Vista - write zeros

01-22-2008

Hello Group,
I've been trying to write zeros to my hard drive using Western Digitals
utility. I get stopped by a message that says the volume cant be erased
because that's where my operating system is. I've had no response from WD
tech. So, I'm looking for some third party utility that will write zeros.
I'm on home premium.
Any ideas will be appreciated.
Bob

01-22-2008

"Bob Hansen" <awildtrout@xxxxxx> wrote:

Quote:

> I've been trying to write zeros to my hard drive using Western
> Digitals utility. I get stopped by a message that says the volume
> cant be erased because that's where my operating system is. I've
> had no response from WD tech. So, I'm looking for some third party
> utility that will write zeros. I'm on home premium.
> Any ideas will be appreciated.

You can't overwrite an OS from within itself, you need to boot into DOS
using the WD CD or a floppy drive.

--
XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
The Usenet Improvement Project:
http://improve-usenet.org

01-22-2008

Well you cant erase your win, that'll be like cutting off the branch whilst
your stitting on it - oops
You can write zeros to free space
You can do all manor of things with your hd if you boot from an appropriate
floppy / cd

"Bob Hansen" <awildtrout@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:eWFV%23jRXIHA.1204@xxxxxx

Quote:

> Hello Group,
> I've been trying to write zeros to my hard drive using Western Digitals
> utility. I get stopped by a message that says the volume cant be erased
> because that's where my operating system is. I've had no response from WD
> tech. So, I'm looking for some third party utility that will write zeros.
> I'm on home premium.
> Any ideas will be appreciated.
> Bob

01-22-2008

Thanks for your responses, I forgot to mention that I don't have a floppy
drive.

"DL" <address@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:ORykM2RXIHA.4532@xxxxxx

Quote:

> Well you cant erase your win, that'll be like cutting off the branch
> whilst your stitting on it - oops
> You can write zeros to free space
> You can do all manor of things with your hd if you boot from an
> appropriate floppy / cd
>
> "Bob Hansen" <awildtrout@xxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:eWFV%23jRXIHA.1204@xxxxxx

Quote:

>> Hello Group,
>> I've been trying to write zeros to my hard drive using Western Digitals
>> utility. I get stopped by a message that says the volume cant be erased
>> because that's where my operating system is. I've had no response from WD
>> tech. So, I'm looking for some third party utility that will write zeros.
>> I'm on home premium.
>> Any ideas will be appreciated.
>> Bob

>
>

01-22-2008

Bob,
If you have a Windows CD you can boot with it and delete all partitions.
That will give you a clean drive to play with.

Jerry

"Bob Hansen" <awildtrout@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:eWFV#jRXIHA.1204@xxxxxx

Quote:

> Hello Group,
> I've been trying to write zeros to my hard drive using Western Digitals
> utility. I get stopped by a message that says the volume cant be erased
> because that's where my operating system is. I've had no response from WD
> tech. So, I'm looking for some third party utility that will write zeros.
> I'm on home premium.
> Any ideas will be appreciated.
> Bob

01-22-2008

"Bob Hansen" <awildtrout@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:OucnuKSXIHA.5716@xxxxxx

Quote:

> Thanks for your responses, I forgot to mention that I don't have a floppy
> drive.
>
> "DL" <address@xxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:ORykM2RXIHA.4532@xxxxxx

Quote:

>> Well you cant erase your win, that'll be like cutting off the branch
>> whilst your stitting on it - oops
>> You can write zeros to free space
>> You can do all manor of things with your hd if you boot from an
>> appropriate floppy / cd
>>
>> "Bob Hansen" <awildtrout@xxxxxx> wrote in message
>> news:eWFV%23jRXIHA.1204@xxxxxx

Quote:

>>> Hello Group,
>>> I've been trying to write zeros to my hard drive using Western Digitals
>>> utility. I get stopped by a message that says the volume cant be erased
>>> because that's where my operating system is. I've had no response from
>>> WD tech. So, I'm looking for some third party utility that will write
>>> zeros. I'm on home premium.
>>> Any ideas will be appreciated.
>>> Bob

>>
>>

>

You can download a CD version from here..

http://support.wdc.com/download/?cxml=n&pid=999&swid=30

--
Mike Hall - MVP
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

01-22-2008

Thanks Mike, this looks like my best shot so far.

"Mike Hall - MVP" <mikehall@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:%23k2qYTSXIHA.4448@xxxxxx

Quote:

> "Bob Hansen" <awildtrout@xxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:OucnuKSXIHA.5716@xxxxxx

Quote:

>> Thanks for your responses, I forgot to mention that I don't have a floppy
>> drive.
>>
>> "DL" <address@xxxxxx> wrote in message
>> news:ORykM2RXIHA.4532@xxxxxx

Quote:

>>> Well you cant erase your win, that'll be like cutting off the branch
>>> whilst your stitting on it - oops
>>> You can write zeros to free space
>>> You can do all manor of things with your hd if you boot from an
>>> appropriate floppy / cd
>>>
>>> "Bob Hansen" <awildtrout@xxxxxx> wrote in message
>>> news:eWFV%23jRXIHA.1204@xxxxxx
>>>> Hello Group,
>>>> I've been trying to write zeros to my hard drive using Western Digitals
>>>> utility. I get stopped by a message that says the volume cant be erased
>>>> because that's where my operating system is. I've had no response from
>>>> WD tech. So, I'm looking for some third party utility that will write
>>>> zeros. I'm on home premium.
>>>> Any ideas will be appreciated.
>>>> Bob
>>>
>>>

>>

>
>
> You can download a CD version from here..
>
> http://support.wdc.com/download/?cxml=n&pid=999&swid=30
>
> --
> Mike Hall - MVP
> http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
>
>
>
>

01-22-2008

Hello Bob,

How did you burn the CDs? You need to use the burn image to disc function
in your burning program (Nero, Roxio, etc), to get a bootable CD. The
inbuilt burning in Windows cannot burn .iso images to disc.

--
Jane, not plain

64 bit enabled :-)
Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
MVP Windows Shell/User

"Bob Hansen" <awildtrout@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:eFBMm3TXIHA.3940@xxxxxx

Quote:

> So, now I have created 2 CDs with the WD Diag504 utility on each of them
> in my 2 DVD drives. I've changed the boot order in setup so a CD rom drive
> is set to boot first. But it still boots to Windows. Part of it is that I
> cant match up what I see in setup with my drives. They are just listed as
> SATA 1, SATA 2, etc. Not sure which is which.
> Not sure what my next move will be. Appreciate all your input.
>

01-22-2008

Thanks Jane, I'm trying that right now.

"Jane C" <janecolman@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:ONej$IUXIHA.4476@xxxxxx

Quote:

> Hello Bob,
>
> How did you burn the CDs? You need to use the burn image to disc function
> in your burning program (Nero, Roxio, etc), to get a bootable CD. The
> inbuilt burning in Windows cannot burn .iso images to disc.
>
> --
> Jane, not plain

64 bit enabled :-)
> Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
> MVP Windows Shell/User
>
> "Bob Hansen" <awildtrout@xxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:eFBMm3TXIHA.3940@xxxxxx

Quote:

>> So, now I have created 2 CDs with the WD Diag504 utility on each of them
>> in my 2 DVD drives. I've changed the boot order in setup so a CD rom
>> drive is set to boot first. But it still boots to Windows. Part of it is
>> that I cant match up what I see in setup with my drives. They are just
>> listed as SATA 1, SATA 2, etc. Not sure which is which.
>> Not sure what my next move will be. Appreciate all your input.
>>

>

01-22-2008

Bob Hansen wrote:

Quote:

> Hello Group,
> I've been trying to write zeros to my hard drive using Western
> Digitals utility. I get stopped by a message that says the volume
> cant be erased because that's where my operating system is. I've had
> no response from WD tech. So, I'm looking for some third party
> utility that will write zeros. I'm on home premium.
> Any ideas will be appreciated.

You know, don't you, that writing zeros only removes (approximately) half of
your personal stuff.

01-22-2008	#1 (permalink)
Bob Hansen n/a posts	write zeros Hello Group, I've been trying to write zeros to my hard drive using Western Digitals utility. I get stopped by a message that says the volume cant be erased because that's where my operating system is. I've had no response from WD tech. So, I'm looking for some third party utility that will write zeros. I'm on home premium. Any ideas will be appreciated. Bob
My System Specs

01-22-2008	#2 (permalink)
XS11E n/a posts	Re: write zeros "Bob Hansen" <awildtrout@xxxxxx> wrote: Quote: > I've been trying to write zeros to my hard drive using Western > Digitals utility. I get stopped by a message that says the volume > cant be erased because that's where my operating system is. I've > had no response from WD tech. So, I'm looking for some third party > utility that will write zeros. I'm on home premium. > Any ideas will be appreciated. You can't overwrite an OS from within itself, you need to boot into DOS using the WD CD or a floppy drive. -- XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups The Usenet Improvement Project: http://improve-usenet.org
My System Specs

01-22-2008	#3 (permalink)
DL n/a posts	Re: write zeros Well you cant erase your win, that'll be like cutting off the branch whilst your stitting on it - oops You can write zeros to free space You can do all manor of things with your hd if you boot from an appropriate floppy / cd "Bob Hansen" <awildtrout@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:eWFV%23jRXIHA.1204@xxxxxx Quote: > Hello Group, > I've been trying to write zeros to my hard drive using Western Digitals > utility. I get stopped by a message that says the volume cant be erased > because that's where my operating system is. I've had no response from WD > tech. So, I'm looking for some third party utility that will write zeros. > I'm on home premium. > Any ideas will be appreciated. > Bob
My System Specs

01-22-2008	#4 (permalink)
Bob Hansen n/a posts	Re: write zeros Thanks for your responses, I forgot to mention that I don't have a floppy drive. "DL" <address@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:ORykM2RXIHA.4532@xxxxxx Quote: > Well you cant erase your win, that'll be like cutting off the branch > whilst your stitting on it - oops > You can write zeros to free space > You can do all manor of things with your hd if you boot from an > appropriate floppy / cd > > "Bob Hansen" <awildtrout@xxxxxx> wrote in message > news:eWFV%23jRXIHA.1204@xxxxxx Quote: >> Hello Group, >> I've been trying to write zeros to my hard drive using Western Digitals >> utility. I get stopped by a message that says the volume cant be erased >> because that's where my operating system is. I've had no response from WD >> tech. So, I'm looking for some third party utility that will write zeros. >> I'm on home premium. >> Any ideas will be appreciated. >> Bob > >
My System Specs

01-22-2008	#5 (permalink)
JerryM n/a posts	Re: write zeros Bob, If you have a Windows CD you can boot with it and delete all partitions. That will give you a clean drive to play with. Jerry "Bob Hansen" <awildtrout@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:eWFV#jRXIHA.1204@xxxxxx Quote: > Hello Group, > I've been trying to write zeros to my hard drive using Western Digitals > utility. I get stopped by a message that says the volume cant be erased > because that's where my operating system is. I've had no response from WD > tech. So, I'm looking for some third party utility that will write zeros. > I'm on home premium. > Any ideas will be appreciated. > Bob
My System Specs

01-22-2008	#6 (permalink)
Mike Hall - MVP n/a posts	Re: write zeros "Bob Hansen" <awildtrout@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:OucnuKSXIHA.5716@xxxxxx Quote: > Thanks for your responses, I forgot to mention that I don't have a floppy > drive. > > "DL" <address@xxxxxx> wrote in message > news:ORykM2RXIHA.4532@xxxxxx Quote: >> Well you cant erase your win, that'll be like cutting off the branch >> whilst your stitting on it - oops >> You can write zeros to free space >> You can do all manor of things with your hd if you boot from an >> appropriate floppy / cd >> >> "Bob Hansen" <awildtrout@xxxxxx> wrote in message >> news:eWFV%23jRXIHA.1204@xxxxxx Quote: >>> Hello Group, >>> I've been trying to write zeros to my hard drive using Western Digitals >>> utility. I get stopped by a message that says the volume cant be erased >>> because that's where my operating system is. I've had no response from >>> WD tech. So, I'm looking for some third party utility that will write >>> zeros. I'm on home premium. >>> Any ideas will be appreciated. >>> Bob >> >> > You can download a CD version from here.. http://support.wdc.com/download/?cxml=n&pid=999&swid=30 -- Mike Hall - MVP http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
My System Specs

01-22-2008	#7 (permalink)
Bob Hansen n/a posts	Re: write zeros Thanks Mike, this looks like my best shot so far. "Mike Hall - MVP" <mikehall@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:%23k2qYTSXIHA.4448@xxxxxx Quote: > "Bob Hansen" <awildtrout@xxxxxx> wrote in message > news:OucnuKSXIHA.5716@xxxxxx Quote: >> Thanks for your responses, I forgot to mention that I don't have a floppy >> drive. >> >> "DL" <address@xxxxxx> wrote in message >> news:ORykM2RXIHA.4532@xxxxxx Quote: >>> Well you cant erase your win, that'll be like cutting off the branch >>> whilst your stitting on it - oops >>> You can write zeros to free space >>> You can do all manor of things with your hd if you boot from an >>> appropriate floppy / cd >>> >>> "Bob Hansen" <awildtrout@xxxxxx> wrote in message >>> news:eWFV%23jRXIHA.1204@xxxxxx >>>> Hello Group, >>>> I've been trying to write zeros to my hard drive using Western Digitals >>>> utility. I get stopped by a message that says the volume cant be erased >>>> because that's where my operating system is. I've had no response from >>>> WD tech. So, I'm looking for some third party utility that will write >>>> zeros. I'm on home premium. >>>> Any ideas will be appreciated. >>>> Bob >>> >>> >> > > > You can download a CD version from here.. > > http://support.wdc.com/download/?cxml=n&pid=999&swid=30 > > -- > Mike Hall - MVP > http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx > > > >
My System Specs

01-22-2008	#8 (permalink)
Jane C n/a posts	Re: write zeros Hello Bob, How did you burn the CDs? You need to use the burn image to disc function in your burning program (Nero, Roxio, etc), to get a bootable CD. The inbuilt burning in Windows cannot burn .iso images to disc. -- Jane, not plain 64 bit enabled :-) Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-) MVP Windows Shell/User "Bob Hansen" <awildtrout@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:eFBMm3TXIHA.3940@xxxxxx Quote: > So, now I have created 2 CDs with the WD Diag504 utility on each of them > in my 2 DVD drives. I've changed the boot order in setup so a CD rom drive > is set to boot first. But it still boots to Windows. Part of it is that I > cant match up what I see in setup with my drives. They are just listed as > SATA 1, SATA 2, etc. Not sure which is which. > Not sure what my next move will be. Appreciate all your input. >
My System Specs

01-22-2008	#9 (permalink)
Bob Hansen n/a posts	Re: write zeros Thanks Jane, I'm trying that right now. "Jane C" <janecolman@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:ONej$IUXIHA.4476@xxxxxx Quote: > Hello Bob, > > How did you burn the CDs? You need to use the burn image to disc function > in your burning program (Nero, Roxio, etc), to get a bootable CD. The > inbuilt burning in Windows cannot burn .iso images to disc. > > -- > Jane, not plain 64 bit enabled :-) > Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-) > MVP Windows Shell/User > > "Bob Hansen" <awildtrout@xxxxxx> wrote in message > news:eFBMm3TXIHA.3940@xxxxxx Quote: >> So, now I have created 2 CDs with the WD Diag504 utility on each of them >> in my 2 DVD drives. I've changed the boot order in setup so a CD rom >> drive is set to boot first. But it still boots to Windows. Part of it is >> that I cant match up what I see in setup with my drives. They are just >> listed as SATA 1, SATA 2, etc. Not sure which is which. >> Not sure what my next move will be. Appreciate all your input. >> >
My System Specs

01-22-2008	#10 (permalink)
HeyBub n/a posts	Re: write zeros Bob Hansen wrote: Quote: > Hello Group, > I've been trying to write zeros to my hard drive using Western > Digitals utility. I get stopped by a message that says the volume > cant be erased because that's where my operating system is. I've had > no response from WD tech. So, I'm looking for some third party > utility that will write zeros. I'm on home premium. > Any ideas will be appreciated. You know, don't you, that writing zeros only removes (approximately) half of your personal stuff.
My System Specs

Similar Threads
Thread	Forum
Cannot write to drive "Media is write protected"	Vista hardware & devices
how to get powershell to write to event log or write a log file?	PowerShell
Write-Error doesn't write anyting	PowerShell
The disk is write-protected. Remove the write-protection or...	Vista General
newline in Write-Debug or Write-Verbose	PowerShell