HD Disk Wipe Software

  • Thread starter Thread starter Wonderman
  • Start date Start date
Can anyone reccomend a free and fast disk wipe program. Thanks.
Click to expand...

If you aren't going to take the time to properly erase the disk, you might
just as well simply format it.
 
Wonderman said:
Can anyone reccomend a free and fast disk wipe program. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Wonderman, visit the disc's manufactures' website and see if they have an
appropriate utility for your purpose.

Or from http://www.recuva.com/, download Recuva, it has the options you want, not
the best but OK and free. The slower you do it the better, otherwise do what ray,
suggested.

- Vista Cabal
 
It is recommended that hard disks are securely erased before being
transferred to another person or trashed. Heidi Eraser is free and has the
reputation for doing this very well. The latest version is 586a and is Vista
Compatible. Depending on the security level you chose and the size of the
disc the process can take from several hours to several days.
http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/
However hard drives are cheap and become obsolete quickly, so it may not be
worth going to much expense in an attempt to securely erase them. Consider
wearing face protection and attacking them with a heavy hammer. The platters
also deteriorate rapidly in salt water once the case is cracked open.
Doug
 
It is recommended that hard disks are securely erased before being
transferred to another person or trashed. Heidi Eraser is free and has the
reputation for doing this very well. The latest version is 586a and is Vista
Compatible. Depending on the security level you chose and the size of the
disc the process can take from several hours to several days.
http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/
However hard drives are cheap and become obsolete quickly, so it may not be
worth going to much expense in an attempt to securely erase them. Consider
wearing face protection and attacking them with a heavy hammer. The platters
also deteriorate rapidly in salt water once the case is cracked open.
Click to expand...

I've used bcwipe for years for erasing drives. Does anyone have any
views as to how good the other tools mentioned here are compared with
it?
 
I use an application called Eraser (http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/ ) to erase
free space from my hard drive when I do a clean up. You can also create a
'nuke' disc (see the program option of eraser) to completely erase your hard
drive.

There are, of course, different security levels from 1 pass to 35 passes.
obviously the more passes the longer it will take to do the job. You could
be looking at hours to a day or more depending upon the security level you
choose.

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
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The only foolproof way?
I have a blowtorch, melt it, otherwise (with enough effort) most of the data
can be recovered.
But unless you work for the CIA, fdisking and formatting should be
sufficient.
 
The only foolproof way?
I have a blowtorch, melt it, otherwise (with enough effort) most of the
data can be recovered.
But unless you work for the CIA, fdisking and formatting should be
sufficient.
Click to expand...

If you use proper disk wiping software (DOD approved) it is virtually
impossible to recover data. At the least it would be VERY difficult,
expensive and time consuming - that should suffice.
 
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