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Yeah, when data is "deleted" it isn't physically erased off the magnetic disks since that would take time and effort, changing all the bits to zero. Instead it just marks blocks of bits as "overwritable". When reformatting I am not sure, but I think the file allocation table (in a FAT system) is simply reset and the whole disk is marked overwritable. However, until new data is placed over the old, some of it should still be recoverable by scanning the discs with special software that doesnt require the data to be formatted.
This is why there is a market for "secure erase" programs that take ages to delete something because they actually take time to physically overwrite every bit on the magnetic disk.
[ 04-04-2004, 03:43 PM: Message edited by: Vaskez ]
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Too set in his ways to ever relate
If he could set that aside, there'd be heaven to pay
But weathered and aged, time swept him to grave
Love conquers all? Damn, I'd say that area's gray
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