Problem Best way to erase all data off a HDD?

[jamescv7]

Since everyone is mentioning ways to destroy your HDD, then you can use Muriatic Acid which will react to the metal components which witness the melt process.

Remember, only geeks/enthusiast will be interest to gather your data as possible.

 

[Koroke San]

I will just feed it to a alien cow. mooo mooo

 

[FireShootSK]

Use magnet.

 

[David Johnson]

The best way for erasing is the one which will be sustainable and doesn't hamper our environment. So being environment-pro, data erasing using software is the secure and best solution for me. It not only permanently delete my hard drive data but also remove internet traces and free up unused space. Till now used 3-4 data erasing software, most of them are already discussed above, apart from them Bitraser for file can also be tried (Not an Advertisement)

 

[Andytay70]

I use active killdisk.
How to erase hard drive by Active@ KillDisk? Low Level Disk Format & Disk Sanitizer.

 

[Myriad]

As others have mentioned in this thread ....
Use DBAN and follow it up with physical destruction , if it makes you happy

The 3 pass deletion method should be fine .
Note : if you are running DBAN from a CD/DVD , be patient , it can be slow to boot .
( and take great care which drive you select ! )

You can forget about the Gutmann 35 pass method ....
even Peter Gutmann has said that it no longer matters with modern drives .

More on this here :-
Is the Gutmann Method a Good Way to Erase Data?

But for folks who are really serious about data destruction , this is a great read ,
and quite amusing in it's own way :-
Data Destruction Equipment like Datastroyer Shredders, Disintegrators, Office Disintegrators, and Multimedia Destruction Devices for High Security Data Destruction

 

[Vasudev]

I simply use DD or HDD utilities from WD, Seagate, Hitachi to erase the drive.

 

[lab34]

This thread reminds me this episode of Silicon Valley

 

[Telos]

1. DBAN (or Linux live CD w/"dd" commands; Google is your friend)
2. Immerse in bleach (24 hours)
3. Blowtorch (optional)

Stop at step 1 if you plan to reuse the HDD.

 

[Porama6400]

Unscrew it and use it as a flying disc to play with your dog
Also, disk is really shiny and beautiful, I love to play with it

 

[virusblocker101]

dump it out in nature for a few weeks. dump it in a river and after about 3 or 4 weeks data will be unrecoverable

 

[rockstarrocks]

Why no one mentioned CCleaner? It has a "drive wiper" feature with upto 35 passes.

 

[Yoda]

Usually, I am physically destroying the disk, by removing the plates, scratching them and drop them in different random bins.

 

[ispx]

I like the sledgehammer method myself

once Hard Disk Sentinel - HDD health and temperature monitoring tells me to replace the hard disk i do exactly as stated above.

 

[WinXPert]

Use a sledge hammer

 

[Yoda]