Completely Erase a Hard Drive - Comments Page 2

Boring but effective way: DBAN

More exciting, less work than hammer: meltdown with cutting torch (or the propane forge)

My favorite and (of course) the most dangerous: thermite

Greetings,
You might also try one of these two ways:

NIST has a guide for media sanitization at http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-88/NISTSP800-88_rev1.pdf

And while I'm sure a 16lb sledge hammer is quite nice, I prefer .40 caliber at 7 yards or .308 caliber at 100m.

IBM created a utility called Secure Data Disposal (SDD)which is freely available now from Lenovo. It runs from a self-booting CD and is operating system independent.

I tried ERASER a few months ago and there was trouble with the latest version which promised to unbug this:

The software caused my computer to hang; to freeze up. I see it was updated July 2009. Nothing new since then.

I definitely plan to use it once the bug is resolved. So in the meantime I have been using File Shredder at www.fileshredder.org
[I highly recommend this as it NOT only permanently deletes files (using wiping up to 35 times) but you can also wipe the Free Space on your computer using the Guttmann Method.

Also: I Love Your Newsletter, Bob.
Believe me you have saved me an inordinate amount of money with your Recommendations on free(Quality) software.

I really Appreciate it!

Gil-T.

Brooklyn, NY USA

I like to take a drill to my platters as well. Good article and good advice. Though I don't think a paper bag will hold up too well to a sledge hammer.

Tenderize thoroughly with hammer. Add 2 cups of water containing a 1/3 cup of salt. Allow to air dry for three day. Serves no one.

Nice article.I have learnt a lot from it. But I have used Wipe Mac software and got very satisfying results. Why don't you try this tool, it is also very nice.

Can someone tell me if using Erase will get rid of everything... including the OS and any software loaded on the machine or just the files for said software? I am looking to give my old PC to my sister and wanted to keep the OS Windows XP and also MS Office Suite in tact for her... can that be done with Erase? Please advise.

How about throwing the hard drive or USB key in a fire and burning them?

I am going to use the Website where Not only do I Permanently Delete Files etc., but; where I Free Up Space on my Hard Drive.