, I'd prefer to use a utility that is specifically designed for
wiping disks, but that would be a good fallback in case one isn't
available, it would be better than nothing.

Gene...

On 11/14/2022 1:20 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey Gene.
The /p switch works like this:
You specify the number of passes/overwrites to take place of the
disk. First, it overwrites all sectors with 0, then additional
passes use random numbers.
So, to do four passes over the disk, you would type.
Format driveletter: /p:4
Note the colon symbol between /p and the number of passes you would
like to perform.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene
Warner
Sent: November 14, 2022 01:06 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Exactly what does this /p switch do?

Gene...


On 11/14/2022 12:59 PM, JM Casey wrote:

Hey all.

You can do a full format, overwriting sectors as many times as you
want, using the command line format tool and the /p switch. Not
100% certain this works on SSD drives as I've never had occasion
to format my drive, but it should.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dave
Durber
Sent: November 13, 2022 08:39 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Marty:

Formatting a drive, does not erase any information which was
Previously stored on the drive before it was formatted. There are
a number of software data programs, which have the capability to
recover data, even though a drive/sd card/memory stick has been
formatted. The only way to ensure any and all data is erased from
any storage medium, is to use a specific program or, a program
which has the function, to perform a low-level format for the
specific storage medium, which erases all format information and
data from anSSD, HDD, SD card or memory stick.

Dave

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marty Hutchings" <mhutchings152730@...>
To: <main@jfw.groups.io>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible drive utility?

Can you just plug in the drive, go to Desktop and go to This PC.
Arrow down to your drive and hit the Application or Context menu
and arrow down to Format and hit Enter. This should wipe
everything off of the drive.

On 11/13/2022 3:13 PM, Gene Warner wrote:

Hi everyone!

I need to securely wipe the content from three external hard
drives that I am going to give to my brother. Is there a drive
wiping utility that will wipe the entire drive that is accessible
with JAWS?

Thanks!

Gene...

On Tue, Nov 15, 2022 at 02:47 PM, K0LNY wrote:

A lot of those reclaiming services and special clean room are simply hype.

-
No, they're not.  Those who do data recovery for badly damaged drives take on quite a bit of legal responsibility, and it is very well known that exposing hard disk drive platters to even tiny bits of dust often nukes what's on them.

Not buying the story about your son.  And that's not to say this isn't what he told you.  I know enough data recovery techs, and exactly what they do and how they do it and why, to call BS on this one.

Opening a HDD to the open air in less than ideal conditions is a recipe for full data loss in a very large number of cases.  Almost all, I'd say.  

And data recovery from an SSD is even more expensive and less likely to succeed.  So those of you using SSDs as your main system (and, perhaps, data) drive(s) need to be backing up if you're not doing so already.
--

Brian - Virginia, USA - Windows 10, 64-Bit, Version 22H2, Build 19045  

If you cannot or will not imagine the results of your actions, there’s no way you can act morally or responsibly.  Little kids can’t do it; babies are morally monsters — completely greedy. Their imagination has to be trained into foresight and empathy.

         ~ Ursula LeGuin, 2005 Interview in The Guardian