Windows Help
 
Forums: » Register « |  User CP |  Games |  Calendar |  Members |  FAQs |  Sitemap |  Support | 
User Name:
Password:
Remember me
Go Back   Dev Shed Forums > Operating Systems > Windows Help
Reload this Page

Is it possible to wipe a hard disk using only software?

Discuss Is it possible to wipe a hard disk using only software? in the Windows Help forum on Dev Shed.
Is it possible to wipe a hard disk using only software? Windows Help forum discussing tips, tricks, configurations, and more. Microsoft Windows is one of the most popular operating systems due to its ease of use.

Reply
Add This Thread To:
  Del.icio.us   Digg   Google   Spurl   Blink   Furl   Simpy   Y! MyWeb 
« Previous Thread | Next Thread »  
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
 
Unread Dev Shed Forums Sponsor:
SlickEdit: Code in over 40 languages across 7 platforms. SlickEdit’s unmatched power, speed, and flexibility allows even the most accomplished developers to write better code faster. Download a free trial today!
  #1  
Old August 12th, 2003, 10:48 PM
drgroove's Avatar
drgroove drgroove is offline
pushing envelopes, not pencils
Dev Shed God 2nd Plane (6000 - 6499 posts)
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,224 drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level)drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level)drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level)drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level)drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level)drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level)drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level)drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level) 
Time spent in forums: 1 Day 4 h 34 m 57 sec
Reputation Power: 174
Is it possible to wipe a hard disk using only software?
I have a completely dead IBM thinkpad, that will not respond to any boot disk I've used - Windows MSDOS, 98, 2K, XP - or Linux, for that matter. It also will not respond to the IBM recovery CD. This thinkpad died 1/2way through an XP install, and hasn't come back. (I've tried flashing the CMOS, et al)

Is it possible to wipe the hard disk using only software? Or, is it easy enough to crack the case and wipe the drive... and if so, how? I'm not much of a 'hardware' person, really only software...

Any advice is appreciated.
__________________
Give a person code, and they'll hack for a day; Teach them how to code, and they'll hack forever.
Analyze twice; hack once.
The world's first existential ITIL question: If a change is released into production without a ticket to track it,
was it actually released?

About DrGroove: ITIL-Certified IT Process Engineer - Enterprise Application Architect -
Freelance IT Journalist - Devshed Moderator - Funk Bassist Extraordinaire
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old August 12th, 2003, 11:03 PM
icrf's Avatar
icrf icrf is offline
Perl Monkey
Dev Shed Intermediate (1500 - 1999 posts)
  
Join Date: May 2003
Location: the far end of town where the Grickle-grass grows
Posts: 1,856 icrf User rank is Second Lieutenant (5000 - 10000 Reputation Level)icrf User rank is Second Lieutenant (5000 - 10000 Reputation Level)icrf User rank is Second Lieutenant (5000 - 10000 Reputation Level)icrf User rank is Second Lieutenant (5000 - 10000 Reputation Level)icrf User rank is Second Lieutenant (5000 - 10000 Reputation Level)icrf User rank is Second Lieutenant (5000 - 10000 Reputation Level)icrf User rank is Second Lieutenant (5000 - 10000 Reputation Level) 
Time spent in forums: 4 Days 10 h 28 m 31 sec
Reputation Power: 103
Send a message via AIM to icrf
I'm not sure I follow, are you surplusing the machine and need the data off the drive before throwing it? I knew a guy that did that kind of stuff. Screwdrivers and a hammer, made damn sure nothing could be read (well, within reason).

If it's not booting off a floppy and you're still trying to install windows, I think it's a lost cause. Wiping the drive won't help you boot if the bios won't post.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old August 13th, 2003, 08:29 AM
drgroove's Avatar
drgroove drgroove is offline
pushing envelopes, not pencils
Dev Shed God 2nd Plane (6000 - 6499 posts)
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,224 drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level)drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level)drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level)drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level)drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level)drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level)drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level)drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level) 
Time spent in forums: 1 Day 4 h 34 m 57 sec
Reputation Power: 174
Yeah, I think this computer might be totally hosed. I was trying to upgrade it as a fav to a friend...

So, your assessment is that if I can't get into BIOS, its completely fscked?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old August 13th, 2003, 01:22 PM
icrf's Avatar
icrf icrf is offline
Perl Monkey
Dev Shed Intermediate (1500 - 1999 posts)
  
Join Date: May 2003
Location: the far end of town where the Grickle-grass grows
Posts: 1,856 icrf User rank is Second Lieutenant (5000 - 10000 Reputation Level)icrf User rank is Second Lieutenant (5000 - 10000 Reputation Level)icrf User rank is Second Lieutenant (5000 - 10000 Reputation Level)icrf User rank is Second Lieutenant (5000 - 10000 Reputation Level)icrf User rank is Second Lieutenant (5000 - 10000 Reputation Level)icrf User rank is Second Lieutenant (5000 - 10000 Reputation Level)icrf User rank is Second Lieutenant (5000 - 10000 Reputation Level) 
Time spent in forums: 4 Days 10 h 28 m 31 sec
Reputation Power: 103
Send a message via AIM to icrf
That'd be my guess, bios points to boot devices, be it floppy or hard drive, and if it can't do that, it'll likely never boot again.

If it's just the bios, some places will reflash it for a price, but i'm not sure how to make sure that's the problem before throwing $40 at something like that.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old August 13th, 2003, 09:24 PM
drgroove's Avatar
drgroove drgroove is offline
pushing envelopes, not pencils
Dev Shed God 2nd Plane (6000 - 6499 posts)
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,224 drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level)drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level)drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level)drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level)drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level)drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level)drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level)drgroove User rank is First Lieutenant (10000 - 20000 Reputation Level) 
Time spent in forums: 1 Day 4 h 34 m 57 sec
Reputation Power: 174
What does reflashing the BIOS involve? Is that something I can even attempt, or not?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old August 15th, 2003, 08:41 PM
mojosoupus mojosoupus is offline
Contributing User
Dev Shed Newbie (0 - 499 posts)
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 58 mojosoupus User rank is Just a Lowly Private (1 - 20 Reputation Level) 
Time spent in forums: < 1 sec
Reputation Power: 5
So you can't get into BIOS? The procedure for flashing the BIOS varies. Usually involves moving a jumper, then moving it back. Before you get too involved, decide how much your time is worth, then look at the computer in your hands and ask yourself how much it would be worth even if it were running like new.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old August 16th, 2003, 12:23 AM
John5788's Avatar
John5788 John5788 is offline
Contributing User
Dev Shed Newbie (0 - 499 posts)
  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: 127.0.0.1
Posts: 442 John5788 User rank is Corporal (100 - 500 Reputation Level)John5788 User rank is Corporal (100 - 500 Reputation Level)John5788 User rank is Corporal (100 - 500 Reputation Level)John5788 User rank is Corporal (100 - 500 Reputation Level) 
Time spent in forums: 2 h 10 m 16 sec
Reputation Power: 7
Send a message via ICQ to John5788 Send a message via AIM to John5788 Send a message via Yahoo to John5788
Re: Is it possible to wipe a hard disk using only software?
Quote:
Originally posted by drgroove
Is it possible to wipe the hard disk using only software? Or, is it easy enough to crack the case and wipe the drive... and if so, how? I'm not much of a 'hardware' person, really only software...


eh maybe try passing a magnet near the drive
__________________
John5788
EMail: john5788@x5788.net
URL: http://www.x5788.net
AIM: John57881, John57883
ICQ: 74077537
MSN: John@5788.zzn.com
YIM: John5788
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old August 16th, 2003, 12:55 AM
mojosoupus mojosoupus is offline
Contributing User
Dev Shed Newbie (0 - 499 posts)
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 58 mojosoupus User rank is Just a Lowly Private (1 - 20 Reputation Level) 
Time spent in forums: < 1 sec
Reputation Power: 5
Reply With Quote
Reply

Viewing: Dev Shed Forums > Operating Systems > Windows Help > Is it possible to wipe a hard disk using only software?

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Thread Tools  Search this Thread 
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes  Rate This Thread 
Linear Mode Linear Mode
Rate This Thread:


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
View Your Warnings | New Posts | Latest News | Latest Threads | Shoutbox
Forum Jump


Forums: » Register « |  User CP |  Games |  Calendar |  Members |  FAQs |  Sitemap |  Support | 
  
 





© 2003-2008 by Developer Shed. All rights reserved. DS Cluster 2 hosted by Hostway.