Hard Drive Formatting

[lvsb]

With all the recent media attention about copier hard drive security and storing of sensitive data. I have been tasked with researching what manufactures/models the hard drive can be formatted without losing necessary data such as system/control firmware files. Any information and insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You

[nivssluck]

In copier, I think it's not possible. If you will say desktops or laptops yes surely possible.

[jonhiker]

We have been running some trials, and with Ricoh products, you can remove the hard drive, do the format/overwrite thing, put the hard drive back into the copier, turn it on, and it works fine.

[OMD-227]

Same as Jonhiker, the newer Sharp's have the ability to format the HDD from within service mode, either a full HDD format, partial format, or just document filing/user area format of the HDD. Also, as above, physically removing the HDD and formatting it through a PC, then reinstalling it into the copier works as well.

[Stirton.M]

Most konica minolta machines, one touch, user box information is stored on the hard disks. You will need to backup this information first.

On our latest series, C360, C452-652 models, there is movie data that is written to the drives. This would require a firmware/ISW to rewrite the information.

[D_L_P]

I think some, but not all, Ricoh's can run fine if you format or even take it out altogether, it is just used as extra memory like a page file.

It was some time ago but when I plugged in a Canon HDD as a 2nd drive on my computer it had 7 or 8 partitions from D: to K:. There are only 3 that are for image data and if you knew which they were could probably can be formatted or wiped clean without affecting the system or firmware. From the service mode they are partitions 1, 2, and 3, but that doesn't mean anything since on the computer they had drive letters. I'll try and find out which 3 drive letters they are and let you know what I find.

[TheOwl]

Konica Minoltas can be done through the service mode by first doing a 'Physical Format' then followed by the 'Logical Format'.

Not 100% about the Toshibas as you can go through 'Assist Mode' and re-create the partitions on the HDD, but I reckon that you could still pull information of the drive after that.

If your customers are worried about this information, then I would suggest installing Data Overwrite / Data Scrambler / Data Encryption kits. Depending on the manufacturer as to what this is called but I believe that most if not all manufacturers offer some kind of protection there. These kits are designed to do the job of removing the HDD from the copier and running a wipe program across them. Saves you time because you don't have to physically remove the HDD and gives the customer on the fly protection in the case that an employee tries to remove the HDD for data recovery. Maybe even recommend to your sales team to offer one of the kits as standard install and just make sure that it is quoted in.

[ToshibaTech]

One thing that makes a difference on Toshibas and possibly other brands is that you have to reload FW if you take the HDD out and "wipe it" and reisntall it. This creates a problem for a dealer unable to reload or get service information on a particular make/model. Let's say that us the Toshiba dealer has a client we are replacing a Canon. We have no idea how to service a canon, reload FW, much less get FW if it is needed.

On the other hand if you just format a Toshiba drive from the service mode you don't have to load FW but based on the amount of time the format is taking when preformed... I'd guess it's just overwriting the FAT and not actually wiping the data.

[TheOwl]

Formatting a Toshiba HDD is a basic format and there after this has been performed, there would still be a chance that there is recoverable data. This isn't just the Toshibas though as most copier manufacturers use a quick format and not a low level format.

[lvsb]

Owl, I know all about the Data Overwrite Kits.
However the issue is when we sell a new unit, the machine we pull out might not be our product(different company/manufacturer...) and the customer wants their HDD cleaned before resale.
I am familiar with Ricoh, Kyocera and older Konica produtcs but looking for more info on Toshiba, Sharp, Panasonic and Cannon.

Thank you to everyone who has replyed you input is greatly appreciated.

[Paper_path]

The Toshibas can be reformatted from service mode, which will erase the user data from the machine. There is a service code that can be set as well to use AES encryption on the hard drive which is available on the new machines. They also have data overwite options.

On an ironic note, I've had a customer ask to have the HDD from a machine we picked up because she was concerned about the data on it; she proceeded to throw it into the garbage can next to the copier. Machines are only as secure as their users.

[SCREWTAPE]

Tell them this is what happens to HDD's.

[Stirton.M]

Tell them this is what happens to HDD's.

Pffft.

Just like The Penguin in Batman Two said, "a lot of spare time and plenty of tape....."