[dba-Tech] Wiping ALL data from a hard drive

The Norton System Works package has a ditty called "Wipe Info" that uses the
DoD method (7 steps) for "cleaning" a hard disk.

Don B.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John W. Colby" <jwcolby at colbyconsulting.com>
To: "'Discussion of Hardware and Software issues'"
<dba-tech at databaseadvisors.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2005 10:16 AM
Subject: RE: [dba-Tech] Wiping ALL data from a hard drive


> The "smack it" advice is ill placed.  While it will probably stop the
casual
> "next owner" from using the disk, any police force (or anyone else for
that
> matter) can hire a firm to just remove the disk platter and have it read.
>
> If the platter itself isn't destroyed, then scrambling the data is
required.
> Any of the good programs will write alternating ones and zeros in every
bit
> position N times which will scramble the data.  The US government has
> specified N for government drives being wiped.
>
> John W. Colby
> www.ColbyConsulting.com
>
> Contribute your unused CPU cycles to a good cause:
> http://folding.stanford.edu/
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
> [mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of John Bartow
> Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2005 1:07 PM
> To: 'Discussion of Hardware and Software issues'
> Subject: RE: [dba-Tech] Wiping ALL data from a hard drive
>
>
> Hi Jeff,
> I have similar requests from accountants, financial planners, etc.
>
> If they're just disposing of them:
> If you have a bunch of PCs then buy one of those huge-electro magnets from
> the hardware store or radio shack. Takes a few seconds per unit.
Otherwise,
> if you only have a couple remove the hard drive and smack it dead center
> with a hammer. It takes less than five minutes.
>
> Your customer will be impressed with your thoroughness, and as a
byproduct,
> it alleviates job related stress. :o)
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
> [mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Barrows
> Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2005 10:23 AM
> To: Dba-Tech
> Subject: [dba-Tech] Wiping ALL data from a hard drive
>
> I am looking for a quick, easy, inexpensive way to wipe ALL data from a
hard
> drive.  A local non-profit business has recently replaced their hardware
and
> wants to be sure that their data on the old machines is not retrievable by
> anyone before they dispose of them.  I could format each hard drive, but I
> was wondering if anyone here had a better idea.
>
> TIA
>
>
> Jeff Barrows
> MCP, MCAD, MCSD
>
> Outbak Technologies, LLC
> Racine, WI
> jeff at outbaktech.com _______________________________________________
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