DBAN alternative
November 16th, 2019, 19:39
So I'm selling my computer (HDD). I had some important data on it. Plese don't tell me to physically destroy that drive, I need the money 
So I'm looking for some reliable solution that could erase things that DBAN can't, as far as I know, erase host protected area, device configuration overlay and bad sectors. Questions are:
1. I heard that Secure Erase (HDDErase) apparently can do erase of this. What do you guys think about it, is that a better alternative
?
2. What's the best software to check if that HDD is truly erased? Even paid, I can get licence for many programs with a discount.
Thank you kindly and have a nice day!
So I'm looking for some reliable solution that could erase things that DBAN can't, as far as I know, erase host protected area, device configuration overlay and bad sectors. Questions are:1. I heard that Secure Erase (HDDErase) apparently can do erase of this. What do you guys think about it, is that a better alternative
?2. What's the best software to check if that HDD is truly erased? Even paid, I can get licence for many programs with a discount.
Thank you kindly and have a nice day!
Re: DBAN alternative
November 16th, 2019, 21:29
Enhanced Secure Erase does a little more than a standard Secure Erase. For example, it is supposed to overwrite reallocated sectors.
Be aware that some drives have firmware bugs that interfere with Secure Erase (eg some older Samsungs).
HDAT2 is one tool that can remove a HPA.
Be aware that some drives have firmware bugs that interfere with Secure Erase (eg some older Samsungs).
HDAT2 is one tool that can remove a HPA.
Re: DBAN alternative
November 17th, 2019, 15:31
depends how technical you are.
you can do most all from a Linux Live CD/USB shell.
check https://raysnotebook.info/computing/disks-erase.html
if you are happy spending a few dollars, and it's well worth it imho, go to https://partedmagic.com and navigate to secure-erase.
Buy the cheap option and write to USB thumb drive.
boot machine, with drive to erase, from USB/CD and off you go.
if you want to double check erasure use command line hexdump -C /dev/sdX where X is your drive.
tips:
ensure there are *NO* other drives hooked up other than the one for erasure. better safe than sorry.
If you use HDAT2 on a utility CD/USB be sure you use the menu that allows writes. it's been a long time, but iirc there are 2 directories from which to call the program. one is write disabled but goes through the motions. A big clue is that the operation finishes quickly.
Apologies if I'm out of date with that.
There's also no need to go mad and do a Guttman 35 passes such as offered in DBAN on modern drives, if you choose not to, or cannot get (drives internal) Secure Erase to work.
https://www.lifewire.com/gutmann-method-2625891
K
you can do most all from a Linux Live CD/USB shell.
check https://raysnotebook.info/computing/disks-erase.html
if you are happy spending a few dollars, and it's well worth it imho, go to https://partedmagic.com and navigate to secure-erase.
Buy the cheap option and write to USB thumb drive.
boot machine, with drive to erase, from USB/CD and off you go.
if you want to double check erasure use command line hexdump -C /dev/sdX where X is your drive.
tips:
ensure there are *NO* other drives hooked up other than the one for erasure. better safe than sorry.
If you use HDAT2 on a utility CD/USB be sure you use the menu that allows writes. it's been a long time, but iirc there are 2 directories from which to call the program. one is write disabled but goes through the motions. A big clue is that the operation finishes quickly.
Apologies if I'm out of date with that.
There's also no need to go mad and do a Guttman 35 passes such as offered in DBAN on modern drives, if you choose not to, or cannot get (drives internal) Secure Erase to work.
https://www.lifewire.com/gutmann-method-2625891
K
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