Looking for a good, free, complete low-level formatter

[EugenyG]

After I buy my new computer, I'm going to sell my current one (to the general public). I have used my computer for financial transactions and other private information, and I want to be sure nothing is recoverable from the hard disk (at least by equipment accessible to an ordinary person).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A usual format, therefore, won't do. I'm looking for software that will allow me to do a zero-filling session on the hard disk (advanced multi-layer wiping features are preferred, but not absolutely nessecary, refer to "ordinary person" note).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't want it to run frm the very hard disk it needs to wipe, because then the wipe will be incomplete (leaving the space for the program and the minimal OS on the disk). So the wiper needs to be able to run from a diskette / CD (with it's own disk-accessing OS), or at least from another hard drive when the current one is mounted as a slave. I'm going to do a regular format before a low-level one, so direct disk access (denied in NTFS) shouldn't be an issue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So if anyone knows good, FREE low-level disk wipers, please respond. I'd also appreciate any tips that you think I should know, or if you find anything technically wrong from what I've written so far.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.S.: I'm obviously well aware ALL disk data will be permanently removed after this, that's why I want to do it in the first place, so no need to warn me about that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.P.S.: My current disk came as an OEM when I bought it, and I do _NOT_ have a low-level formatter included in the purchase package; the only disk I got for my HDD doesn't have a low-level formatter feature in it. My disk manufacturer is Maxtor.

[zonda]

Err... I don't know of any but i you are going to resell it make sure the user knows that there is no operating system installed in it, not that they are getting jipped...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, in that case that your going to put a OS on it, and then sell it... well that is considered illegal by one of the thousands government oganizations which has some 3 letter shortening of the name... Since you would be violating some user terms of agreemnts end user lisence blah blah blah...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not that I am against it, I am just giving you a heads up

[EugenyG]

After the format, I'll put my current O/S on it (Windows XP Home Edition). Since I'll sell it together with my Windows XP disk, and not have any other copies left of the program, I'm essentially transferring ownership, and it's not illegal in any way (at least in Canada). In fact, trying to make such a transfer illegal would violate a LOT of laws (in the U.S. it would violate the Constitution).

[Pyro]

http://www.killdisk.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've never used it, but from what I've heard it's a great program. It's not strictly free, but the free version should do everything you need it to do.

[Spiralshape]

I haven't used any of that sort of program myself, but I hear it's a good idea to run them several times to make sure your data won't be recoverable.