[dba-Tech] Retrieving Deleted Files off a hard drive

Jon Tydda Jon.Tydda at alcontrol.co.uk
Fri Aug 1 04:37:44 CDT 2003


McAfee Shredder does that - passes over the disk 7 times writing junk and
erasing it on each pass, making it unrecoverable (they claim).
 
 
Jon
-----Original Message-----
From: Erwin Craps [mailto:Erwin.Craps at ithelps.be]
Sent: 01 August 2003 10:37
To: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues
Subject: RE: [dba-Tech] Retrieving Deleted Files off a hard drive


Formattting a drive will only remove the FAT (File Allocation Tabe), that
the index of where the files are positoned on the drive.
Formattig does alos put some positionmakers on the disk (that why you loose
useable data on the disk) to find it way on the disk.
 
It like a citymap (simply stated) You have an index saying that stree x is
positioned in the square B7.
Formatting removes the index (creates an empty one) and puts a new grid (the
quares A7) in pace.
But the data of the old streets are still there.
 So it is just a question to put to put the pieces togheter and build a new
index (simply stated).
Custers that are overwritten by the format or by new data will corruot the
old file but the rest of the file is still readable.
 
There are companies that can rebuild your disk, within 30 minutes, depending
on the size and fragmentaion.
 
Only way to clrear a disk is to write random data on each cluster thus
distroying the old data.
there does exesits software to do that.
 
Erwin
 

-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
Van: Martin Reid [mailto:mwp.reid at qub.ac.uk] 
Verzonden: vrijdag 1 augustus 2003 11:05
Aan: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues
Onderwerp: Re: [dba-Tech] Retrieving Deleted Files off a hard drive


AFAIK unless you overwrite the data several time using specific software
then its possible to get most things back. One of our guys says the only way
to be totally sure is to melt down the HDD.
 
Martin

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Jon Tydda <mailto:Jon.Tydda at alcontrol.co.uk>  
To: 'Discussion of Hardware and  <mailto:dba-tech at databaseadvisors.com>
Software issues' 
Sent: Friday, August 01, 2003 9:45 AM
Subject: RE: [dba-Tech] Retrieving Deleted Files off a hard drive


I formatted a hard disk with windows 95 on it, then plugged it into a pc
running 98. I ran scandisk and all the files came back, so I guess format
ain't everything.


Jon 

-----Original Message----- 
From: Stoker, Kenneth E [ mailto:Kenneth.Stoker at pnl.gov
<mailto:Kenneth.Stoker at pnl.gov> ] 
Sent: 31 July 2003 20:50 
To: dba-Tech (E-mail) 
Subject: [dba-Tech] Retrieving Deleted Files off a hard drive 


Everyone, 

I recently had a discussion with a coworker about the subject of retrieving
deleted files off a hard drive.  We got on the subject because we are having
an audit on those company-owned computers systems that some staff may have
at home for business use.  He claims that any file can be reclaimed, even if
a defragmentation has been run.  I thought that once a disk has been
defragmented, those files were truly gone, if the anyone defragmented the
disk, the audit would basically be a waste of time.  Is this true?  The
computer security group here is, I'm sure, quite good, don't let any
limitations be considered in any advise returned to settle this score.  

If it is possible, does that also apply to a reformatted disk?  I would
think that a reformatted disk would be the ultimate cleanup, but that would
have me wondering now if a defragment doesn't work.  Which would cause some
serious concerns at this location as much of the stuff that I work with is
very sensitive and would make me wonder about correct processes when buying
a new machine and excessing the old one.

Thanks for your help in settling the discussion. 


Ken Stoker 
Technology Commercialization 
Information Systems Administrator 
PH: (509) 375-3758 
FAX: (509) 375-6731 
E-mail:  Kenneth.Stoker at pnl.gov 


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The information in this e-mail is confidential and may also be legally
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Registered Office: Templeborough House, Mill Close, Rotherham, S60 1BZ.
Registered in England and Wales No 4057291
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