free software to access HFS/Mac file systems

For a limited time, Paragon Software is giving free licenses for HFS for Windows:

"HFS for Windows enables the use of Mac-formatted partitions in Windows operating systems...

"...Windows cannot read from and write to HFS+ partitions. This limits the ability to exchange or share files between Windows and Mac OS X file systems...

"Paragon HFS for Windows is designed to provide full (read and write) access to HFS+ partitions. It can be installed on all versions of Windows..."

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"HFS for Windows, the only software that lets you read Apple iPods, Macs and iPad data from a Windows PC...

"If you have an iPod you may probably know that it contains all your music inside some sly hidden folders. When you attach your iPod (excluding Touch models) to the system it can be seen as a simple Removable Flash Drive..."

Even if you don't need it now, do consider that having this software might be very helpful in the future...

RAID

We had a short discussion about RAID and salvaging data...

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Using a Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks, or a Redundant Array of Independent Disks, involves two or more hard disk drives. By using a RAID configuration you can have your computing performance experienced enhanced, possibly salvage data, and/or store more data on larger volumes. It depends on the type of RAID you use...

There are various types of RAID to use to achieve different goals. Here are some of the descriptions of different types...

RAID 0 distributes data across several disks. It can improve speed, but all data on all disks will be lost if a disk fails. (I've found information that states Windows XP Professional, and Windows Vista Ultimate, support RAID 0.)

RAID 1 copies data to more than one hard disk so that if one drive fails, the data is available on another. It's referred to as "mirroring". Do not use RAID as a replacement for backing up: a system malfunction could overwrite data, a file could be damaged/deleted, and all could be lost if the computer is damaged (theft/flood/fire/etcetera).

RAID 5 uses at least three hard disks so that, if one drive fails, the data on the other two are available.

RAID can be accomplished by using operating systems that support RAID, and/or hardware controllers (supported by the motherboard, or by using an expansion card). Also, Network-attached storage (NAS) devices...disk drives on a network...could be used in an implemention of RAID.

erase it forever

We've discussed how to prepare hard disks before you:
sell your computer...
give it to someone...
or dispose of the hard drive.

Using software is the most cost effective way for most consumers to do it. But if you need to erase hard drives completely, and somewhat often, you may want to consider a degausser.

I found two that Fujitsu produce.

SEM has Magnetic Media Degaussers...one that caught my interest is the Mag EraSURE P3M for "hard disk drives and other magnetic media".

"...the SEM Model ME-P3M...is desgined to
degauss...Hard Drives and/or Magnetic tapes...The unit is operated by a
MANUAL HAND CRANK..."


The Mobile Mag EraSURE degausser is available, as well (and I'm unable to determine what the difference is between it and the P3M (other than style of the crank handle and the metal cover over where the media is placed).

Cost for mobile/portable versions of degaussers seem to be double and triple that over those not intended to be moved...as much as $40,000.

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