It's simple. I slap 'em around a bit, torture 'em, make their lives hell...Sure, the nice guys'll run away,but every now and then you'll find a prince like Spike who gets off on it.

Buffy ,'Get It Done'


Buffistechnology 2: You Made Her So She Growls?  

Got a question about technology? Ask it here. Discussion of hardware, software, TiVos, multi-region DVDs, Windows, Macs, LINUX, hand-helds, iPods, anything tech related. Better than any helpdesk!


tommyrot - Nov 21, 2004 1:29:29 pm PST #78 of 10003
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.

This [link] link explains how to use the 'format' command to wipe a drive clean.

Other sources say that 'format' is not good enough if you want to completely wipe a drive clean with no possibility of a determined person being able to restore the data. If you're really nervous about someone getting the data it's a little more complicated. You'll need special software to wipe the drive, or else maybe run 'format' seven or more times.

----

yeah, x-posty, but check the link above - you should use the 'u' switch to force an unconditional format.

eta:

format /u

or is that only used on floppys?

eta: one example of special erasing software - I have no idea if this program is good:

[link]


DCJensen - Nov 21, 2004 1:48:53 pm PST #79 of 10003
All is well that ends in pizza.

Personally I'd use fdisk and delete the partition, then repartition, then format....


Sue - Nov 21, 2004 1:50:45 pm PST #80 of 10003
hip deep in pie

NiMH are nickel metal hydride, not alkalines.

I think they're often marketing ate rechargeable alkalines, or equivalent, I guess.


Sue - Nov 21, 2004 1:52:31 pm PST #81 of 10003
hip deep in pie

Oh, and thanks for the adivce. I don't think I'll go too nuts trying to reformat too many times. I don't think there's any truly sensitive information on there that wouldn't be out of date, but I do want to wipe it once, at least.


DXMachina - Nov 21, 2004 1:54:01 pm PST #82 of 10003
You always do this. We get tipsy, and you take advantage of my love of the scientific method.

Equivalent maybe, but they would never be marketed as alkalines, because they aren't alkalines. It's a different chemistry.


Sue - Nov 21, 2004 2:59:36 pm PST #83 of 10003
hip deep in pie

Well that was easy. I booted the computer up, and it's saying that no hard disk is installed. Either my brother ripped it out when I asked him if he wanted it a few years ago, or sitting in my closet for four years has killed it.


Sue - Nov 21, 2004 3:03:42 pm PST #84 of 10003
hip deep in pie

While we're on the subject of rechargeable batteries. I have two sets of Duracell NiMH AA batteries. One set I bought with the charger, and one I bought later. The later set always gets hot when I charge them. The original set does not. I can't see any difference in the batteries other than the change in the packaging design. Should I worry?


thegrommit - Nov 21, 2004 3:23:24 pm PST #85 of 10003
Um.

It seems a popular ad network was compromised yesterday, so those using IE may want to run a quick virus scan today.

eta - more detail


libkitty - Nov 22, 2004 11:15:23 am PST #86 of 10003
Embrace the idea that we are the leaders we've been looking for. Grace Lee Boggs

Saturday, my internet connection at home went kerpluey, and I'm hoping someone here can provide some advice. I'm using Linux (Fedora), and my guru/advisor recently left town (the nerve!).

The sitch:

I tried to connect to the internet. The computer dialed and connected normally. Immediately upon connecting (before doing anything silly like pulling up a page), it hung up and re-dialed. This appears to be an endless loop until I cancel. I have no idea what could be the problem. I used it just fine Friday night. Any ideas?


tommyrot - Nov 22, 2004 11:39:38 am PST #87 of 10003
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.

I tried to connect to the internet. The computer dialed and connected normally. Immediately upon connecting (before doing anything silly like pulling up a page), it hung up and re-dialed. This appears to be an endless loop until I cancel. I have no idea what could be the problem. I used it just fine Friday night. Any ideas?

There are guids online on how to debug a linux ppp connnection to an ISP. I had to mess with this once, but that was a while ago so I don't remember much.

Perhaps your ISP just changed something in the way their login works? Sadly, most ISPs don't care if Linux users have problems connecting, so you'll have to debug the problem on your own.