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What are some free programs that will write over the hard drive multiple times making more difficult to recover any data from the drive? I am looking for solutions that are free and easy to use so that she could possibly do it herself. She is pretty good with computers but is by no means an expert user.
Thanks in advance for your replies.
'Darik's Boot and Nuke ("DBAN") is a self-contained boot floppy that securely wipes the hard disks of most computers. DBAN will automatically and completely delete the contents of any hard disk that it can detect, which makes it an appropriate utility for bulk or emergency data destruction.'
go here
[sourceforge.net...]
then download version 5.8 or 5.6 ( 5.6- was the first version with self booting floppy containing a disc eraser ..better than discwipe ) ..more passes available ..more versatile ..still freeware ..
read instructions
you can also run it from a key drive ..if you can set your machine to boot from a key drive ..
HTH
[edited by: Leosghost at 4:00 pm (utc) on Oct. 2, 2006]
Jim
More than everything, it's free :)
Will this wipe it clean?
(uh, if the purchaser was expecting to get windos, better send the CDs too)
Will this wipe it clean?
no
A big thanks to everyone who helped me out with this. Now my friend's identity won't get stolen. :)
Just remove the hard disk from the machine and whack it a few times. Never fails.
Some people go straight for the "Fourteen Pound Sledge", but that's just showing off.
A quick once-over with an oxy-acetylene torch might work, but then there's all the bother of the Fire Brigade, insurance claims, and re-furnishing the lounge. Not to mention the Mirth of the Neighbours!
Can't beat that sledge ;)
absolutely not ..!
Even 7 pass or greater isnt 100% effective ( but is good enough to prevent ID theft worries ) you can still get back "bribes" "enough to tell you what to look for further because the write head doesnt lay down the track in exactly the same place each time ..so doesnt precisely overwite sectors ..
And when overwriting using a delete untility you must run the long version which includes overwriting cluster tips ..and you must use one such as eraser which overwrites the swap ..( many say they do ..eraser is the only one I have seen that actually does ) ..
dissassembling and then dissolving the entire drive in acid is the only way that I consider data to be totally unrecoverable ..
and requires less space than the 7 or the 14 lb sledge to do it in ;-)
There's only one reliable way, and that's what's known in the computer trade as a "seven pound sledge".
Just remove the hard disk from the machine and whack it a few times.
Right. And then put it back in the machine and send it off to your eBay customer?
There's only one reliable way, and that's what's known in the computer trade as a "seven pound sledge".
Words of caution before executing this task.
Be sure you are wearing safety goggles:)
Anyone care to Degauss [garner-products.com]? Although, that renders the drive unusable, much like the acid and hammer tactics.
PGP wipe would work well. Blowfish, Anything that encrypts before wiping.
degaussing always means I can't go through walls for couple of hours afterwards without getting stuck ..less'n I leave the cordless planchette and the tennis balls behind ..how 'bout you DG? ;-)
