Hi, Just to check.. I want to format a hard disk (via a sata dock) to remove all data. Now I don't actually have any viruses (am just paranoid!) but a standard format would clear all trace of viruses excluding boot sector types - is this correct? Would I have to delete the existing partition (only has one) to completely remove all threats? I know `Boot and Nuke` would securely erase everything but it takes quite some time. Thanks, Q.
format will remove all partitions, data , and structure providing you format the whole disk not just an individual partition. Secure erase will delete and format the disk but also write 0 to the entire drive making information retrieval difficult
Thanks, but I thought a format leaves the MBR intact and that's where boot sector viruses live? I'm in way an expert on this, hence the OP
When you do a fresh install of an OS the MBR is overwritten so no virus would be preserved as far as im aware
Yup, that's what I thought but I'm just going to be using my sata dock to format and keep the drive for future back ups or something...
just using windows disk management and delete the disk and format and partition for backup. job done no worries
