Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2024 20:25:19 +0000 (UTC) Message-ID: <1963473387.8356.1711657519856@support.blancco.com> Subject: Exported From Confluence MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/related; boundary="----=_Part_8355_1856907285.1711657519856" ------=_Part_8355_1856907285.1711657519856 Content-Type: text/html; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: file:///C:/exported.html
What is the HPA?= p>
The Host Protected Area (HPA) is an area of memory on a = hard drive that is not normally visible to a computer=E2=80=99s Operating S= ystem (OS) =E2=80=93 for example, it would not be available for the user to= store files on. It was implemented so information could be stored that is = not easily modified, changed, or accessed by the user, BIOS, or the OS. Thi= s means that a drive may contain more than the =E2=80=98advertised=E2=80=99= capacity. This part can only be made accessible using specific tools or co= mmands.
There are numerous reasons why an HPA is created on a dr= ive:
What is the DCO?
Computer system vendors may =
use the Device Configuration Overlay (DCO) when they wish to have a series =
of hard drives of varying capacities (possibly because they are from differ=
ent vendors) that all exhibit the exact same storage volume from the perspe=
ctive of the OS. For example, the hard drives that a vendor wishes to deplo=
y in their systems may contain more addressable areas (i.e. storage capacit=
y) than is required. Using the DCO feature, the vendor could modify these d=
rives so they consistently display the same amount of usable storage. They =
effectively hide the additional areas from the user=E2=80=99s view without =
any indication that they even exist.
Why do these matter?
If the DCO or HPA area is not=
removed by our software then it is not possible to overwrite the data in t=
hese areas as it is inaccessible. It is the requirement of some overwriting=
standards to remove and erase these hidden areas. Failure to remove these =
can impact on the perceived success of the erasure process. The theory behi=
nd this requirement is that both areas could potentially contain some kind =
of remnant data and they should be removed in order to ensure that all of t=
he potentially user addressable areas are available for erasure.
Blancco erasure software currently ha=
s the capability to remove DCO and HPA areas but the possibility to do this=
requires that the BIOS on a computer does not freeze lock the necessary co=
mmands. More information about freeze locks can be found in another FAQ art=
icle =E2=80=93 here. More information about HPA/DCO removal reporting can be found=
in another FAQ article =E2=80=93 =
here.
Further Reading
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