how to wipe my computer hard drive?

Question

i want to securely delete (like 'eraser') everything on the hard drive and then format it for an OS reinstall. must be a free solution, no floppy drive available, only cd and usb.

Answer 1

Assuming you are installing XP, this can be done as a part of the Windows install.

Boot from the XP CD, have it delete the partitions. This wipes out everything.

Then continue with a format and it will install Windows. All art of the Windows CD, nothing else normally needed.

IF by the rare chance this doesn't work, use the utility at http://dban.sourceforge.net/ to "nuke" the drive, then go through the procedure above.

Answer 2

Put in Windows XP cd and restart the computer. During setup you will have the option to Format the drive. For secure formatting select Format NTFS (and NOT quick format). It will give you warning that your hard disk will be erased. Select YES and continue. This will clean your hard drive completely.

Answer 3

Use one of the following methods. These will overwrite all data on the hard drive.

DOD 522.220-M requires 3 overwrite passes
NSA requires 5 overwrite passes

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6142_102-0.html?forumID=5&threadID=194873&messageID=2115918
"You can find out the manufacturer of your HD and then attempt to download the formatting tool created by that manufacturer for their HD's. Most HD Mnufactuer have a Zero Fill Low level formatting tool available to erase their HD products. This will clean any existing OS files from your system as well as any viruses other files etc.."

Darik's Boot and Nuke (DBAN) free
http://www.download.com/Darik-s-Boot-and-Nuke/3000-2092_4-10165154.html
http://dban.sourceforge.net/
DBAN will automatically and completely delete the contents of any hard disk that it can detect, which makes it an appropriate utility for bulk or emergency data destruction.

Active@ Kill Disk - Hard Drive Eraser (Free version/ $29.95 enhanced version)
http://www.killdisk.com/
Free version limited to 1 erasure pass and first hard drive.
Active@ KillDisk - Hard Drive Eraser is powerful and compact DOS software that allows you to destroy all data on hard and floppy drives completely, excluding any possibility of future recovery of deleted files and folders. It's a hard drive and partition eraser utility.

WipeDrive by White Canyon $39.95 (no free version)
http://www.whitecanyon.com/
Completely wipe and erase all the information from a computer before selling or discarding it. WipeDrive makes it easy.

Answer 4

Assuming you are installing XP, this can be done as a part of the Windows install.
Boot from the XP CD, have it delete the partitions. This wipes out everything.
Again, make sure the power cable is unpluged and everything drys before you power the PC up.

Answer 5

Their is no such thing as securly deleted. I have heard of recovery on a 10 times zero pass.
That being said just use windows. Boot to the the windows CD and reformt the drive.

Answer 6

You can do it from your XP cd or 2000. Just put it in>start your PC>chose boot from CD> follow the instructions >select partition> select >format or quick format>


http://www.adminspy.com

Answer 7

http://www.killdisk.com/
It has a boot cd option and has a free and pay for version. Also, check here for more info on securely erasing a hard drive and links to other programs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gutmann_method

Answer 8

*tech stores sell those wipes around the keyboards. make sure you unplug the computer power cord and the wipe is not too moist.

They usually come in a square or rectangle format.

I don't think they have a free solution, I'm sure its a company secret solution of a mild cleaning agent. So you don't have to clean the floppy drive and only clean the CD and USB ports.

Again, make sure the power cable is unpluged and everything drys before you power the PC up.

Answer 9

From what you describe it sounds greater like a hardware subject than a plague. One long beep could desire to component in direction of a motherboard difficulty. once you suggested the reveal screen staying black now and returned once you turn the equipment on additionally makes me lean in direction of hardware failure. you're able to in all risk touch eMachines and tell them what's going on. in case you basically have been given the laptop for Christmas you're able to have the capacity to have them fix it below guarantee. good success!