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220-1202 Practice Question: Install a new hard drive in a computer that is…
A technician needs to install a new hard drive in a computer that is under a strict security policy requiring all drives to be sanitized before disposal. The old drive will be replaced. What is the most secure method to ensure data cannot be recovered from the old drive?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that a quick format or partition deletion is sufficient for data sanitization, when in reality these methods only remove pointers to the data, leaving the raw data recoverable with simple tools.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use a degausser to erase the magnetic fields.
A degausser generates a powerful magnetic field that physically randomizes the magnetic domains on the platters, effectively destroying all stored data and rendering the drive unusable. This is the only method listed that meets the strict security policy requirement for sanitization, as it prevents any possible data recovery even with advanced forensic tools.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Perform a quick format of the drive.
Why it's wrong here
A quick format operation primarily initializes the file system structure on a drive, such as creating a new Master File Table (MFT) or File Allocation Table (FAT). It does not overwrite the actual data sectors with zeros or random patterns. Consequently, while the operating system perceives the drive as empty, the original data remains physically present and can often be recovered using data forensics tools, making it unsuitable for secure data destruction.
- ✓
Use a degausser to erase the magnetic fields.
Why this is correct
Degaussing involves exposing a magnetic storage device, like a hard disk drive (HDD), to a powerful alternating magnetic field. This process randomizes the magnetic domains on the platters, effectively erasing all recorded data by rendering it unreadable. This method physically alters the magnetic properties of the storage medium, making data recovery practically impossible and satisfying the most stringent data destruction requirements for HDDs.
- ✗
Run the Windows Disk Cleanup tool.
Why it's wrong here
The Windows Disk Cleanup tool is designed to free up disk space by deleting various non-essential files, such as temporary internet files, Recycle Bin contents, and system error memory dumps. It operates at the file system level to remove specific, designated files and folders. This utility does not perform any form of secure data erasure across the entire drive and leaves all user data and operating system files intact, rendering it completely ineffective for secure drive disposal.
- ✗
Delete all partitions using Disk Management.
Why it's wrong here
Deleting partitions through Disk Management removes the entries in the partition table (e.g., MBR or GPT) that define the start and end sectors of each partition. While this makes the data inaccessible to the operating system, the actual data blocks on the drive platters remain untouched. Specialized data recovery software can often reconstruct the partition table or directly access the raw data, meaning the data is still recoverable and not securely erased.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1202 exam.