Wiping a Sata Hard Drive

RegCom · 02-23-2008, 05:29 PM

Hey All:

I'm wondering what tools/software is needed to wipe a Sata HDD clean. I have two new Sata drive that have an OS on it. I want to wipe it clean and reinstall an OS. Also, if the tools/software could work when booting up would be great. Thanks

Tumbleweed36 · 02-23-2008, 05:47 PM

My suggestion would be either one of two things:

First, the utility you can download from the manufacturer of the drives does a nice job of this and the download is free. It is also fairly quick in comparison to a complete cleaning.

Another great solution (takes more time) is Dban which will wipe EVERYTHING off that disk. Just be sure if you use Dban (it wipes everything and I mean everything) that you do not have any drives hooked up that you want to keep the data on, because it has the ability to just clean everything out in one operation.

............

You don't want to just format, you want to Dban that disk.

To completely erase all data on the drive(s), download DBAN and create a floppy disk to use.

Enter the BIOS setup menu and set the boot order to 'floppy first', then reboot with the DBAN floppy inserted in the drive.

It will completely and securely wipe everything off your hard drive. It will then be clean and secure so the next person can be ready to load the new Windows OS on the disk and none of your data will be there.

RegCom · 02-23-2008, 06:06 PM

How fast should DBAN take? When I run it, DBAN says finished without fatal error, but it only takes 5 sec. to run.

Tumbleweed36 · 02-23-2008, 06:13 PM

It should take quite some time.....much, much longer than that, don't understand why it would do that.

Just download and run the disk manufacturer's utility and give that a go. That will also do a nice job for you. Then, you will ready to reinstall the OS.

RegCom · 02-23-2008, 07:58 PM

Thanks, for the quick reply.

Tumbleweed36 · 02-23-2008, 08:07 PM

Let us know how it goes. Have a great evening.

02-23-2008, 05:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
RegCom Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Saint Louis Posts: 39 OS: Windows XP	Wiping a Sata Hard Drive Hey All: I'm wondering what tools/software is needed to wipe a Sata HDD clean. I have two new Sata drive that have an OS on it. I want to wipe it clean and reinstall an OS. Also, if the tools/software could work when booting up would be great. Thanks

02-23-2008, 05:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,467 OS: XP Professional	Re: Wiping a Sata Hard Drive My suggestion would be either one of two things: First, the utility you can download from the manufacturer of the drives does a nice job of this and the download is free. It is also fairly quick in comparison to a complete cleaning. Another great solution (takes more time) is Dban which will wipe EVERYTHING off that disk. Just be sure if you use Dban (it wipes everything and I mean everything) that you do not have any drives hooked up that you want to keep the data on, because it has the ability to just clean everything out in one operation. ............ You don't want to just format, you want to Dban that disk. To completely erase all data on the drive(s), download DBAN and create a floppy disk to use. Enter the BIOS setup menu and set the boot order to 'floppy first', then reboot with the DBAN floppy inserted in the drive. It will completely and securely wipe everything off your hard drive. It will then be clean and secure so the next person can be ready to load the new Windows OS on the disk and none of your data will be there. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread. Last edited by Tumbleweed36; 02-23-2008 at 05:48 PM.

02-23-2008, 06:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
RegCom Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Saint Louis Posts: 39 OS: Windows XP	Re: Wiping a Sata Hard Drive How fast should DBAN take? When I run it, DBAN says finished without fatal error, but it only takes 5 sec. to run.

02-23-2008, 06:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,467 OS: XP Professional	Re: Wiping a Sata Hard Drive It should take quite some time.....much, much longer than that, don't understand why it would do that. Just download and run the disk manufacturer's utility and give that a go. That will also do a nice job for you. Then, you will ready to reinstall the OS. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

02-23-2008, 07:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
RegCom Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Saint Louis Posts: 39 OS: Windows XP	Re: Wiping a Sata Hard Drive Thanks, for the quick reply.

02-23-2008, 08:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,467 OS: XP Professional	Re: Wiping a Sata Hard Drive Let us know how it goes. Have a great evening. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.