DOS.2C OS.2F2 and Windows Disk formatting
ms-dos 6.22a format /u switch failing overwrite content of partition
format command: under ms-dos, pc dos, os/2 , microsoft windows, disk formatting can performed format command. format program asks confirmation beforehand prevent accidental removal of data, versions of dos have undocumented /autotest option; if used, usual confirmation skipped , format begins right away. wm/formatc macro virus uses command format drive c: document opened.
unconditional format: there /u parameter performs unconditional format under circumstances overwrites entire partition, preventing recovery of data through software. note /u switch works reliably floppy diskettes (see image right). technically because unless /q used, floppies low level formatted in addition high-level formatted. under circumstances hard drive partitions, however, /u switch merely prevents creation of unformat information in partition formatted while otherwise leaving partition s contents entirely intact (still on disk marked deleted). in such cases, user s data remain ripe recovery specialist tools such encase or disk editors. reliance upon /u secure overwriting of hard drive partitions therefore inadvisable, , purpose-built tools such dban should considered instead.
overwriting: in windows vista , upwards non-quick format overwrite goes. not case in windows xp , below.
os/2: under os/2, if use /l parameter, specifies long format, format overwrite entire partition or logical drive. doing enhances ability of chkdsk recover files.
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