Wiping a HD.

[VirusType2]

I was wondering if anyone knows of some *free* software to wipe a hard drive clean. To erase the hard drive completely, so none of the data can be recovered.

Something that just occurred to me... Will a (non-quick) format work for this?

 

[lePobz]

No. Not entirely. Not if the FBI are looking, anyway. There's quite a lot of software out there to do a proper format, im sure Asus will know.

 

[VirusType2]

well, the plan is to wipe some drives clean before selling or donating them.

I've got a couple 80G drives and a 160G drive that I will be upgrading eventually to SATA II 500G or greater, and I don't want any of my personal information retrievable. Particularly passwords, documents, porn, .. the usual. Personal Info.

I've seen software at the store for like $15. But I'd rather just download something free if it's out there, which I'd be suprised if it wasn't.

I can look harder, I just created this thread hoping that someone already knew of something - not as a tool to get someone to look for me. No really, it wasn't

 

[lePobz]

Well there was a thread exactly the same as this not so long ago, but I can't find it ... so use this instead.

 

[Asus]

Check the website of your hard drive manufacturer. They usually provide a utility to wipe a drive clean. You want to do a zero-fill format (ever spot is then a ZERO).
Regular format does not over-write data to delete it. And is very easy to recover data even with trial software.

 

[Hazar]

wipe it with your ass... this will permanently destroy all the data

 

[VirusType2]

Well there was a thread exactly the same as this not so long ago, but I can't find it ... so use this instead.

Thanks! :thumbs:

Free software FTW's

 

[FieryGoose]

I made a thread about this around a month ago, here's the thread, maybe you'll find some more helpful information here: Wiping HDD

For Wiping my WD drive I used their tool off their website called Data Lifeguard Diagnostic. I'm not sure if your drives are WD or not, but like Asus said most manufacturers have a similar downloadable tool.

 

[VirusType2]

I made a thread about this around a month ago, here's the thread, maybe you'll find some more helpful information here: Wiping HDD

For Wiping my WD drive I used their tool off their website called Data Lifeguard Diagnostic. I'm not sure if your drives are WD or not, but like Asus said most manufacturers have a similar downloadable tool.

Yeah, all my drives are WD. Will do, thank you.

 

[FieryGoose]

Well that makes things that much easier for you. Glad I could help.