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Stompy · 09-15-2006, 07:02 AM

1. I'm thinking about selling my 30GB iPod, but since I've used it to store random files (backup and otherwise), I want to use DBAN to do a DoD 7-pass wipe on it.

If I do that, will the iPod cease to function because of files required to be there, or will the host software see that it's a newly formatted Fat32 and create everything it needs? In other words: is there anything critical for the iPod's functionality that I need to back up?

2. Non relating to iPods - someone mentioned that even if you wipe a disk with a 7-pass wipe, data is still recoverable. This got a "WTF, no way.. HOW?!" response out of me. Is this possible?

It was explained to me as a sort of "disk write" algorithm and that if someone knew the algorithm of the software used to write those junk bits, it could be reversed. This made no sense because this isn't encryption, or algorithm placed on the data itself.

For example, if you encrypt "apple", it could become "u3*38", and if you know how to undo it, yes, you will get the original value of "apple". But if you have "apple" and make it "00000" .. then "11111" then "8vcjw" - how in the WORLD would you originally know that it contained "apple"?

09-15-2006, 07:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
Stompy Banned from being Banned Location: Donkey	DoD wiping an iPod (a two parter) 1. I'm thinking about selling my 30GB iPod, but since I've used it to store random files (backup and otherwise), I want to use DBAN to do a DoD 7-pass wipe on it. If I do that, will the iPod cease to function because of files required to be there, or will the host software see that it's a newly formatted Fat32 and create everything it needs? In other words: is there anything critical for the iPod's functionality that I need to back up? 2. Non relating to iPods - someone mentioned that even if you wipe a disk with a 7-pass wipe, data is still recoverable. This got a "WTF, no way.. HOW?!" response out of me. Is this possible? It was explained to me as a sort of "disk write" algorithm and that if someone knew the algorithm of the software used to write those junk bits, it could be reversed. This made no sense because this isn't encryption, or algorithm placed on the data itself. For example, if you encrypt "apple", it could become "u3*38", and if you know how to undo it, yes, you will get the original value of "apple". But if you have "apple" and make it "00000" .. then "11111" then "8vcjw" - how in the WORLD would you originally know that it contained "apple"? __________________ I love lamp.