best way to erase data securely from a hdd

mullered07 · Apr 24, 2008

i need to format my raptor as i sold it on ebay and want a program that will erase data permanently, i used to use a few like window washer and evidence eliminator (which was an excellent program, quite advanced but its support isnt all that great these days and hasnt been updated much since winXP release) it needs to be able to use (correct me if im wrong been a long time since i used such a program) minimum DOD-7 passes - 35passes-Gutmann method, ive had documents from work and my finances inc personal information on this drive and want to be sure none of this can be recovered, thus far ive formatted it about 10 times in windows which should be enough to make any old files recoverable but id like to be sure.

thanks in advance.

Dr. Spankenstein · Apr 24, 2008

DBAN.

Darknova · Apr 24, 2008

Best way is to find a program that will rewrite 0's throught your harddrive. Unless they take the HDD apart and physically try and recover the data they don't really have a chance.

mullered07 · Apr 24, 2008

Dr. Spankenstein said:
DBAN.

awwwww i really dont want to mess about burning an iso and waiting for it to run in DOS :laugh:

, are there any windows utilities you know of ?

GJSNeptune · Apr 24, 2008

It would take you about a minute (maybe even two) to download DBAN, burn it to a disc, pop it in, and restart.

Kreij · Apr 24, 2008

Data LifeGuard Diagnostics from WD lets you write all zeros to your drive.

WRITE ZEROS - writes zeros to the drive with options of Full Erase and Quick Erase. File system and data will be lost.

Dr. Spankenstein · Apr 24, 2008

mullered07 said:
awwwww i really dont want to mess about burning an iso and waiting for it to run in DOS , are there any windows utilities you know of ?

O IC....

You want a perfect, one-click solution. .35 cal slug.
(doesn't help the resale value much. :rolleyes:

)

echo75 · Apr 24, 2008

Dunno if he was jerking my leg but i have actually heard from a friend who works with the police here in Denmark that irrespective of any program you may use they can ALWAYS get the data back , here they use some lab in Norway that works for the cops and its just a matter of time. But that info must be really something of worthy interest for them to go to such lengths of trouble and not just "petty stuff "data .

The only foolproff way is physical destruction of the disk!! if i am hiding something so important , i would destroy the whole disk and not bother about a few quid for a new disk.

The programs available like those mentioned above are though fine for eliminating data for the general public.

alexp999 · Apr 24, 2008

Dr. Spankenstein said:
DBAN.

+1

I use the floppy version, its a bit slower than the CD version (which is optimized for dual cores) but I found that the newer cd version recognized my Front card reader and then failed to wipe.

Use it every time. (probably far to often, lol, but it keeps my computer clean!)

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Display(s)	Sony Bravia 37" 1080p
Case	CM 690
Audio Device(s)	Onboard
Power Supply	Corsair HX520
Software	Windows 7 Ultimate

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Cooling	Corsair H70
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System Name	Ma Biatch
Processor	i7 860
Motherboard	Gigabyte GA-P55-UD3A
Cooling	Noctua
Memory	8gb (4x2gb) G-Skill
Video Card(s)	GTX 470
Storage	WD5000aaks raid0
Display(s)	Sony Bravia 37" 1080p
Case	CM 690
Audio Device(s)	Onboard
Power Supply	Corsair HX520
Software	Windows 7 Ultimate

Processor	AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Black Edition
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Case	Lian-Li A05b (with two 120mm Yate Loon D12SM)
Power Supply	Corsair HX520
Software	Vista Business 32-bit/XP Pro 32-bit dual-boot

best way to erase data securely from a hdd

mullered07

Dr. Spankenstein

Darknova

mullered07

GJSNeptune

New Member

Kreij

Senior Monkey Moderator

Dr. Spankenstein

echo75

New Member

alexp999

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