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Resolved What software should I use to erase a hard drive?

Discussion in 'Other PC Software' started by Alicia J, 2012/04/06.

  1. 2012/04/06
    Alicia J Lifetime Subscription

    Alicia J Geek Member Thread Starter

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    I have an old XP SP2 PC that I no longer use and would like to erase all the data on it before recycling. Any recommendations?
     
    Alicia J,
    #1
  2. 2012/04/06
    MrBill

    MrBill SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    http://www.dban.org/

    http://www.killdisk.com/

    You are giving this PC away. Why don't you just do a Defrag, then reinstall the OS if you have the disc for it. Then update it with MS. That way somebody will be getting a PC that is ready to use.
     
    MrBill,
    #2


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  4. 2012/04/06
    retiredlearner

    retiredlearner SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    retiredlearner,
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  5. 2012/04/06
    Alicia J Lifetime Subscription

    Alicia J Geek Member Thread Starter

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    The hard drive is failing and I bought a new PC so I want to dispose of it.
     
    Alicia J,
    #4
  6. 2012/04/07
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Hi Alicia. I would say that killdisk is the best software to use to format the harddrive. I have used it in the past to securely wipe harddrives and it has done a great job.

    Try it out and see if you like it.
     
    Evan Omo,
    #5
  7. 2012/04/07
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    In such circumstances, I use a hammer prior to disposing of the drive.
     
    TonyT,
    #6
  8. 2012/04/07
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Ditto. A few solid smacks with a 10lb (4.5kg) sledge hammer, then cut it (the platters) in half with a 14" (35.5cm) metal chop box.
     
    SpywareDr,
    #7
  9. 2012/04/07
    Alicia J Lifetime Subscription

    Alicia J Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Thank you all for the input I'll try Killdisk.
     
    Alicia J,
    #8
  10. 2012/04/15
    Alicia J Lifetime Subscription

    Alicia J Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Do you need the professional version of Killdisk to erase the whole hard drive. The free version only wants to erase unallocated space?? Then I tried to run the DOS version and it doesn't seem to recognize the command. The create bootable media in killdisk doesn't seem to be working either. I reinstalled the killdisk program and that didn't help either.
     
    Alicia J,
    #9
  11. 2012/04/15
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    60-second solution:
    1. Violently slam the hard drive against the concrete several times.
    2. Take a rock and bash the electronics on the green board on the bottom a few times.
    3. Chunk all the pieces in the trash.
    That's it. You're done.

    :)
     
    SpywareDr,
    #10
  12. 2012/04/15
    dnmacleod

    dnmacleod Well-Known Member

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    Another (free) software solution is eraser.
     
    dnmacleod,
    #11
  13. 2012/04/15
    retiredlearner

    retiredlearner SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Alicia, Google and download Delpart. You can completely erase data from a HD and it can be formatted and used again without worry. Neil.
     
    retiredlearner,
    #12
  14. 2012/04/15
    Alicia J Lifetime Subscription

    Alicia J Geek Member Thread Starter

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    I got killdisk to work by making a bootable DVD disk. Thanks. I'll check out Delpart for the future.
     
    Alicia J,
    #13
  15. 2012/04/15
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Thanks for the update. :)
     
    Evan Omo,
    #14

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