Disc-Restored Hard-Drive/Info recoverable?

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ghostlog

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Jan 13, 2014
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Simple as that. Can people recover information from the computer on a hard drive that had a new copy of windows installed onto it with a disc?

Background: I recently traded my desktop for a laptop on Craigslist, and now my mother has me freaking out about this guy being able to go into some files and steal her and my identity. I put in a disc to install a new version of windows, thinking that was safe. So I came here hopefully for answers. Thank you in advanced.
 
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WyomingKnott
Technical answer: Yes. Only a full format or secure erase will wipe a drive completely.

Practical answer: Not bloody likely. Unless one has immense resources, data from blocks that have been overwritten with new data is not recoverable. The new install overwote a lot of blocks. Someone could, in theory, recover files from the other blocks, but the odds are that the install corrupted at least part of any file of interest. It's possible, but 50-50 even with a lot of effort.
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trekzone

trekzone

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Mar 31, 2014
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Hi,

That is possible if the person whom you traded with that desktop happen to be that savvy to dig out some useful personal information from your drive. But it still need enough work and time if that's the case and just don't think that's the only purpose for him to trade his laptop with your desktop...
 
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WyomingKnott

WyomingKnott

Legenda in Aeternum
Aug 29, 2006
13,249
3
51,960
Technical answer: Yes. Only a full format or secure erase will wipe a drive completely.

Practical answer: Not bloody likely. Unless one has immense resources, data from blocks that have been overwritten with new data is not recoverable. The new install overwote a lot of blocks. Someone could, in theory, recover files from the other blocks, but the odds are that the install corrupted at least part of any file of interest. It's possible, but 50-50 even with a lot of effort.
 
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