Help! I need to erase my hard drive

creditcardfree · #1 (**permalink**) 03-17-2009, 10:43 AM

We've had two computers. One desktop and one laptop. The desktop is an old HP that we probably bought in 2000. We did upgrade the operating system and added more RAM.

We want to discard the laptop, but want to do it so that none of our information is at risk. My husband used it for Army work at times and I did all of our financials on it.

Any advise on good software that will erase my hard drive securely at a fair price? Free would be good, but sometimes you get what you pay for going that route.

Once I erase it, can I reinstall the original software and try to sell it?

Thanks!

wincrasher · #2 (**permalink**) 03-17-2009, 10:56 AM

If by discard, you mean throw away, then just take out the drive and smash it with a sledge hammer.

If you mean resell it, then just reformat the drive and re-install windows from the original disk.

You shouldn't need to buy a thing.

sweeps · #3 (**permalink**) 03-17-2009, 11:19 AM

Darik's Boot And Nuke | Hard Drive Disk Wipe

GrimJack · #4 (**permalink**) 03-17-2009, 11:21 AM

Another thought would be to buy a USB external drive converter box and continue to use the drive as a place to store music or movies or whatever. Once you fill it with music and then defrag it, it will be pretty safe.

SpyBot Search and Destroy is a free spyware killer that has a 'secure shredder' feature that will shred files. You can set the number of shredding passes from 1 to 1000 (defaults to 6) - if you use the 1000 shreds and want to do the entire disk, you might want to go on vacation and come back in a couple of weeks.

noppenbd · #5 (**permalink**) 03-17-2009, 11:22 AM

The best and easiest way is to take the HD out and drill a bunch of holes right through the drive with an electric drill.

sweeps · #6 (**permalink**) 03-17-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noppenbd

The best and easiest way is to take the HD out and drill a bunch of holes right through the drive with an electric drill.

Yes, but OP may have a hard time selling a laptop with a swiss-cheese hard drive.

simpletron · #7 (**permalink**) 03-17-2009, 12:15 PM

at work, an unclassified hard drive is put though a degausser(a very powerful magnet) and then it is grinded into tiny pieces. but I don't think that helps you.

I just like to note that none of these programs are going to be perfect because there will always be some magnetic residue of the original data. it is just how much effort and/or special equipement necessary to get the data back. don't just reformat and reinstall because some of your original data can be retrieved within a couple of hours with very little effort.

I have used eraser, it uses the same algorithm as Darik's Boot And Nuke, but has a couple of more options, the last time i used it. Darik's Boot And Nuke is plenty to prevent all but the most presistent people.

kork13 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-17-2009, 01:37 PM

I've found that a microwave works quite nicely.... electricity arcs across the discs, making them totally unreadable. I've done this with CD's especially, but a hard drive is a little trickier, since it has the aluminum pieces on there.... ^_^

fruitbowlk · #9 (**permalink**) 03-17-2009, 01:37 PM

How to Format a Hard Drive With Windows XP | eHow.com

creditcardfree · #10 (**permalink**) 03-17-2009, 02:00 PM

Thanks everyone! Yes, I'm aware of the smashing/drilling technique.

I just know that computers can still be useful to others...as long as our information is no longer available to others. I also have a hard time putting something like that in the landfill. I will recycle it locally if it comes down to it.

humandraydel · #11 (**permalink**) 03-17-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creditcardfree

...as long as our information is no longer available to others.

Well, that's the rub. If someone WANTS the information, they can likely get it - unless you use the hammer/drill technique. Of course, the average person doesn't know how to get or even care about the information. So just be sure you don't sell the computer to an identity thief

creditcardfree · #12 (**permalink**) 03-17-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humandraydel

So just be sure you don't sell the computer to an identity thief

Exactly...how do I do that? Do you think anyone would buy a computer without a hard drive?

kork13 · #13 (**permalink**) 03-17-2009, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creditcardfree

Exactly...how do I do that? Do you think anyone would buy a computer without a hard drive?

Background check, private investigator, the works.

Actually, many people might, depending on who the buyer is. Alot of times, someone might want to replace the drive anyway for a newer/more powerful one.

I'd say to use one of the methods mentioned above, or any other you're comfortable with, and wipe the drive, then re-format it to be like new. 99% of people who buy used computers aren't going to go digging for your data. That 1% who do, will have to work pretty hard to get it. And if they REALLY REALLY want it... well, they're gonna get it anyway, so don't lose any sleep over it.

creditcardfree · #14 (**permalink**) 06-04-2009, 10:42 AM

Update:

We ended up removing the hard drive. It is now a paper weight on my desk!

I sold the monitor, tower, and accessories for $10 at our garage sale with full disclosure the hard drive was missing.

I'm just glad it is out of my house and hopefully useful to someone else!

boosami · #15 (**permalink**) 06-04-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creditcardfree

My husband used it for Army work at times and I did all of our financials on it.

Technically, all you have to do is delete the Army files if the computer was used in accordance with the DoD telework policy. You do not have to shred or otherwise destroying the files. Of course, that's because if you conform to the policy you don't have anything sensitive enough to cause a problem if recovered...

Sorry, I just got recertified in my annual DoD Information Assurance courses this week

ActYourWage · #16 (**permalink**) 06-04-2009, 12:03 PM

You could have just reinstalled windows XP.

creditcardfree · #17 (**permalink**) 06-04-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boosami

Technically, all you have to do is delete the Army files if the computer was used in accordance with the DoD telework policy. You do not have to shred or otherwise destroying the files. Of course, that's because if you conform to the policy you don't have anything sensitive enough to cause a problem if recovered...

Sorry, I just got recertified in my annual DoD Information Assurance courses this week

DH is paranoid. I'm sure most items we NOT of sensitive nature since he plays by the rules, except his SSN.

creditcardfree · #18 (**permalink**) 06-04-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ActYourWage

You could have just reinstalled windows XP.

Yep...that was stated before. DH was only comfortable with selling it, if we removed hard drive.

The point of my update was that I was able to keep the computer out of the landfill and keep the hard drive out the hands of the thieves DH's is so paranoid about.

Be happy for me!

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