How do you erase your hard drive (yes, I read that post)?

[mretzloff]

I read that post on how to format and clear your hard drive. The problem is that I'm trying to put a hard drive clearing program onto a CD or flash drive and move it over to my other computer. That computer needs its hard drive cleared (donating it to Goodwill) and the Internet on it is NOT working.

Please help me. Thanks.

 

[howard_hopkinso]

I don`t know which thread you`re referring to, but all you have to do is download the hard drive manufacturers diagnosotic utility. It will have a zero fill option that will completely wipe the drive. You can burn it to a CD, then boot from the cd.

If you can`t find it, take a look at this thread HERE.

Regards Howard

 

[mretzloff]

I searched for "chkdsk /r" like that thread you linked to said. I tried going to http://dban.sourceforge.net/ but I can't find a program that will go onto a CD and open on my other computer.

If it helps, the other computer is running Windows ME.

EDIT: When I get the Boot and Nuke zip file on my other computer it asks me which program I should use to open it. What should I select?

 

[howard_hopkinso]

Download the ISO version of Seatools from HERE. Burn it to a cd as an image and then boot from the cd. It should work on almost any hard drive.

Regards Howard

 

[mretzloff]

How do I burn it as an image?

Thanks for the patience.

 

[howard_hopkinso]

Your burning software should tell you how to burn an ISO image.

If you don`t have any burning software, the free CDBurnerXP Pro 3.0.116 is very good.

Regards Howard

 

[mretzloff]

Is there another hard drive eraser that doesn't require your info.?

Edited by Moderator: Removed quote. There`s no need to quote the post directly above your own, unless you`re only replying to a specific section, in which case you would only quote that section.

EDIT: I still can't get it. I burned the ISO file to a CD and it still asks me to choose a program to open it with.

 

[howard_hopkinso]

You only need to give an Email address, that`s all. Seagate is a very reputable company, so you`ve nothing to fear.

Regards Howard

 

[mretzloff]

Now it says it needs framework 2.0 or greater.

Isn't there just a simple program that can do this? I just want my hard drive cleared.

 

[howard_hopkinso]

Which burning programme are you using?

Regards Howard

 

[mretzloff]

CD Burner XP (the one you linked to).

I edited my post above.

 

[howard_hopkinso]

Start the pogramme and click on Create new data cd-rw etc. Then, click help and click on the help from the drop down menu.
Click the + sign next to Working with Cd-Burnerpro. then, click on the + sign next to ISO burning/creation and finally on Burn ISO image. read and follow the instructions.

Regards Howard

 

[Mictlantecuhtli]

EDIT: I still can't get it. I burned the ISO file to a CD and it still asks me to choose a program to open it with.

You don't add it as a file to CD's contents, you burn the disc image itself.

Save the DBAN ISO image from here, open CDBurnerXP, from File menu select "Burn disc from ISO file", select the DBAN file, burn, boot the computer from it.

 

[mretzloff]

How do I boot the computer from it? There are like 10 files on the CD now.

Thanks very much guys/gals.

 

[Mictlantecuhtli]

Set the first boot device to be CD from the computer's BIOS. Most likely you have to press del or F2 to get there when you turn on the computer (it should display that briefly on the screen).

 

[mretzloff]

It now displays a lot of options. Should I enter it in auto mode?

 

[howard_hopkinso]

What options do you see?

Regards Howard

 

[Brigadoon]

Can't you download and run the USB/Floppy version instead of burning a CD?

You might also have a look at:-

http://www.killdisk.com/

http://www.howtowipeyourdrive.com/

http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/download.php

With Eraser, if you wanted to wipe your drive but still leave the OS working you could delete all your non-OperatingSystem files, empty the recycle bin, then use Eraser to wipe (overwrite) all FREE SPACE on the drive. This could take a few hours on a large drive especially if you use more than one pass for added security. (Overnight perhaps)

There are other free space cleaners as well such as SysInternals "SDelete" which runs from a command window.

Eraser is also useful for securely deleting or securely moving sensitive files/folders.




Edited

I've just tried to add a moderately lengthy edit to this post about Eraser and its uses in wiping Disks but saving the OS. However the forum seems to cut you off if you type for longer than a couple of minutes.

It pisses me off to waste time like that so I'm out of here!
.

 

[vbrauner]

Might give this a try:

http://www.cbltech.com.au/data-shredder.html?id=3