Completely Erase a Hard Drive

[Andres8948]

will this erase the OS? because thats what i want, thanks!

[SuperMuddiger]

i usaly keep my hard hdds/ssds but if i did have to send a hdd i know how to delete everything except linux using cmd and i mainly use linux so i dont register haha

[UnderCoverWowCow]

So this will make my PC the way it was the day I bought it?

[tanello2]

I USE MAGNET,try to read something from there.........

[CajunTechie]

@tanello2 Do some research. A magnet doesn't present many problems to someone with the serious intent of recovering information.

[UnitedWithDubstep]

Does this mean I will keep Windows 7? PLEASE RESPOND!!!!! ANYONE!!!!!!!!!!

[CajunTechie]

@UnitedWithDubstep NO, you will NOT keep your Windows 7. IT WIPES EVERYTHING from your hard disk. EVERYTHING. You will need to reinstall Windows 7.

[DamnNowImmaBrony]

@CajunTechie My laptop came with windows 7 and it didn't come with a disk. How can I reinstall it?

[GreaseLightning02]

@DamnNowImmaBrony then there should be a recovery partition on the hard drive. reinstall from there

[Hotcheetos91]

Wipe Responsibly! haha

[josh1567890]

if i do this i cant evin download anything i cant evin use the computor? if i do this

[GamingBros17]

hey how can i use the program on my computer

[MetalorGTFO]

...so you're saying i should NOT read the README thing and carelessly wipe everything from my computer? alright i guess ill do it now since you ar-..........

[codelyokoblue]

is there anyway that anyone could recover any information on my harddrive if I wipe it completely?

[CajunTechie]

@codelyokoblue No. The are of the drive where the information was saved will be overwritten multiple times with random data. It's gone for good.

[codelyokoblue]

@CajunTechie what program do you recommend for completely wiping my hard-drive so it is unrecoverable to anyone?

[MegaJuice24]

@codelyokoblue does trhis help with viruses

[Kayleeloveseandj]

Can you use any computer to make the CD-ROM?

[CajunTechie]

@Kayleeloveseandj Any recent computer should be able to burn a CD. If you're using an older computer check to make sure that it says 'CD writer' somewhere on the drive. It might also have CD/DVD writer. Both will work

[oliverrattigan]

if this wipes the hard drive then that means that the Os will also be wipe, correct?

[CajunTechie]

@oliverrattigan Right. It's useful when you're disposing of a computer and want to make sure all of your information is off of it. EVERYTHING will be gone.

[Jirama]

AHHH old school interlace video issues DX

[Mchimp]

would this cleaning help my computer run faster? and does it return to Factory Settings? A Fresh Start?

[CajunTechie]

@Mchimp No. This wipes everything off of your computer. Everything will need to be reinstalled.

[AtomicPengWIN]

@montagereflex. So thats why this just wiped my harddrive? Gotta love trolls on youtubes

[CajunTechie]

@AtomicPengWIN What did you expect it to do?

[AtomicPengWIN]

@CajunTechie poop out rainbows and shoot gold coins from the disk tray, what did YOU expect it to do?

[CajunTechie]

@AtomicPengWIN Heck, if it's going to give me gold coins, I'll pretend it does whatever you like!

[TehWannabi]

@CajunTechie does this erase your OS too?

[CajunTechie]

@TehWannabi Yes. It erases EVEYTHING on the drive.

[MontageReflex]

this is completely stupid. No where in the zip folder is an ISO file. Look for yourself. Gotta love false information in youtube videos.

[jkhernandez11]

Did you download the software on the new computer and then insert it into the old computer ? I don't want to download it on my laptop unless it wont delete everything.

[CajunTechie]

@jkhernandez11 Downloading the ISO won't delete anything. It has to be burned to a disk and used to boot the computer.

[allclipslineup]

if you are trying to download windows 7 would you want to wipe the hard drive before you download it.

[CajunTechie]

@allclipslineup The Windows 7 installer can do this for you. Using this kind of tool would be overkill. This tool should be used mostly when you're getting rid of a hard disk and want to make sure the data that was stored on it can't be recovered.

[buttrfly61488]

i've tried to use this to completely erase everything but it will not work. idk what i am doing wrong.

[CajunTechie]

@buttrfly61488 You'll need to tell us a bit more. Are you getting errors? If so, what errors?

[Minecrafter2133]

@ndmda7 I heard 1 thermite pass is super effective.

[tweed187187]

im trying to put an old used hd in my dell but the screen is black and even when i put in the windows cd it says drive not found press 1 or 2,please help.how can i erase the drive so i can install wnidows?

[CajunTechie]

@tweed187187 You don't need to erase the drive so you can install Windows. Boot from the Windows CD and allow the installer to do a clean install

[tweed187187]

@CajunTechie thanks alot.

[Minecrafter2133]

@ndmda7 I recommend LightRoxas idea just get a new one. And take out your hammer so you can destroy the virus. Or dban like the video said because it will also kill the virus and make it useable. If you are going to use dban use a 1 pass.

[Aaliyahjay]

so if i deleted everything on my pc and it don't turn on. how do i reinstall windows 7?

[TheXxneowolfxX]

@Aaliyahjay Do you have a desktop or a laptop? Both should still turn on even if you completely clean your hard drive. For a laptop, you can unplug the power cord and pull the battery and leave it for a few minutes and then reinstall battery and cord. For a desktop, you can turn off the actual power supply and/or remove the battery on the motherboard, wait a few and then pop back in the battery and flip the psu back on.

[Aaliyahjay]

@TheXxneowolfxX i have a laptop and i was just wondering because i read the commnet that said they wiped it but it wouldnt come on so i was just concerned if i deleted everything it wouldn't come back on. ty.

[TheXxneowolfxX]

@Aaliyahjay I've used dban and a couple other different programs to erase hdd. I've had no problems. Your computer should always turn on no matter what. During startup you may have to hit a certain button to get into the bios. Once you're into bios you should change what reads first; usually it's the hard drive, change that to the dvd/cd. Put your Windows cd into the dvd drive and reboot your computer. Once you reboot, it'll read the Windows cd and install.

[Aaliyahjay]

@TheXxneowolfxX ummm okay so what is the bios. i have a toshiba laptop and currently windows 7 ultimate and i have the cd. so when i turn on my laptop i need to press what button. sorry im new to this so i have questions. anyways so does it really erase your whole hard drive never to be recovered and everything even things deleted in the recycling bin?

[Aaliyahjay]

@TheXxneowolfxX oh and does it delete my cd/dvd drive. so when i reinstall will i stil be able to put dvds in my pc and it reads them?

[killerman102938]

@Aaliyahjay i think u just put tin the disk u got if from

[CajunTechie]

@Aaliyahjay Just use your Windows installation CD/DVD

[omid8888]

will this format it to ntfs?

[JordoSummach]

Question, can I use DBAN to clear the data and then reinstall windows for a totally fresh start? Ie, can I use DBAN instead of a system reformat? Thanks!

[spock431]

@JordoSummach when your done just use the installation cd for windows that you got when you bought it

[TheXxneowolfxX]

@JordoSummach Using dban is like taking a scrubber to your dishes. Formatting is like running water over a dish.

[chocolate12u]

Can you please answer this question if you know. Trying to install vista operating system on a clean hd but monitor keep going into power saving leaving me unable to see any prompts. Thank for any help!

[adamniles3]

I did this and it worked but when i went to go turn on my computer it would not turn on. why not?

[CajunTechie]

@adamniles3 Because it removes EVERYTHING from your computer - including your operating system (i.e. Windows or Linux). You will need to reinstall an operating system and any software you want on it before it will work.

[VanB13]

@adamniles3 LOL

[Joselox]

Does Dban remove cloth stain as well?

[LightRoxas117]

ITS TOO COMPLICATED AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA­AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH­HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH­HHHH!!!!!! FUCK IT ILL BYE A KNEW ONE GOD!!!!

[GreaseLightning02]

@LightRoxas117 too complicated? Geez it couldnt get much simpler!

[iownudie108]

man this thing is great ,i can make myself a new pc without buying a new hdd

[vladimirvputinstein]

just delete system32 and run a neodymium magnet over it like 10 times.

[CajunTechie]

@vladimirvputinstein The idea is that you want to gift your computer to someone else. If you are just tossing your computer then yeah, destroying the disk is a good deal (though not necessarily foolproof). But if you want to give your old computer away, running a magnet isn't the way to go.

[MrElementsk8erdude]

****please help me*** i just got a computer (not a lab top) from a girl in california and i cant connect it to the internet because she has a whole bunch of passwords so i need to know how to completly erase EVERYTHING but i don have internet help me!!!

[ken4561000]

@MrElementsk8erdude ask a friend to download and burn, then change the boot up to CD format like what he said. that should help. (and don't tell me that you do not have friends.)

[indianindianindian9]

@ken4561000 F12 most pc's

[Brad13139TV]

lol wipe responciably Was i the only one who got that?

[luigitheracoon12]

just use command prompt

[TheCerealkiller148]

OR... you can use magnets >:D

[cantremember121]

does it erase ur operatiing system

[TwistGraphics]

im trying to wipe my computer because i have so many unnecessary programs so if i do this will it help me

[youknowita]

@TwistGraphics

MiniTool Drive Wipe, FREE--MiniTool Drive Wipe could destroy all information in your chosen disks safely and permanently.

Once data erased by MiniTool Drive Wipe, the data will not be able to recover by any data recovery software

t can ensure the security of your private and unwanted data and prevent someone from recovering your data.

if you really want to destory your data, you can't miss it.

[loltpily2114]

Btw, I love the C|NET vid's :)

[loltpily2114]

I hope it works :)

[XxiiMJordanJrXx]

how can you delete the program off your flash drive?

[nanky432]

@XxiiMJordanJrXx bro, if I where you I would get rid of that flash drive that software is a extremely dangerous to have around, when I use it on my old computer I use a disk and when all was done to be safe I destroyed the disk that's how paranoid I was about it...

[Creature12345678]

Will it take off everything such as the desktop items to? I'm new to this...

[Minecrafter2133]

Or just get a hammer...

[AceADHD]

@Minecrafter2133 or a pickaxe

[Minecrafter2133]

@AceADHD Or TNT...

[Sasukelegend5]

@Minecrafter2133 but you can still get money for a used computer :) don't go smash happy less you want it in the scrap heap..

[CajunTechie]

@Minecrafter2133 Not true. There are ways to recover usable information from fragmented hard disks. That just scrambles the information, it doesn't guarantee it's non-recoverable.

[tanello2]

@CajunTechie it will be when you dismember the drive FOREVER!

[thelordhamza1]

does it delete widows ?? plz replay

[beepmeepbeep]

Why is it so hard for people to understand that deleting everything really means deleting everything. YES your operating system will be gone. EVERYTHING on the hard drive will be gone. And EVERYTHING also includes your operating system.

This deletes EVERYTHING.

[AgentCell]

@beepmeepbeep Ok I have two hard drives. One old and one fairly new. I'm trying to use the dban on the fairly new one so I can restore it back to factory setting. And you mentioned that it will erase everything including the OS. But my other old hard drive will not undergo the dban. So does that mean that my old hard drive will still have the OS and every data stored if I decide to use my old hard drive again in my laptop? Please reply.

[vinceandlilly]

What about mac?

[LilmisFabubooboo1243]

i dont have a blank disc only a flashdrive will that work?

[powermaks]

@LilmisFabubooboo1243 maybe, its called a live USB not a live CD

[LilmisFabubooboo1243]

does this erase the windows off of it too??

[powermaks]

@LilmisFabubooboo1243 tes

[BibleGuy11]

let me re frame the question, what do i need to make all the programs gone??? but not windows ofcourse

[CajunTechie]

@BibleGuy11 This is not the program you want. This will remove EVERYTHING from your hard disk INCLUDING Windows Vista. If all you want to do is remove the stuff you've installed since you purchased your computer, use your recovery disk. That will bring it back to factory settings.

[KungFriedChicken]

@CajunTechie and the recovery disk is where ?... was i suppose to make one earlier ?

[XDKiru]

@CajunTechie So i can Clear everything adn add lets say windows 7

[BibleGuy11]

will this erase windows vista?

[Selsiuss2]

I have two hard drives in my computer. I want to use the second one to store media files while I use the first to install and run programs from. I have my operating system(Windows 7 Home Premium) on the first drive.

I want to completely wipe and reformat the second hard drive before I start putting new files on it. How would I do that, preferably without booting my computer in the BIOS. The second hard drive was one from my old computer that used windows vista and now I only want it for storage

[Random7Guy]

11 people didn't get to see nudie pictures.

[VampireLincoln]

If you want to completely erase a hard drive then no. With forensics software you can recover almost all of the data. Get a cd or a flash drive with (Ubuntu, SUSE, Debian...etc) and run the following command:

# shred -v f z -n 100 / dev / hda

[THExXXxBEST]

before i do this just one question will it uninstall all the softywares and my oparation system win 7 YES or NO please dont explain just tell me if one of those two will be uninstalled my softwares and windows 7

[thepiebetrayer]

Will ANYONE be able to recover the data? I know they're talking mostly about the average user but I mean ANYONE?

[adriky102]

so if you wanted to completely destroy everything on the pc, would you recommend going through the individual files like you showed, or using autonuke?

[CajunTechie]

@umalik7866 In traditional formats, a layer of information is NOT placed on top of the deleted data. In fact, the data isn't actually deleted at all. The space is just marked as 'usable' and *can* be overwritten. If the government (or even some free software tools available to us now) gets your pc, they can recover most of the data. Using this tool, the data is overwritten with 0's making it non-recoverable even to the government.

[XxzephyrusxX1]

or use your windows 7 install (format) dvd  and when u install windows u will be asked to format your hard drive..

[CajunTechie]

@XxzephyrusxX1 Not true. Windows 7 *formats* a hard drive; it does NOT *erase* it. It simply sets up a new file system on the drive and marks data as "able to be overwritten". The data is ALL still there and recoverable. dBan (this tool) *erases* the data where it is no longer recoverable. Format and erase are different things.

[XxzephyrusxX1]

@CajunTechie oh.I didnt know that ;) Thanks

[GGOvids]

Can I burn on my good pc and then I enter it to my slow pc?

And will I be able to re-install windows later?

[CajunTechie]

@GGOvids Yes you can. You can burn it on any PC then use it on another. And yes you will be able to reinstall Windows once you're done.

[CONN3232]

how did you burn it???? just put it on there?

[CajunTechie]

@CONN3232 Get something like ImgBurn or another software capable of writing ISO files to a disk. Burn the ISO to a disk and you're good to go.

[CONN3232]

@CajunTechie ok, thanks :)

[nishy0895]

does this put ur pc to factory setting?? and can the pc be used again??

[CajunTechie]

@nishy0895 No, it doesn't. It erases everything. If you need to reset your PC to factory settings use your recovery disk. This tool is made to securely erase your hard drive so that NO DATA CAN BE RECOVERED from it.

[HAMWI253]

Dam is that Molly wood she actually looks old here but know she looks young

[xoxo12345678906544]

Wipe responsibly XD

[WeirdBurger2000]

10 people did't back-up their data.

[demongamer1989]

is a difference between restoring a pc to factory settings & wiping the hard drive on the pc?

[CajunTechie]

@demongamer1989 Wiping a hard drive on a PC removes everything from the drive and (usually) overwrites the drive with 0's so the data can't be recovered. Nothing, including the operating system or programs, are left on the drive. System restore reinstalls everything the way it was when you bought your PC and (may) do a format before it does so.

[goosehunterb]

Hey there, I have 2 hard drives, i cloned the old one to the new HDD, but i want to nuke the old one, Afterwards, if i put the new CLONED HDD in will my Windows 7 OS still work? It ONLY destroys information on the Hard Disk Drive right?

[DFnDMonzteR]

I got somthin to say so i got win7 and it was all fucked up so i put the Win7 CD in my comp to re but it but after alll that i did right so wen it was settin my desktop it open to i went to "My computer"and alllll my info was still here... wata fuk? so i got to win7 accounts? and i got 25. gb left of space like the other account! i want to completely erase the files!

[thedesertred09]

is this bootable??

[kelseylynnify]

Alrighty i want somebody to message me back fast.I'm not selling my laptop.I just want everything of of it..like a fresh new start...so if i use this..i an dowlaod windows internet again and stuff right? I've had this laptop for 3 years now and i has all kinds of stuff on it..i want it all gone..but i want to be able to use is afterwards...likegoing on the internet and everything too.

HELP

[DSOXBLADE]

And Don't Forget Folks, Wipe Responsibly.

[Steven090755]

Hi I have just used the Darik's Boot And Nuke software version 2.2.6 beta for the first time, and as I suspected its states on the blue screen just before a wipe that the DOD 5220.22m spec for wiping a drive is based on the Heidi Eraser algorithm. can you tell me if any of the other options that are available for wiping do not use an algorithm and if this is possible!?

thanks

[Nicholasdude187]

I want to get ride of this virus and clear my data killing two birds with one stone. This will kill the virus too wont it? Its come to the point where my computer wont let me download anything. However sense this activates at the start of the computer I think it will work. I have already saved all my data but I just want to know WILL IT KILL THE VIRUS? I already want to wipe this bicth I just want to make sure it kills the virus also

[Steven090755]

how can you be sure that this software can completely wipe a hard drive ?

I don't think that its possible. surely if someone know what type of algorithm you used to wipe the drive then they recover all of your data?

[CajunTechie]

@Steven090755 No, not true. There is no 'algorithm' being used to wipe the drive. The data is erased then overwritten several times with zeros. All data recovery software does is to retrieve data that is still in place after t's been deleted. Since this overwrites the data, there is no way to recover it.

[Logie1998]

does this keep the main stuff on your laptop like the stuff like internet and stuff please send messaage back :p an im not getting rid of my laptop just need to fix it bad i have to many viruses

[CajunTechie]

@Logie1998 No it does not. EVERYTHING is erased. If you need to get rid of a virus, this is NOT what you'd use. Get a good antivirus program. The tool discussed in this video will erase EVERYTHING.

[TTXNero]

@CajunTechie If everything is erased, why isn't the virus gone then? and btw, after i nuked my pc, will it delete OS? and if so, will i be able to reinstall OS?!

[CajunTechie]

@TTXNero In a traditional format nothing is actually erased. It's just marked as usable. There are some situations where a virus can survive that. Using DBAN, it will destroy the data and overwrite it so the virus won't survive (except under VERY specific circumstances that involve another partition. The man in the video is right: it will erase everything. DBAN is made to completely and securely erase your hard disk so tha tno data can be recovered. Traditional formatting doesn't do that.

[TTXNero]

@CajunTechie thanks, but if i do this, will it delete my operation system? win7?

[Burgundyyyyy]

Someone please help! I have the command screen up where u have to enter "autonuke" but when i do nothing happens then when i press enter it takes me too the next menue, not recognizing any of my drives and then it just crashes! what am i doin wrong?

[bizarrebob]

thanks. I'm going to use this because i bought a HDD on eBay, put all my stuff on it and it failed.

So i'm going to format the HDD using this and hopefully get rid of every single byte of data i ever put on it so it can NEVER be recovered. (Nothing dodgey was on my HDD), i just dont want my passwords being recovered.

[TheItsfly]

LETS OVERKILL MY LAPTOP!

[Ronald21215]

its getting stuck at PCI (syfs) and I'm using a usb, its working on my moms computer and it works. Check out my vid and please leave a comment to help me thanks

youtube.com/watch?v=ORoHCHRuVQ­c

[BloodyKnife636]

if you do this will it delete lets say my games i bought in Steam and my account?

[iBangNubs]

@BloodyKnife636 No it wont but you will have to install them again

[DeeDeeForever21]

I'm very confused, How do you burn the program. I want to use a zip drive not a disc.

[DeeDeeForever21]

Im Confused how do you burn an iso image and what is it?

[dionis198686]

Perhaps you can give your email...



[CajunTechie]

@dionis198686 For those of you who are simply trying to erase your hard disk please view my clarification about why you should NOT use this program. The video is on my channel and called "How to Securely Erase Your Hard Drive - A Clarification".

[dionis198686]

@CajunTechie How do i view your clarification ? thx

[FMXrider45]

@CajunTechie so will this wipe everything? viruses including?

[dionis198686]

oops, i didn't know that i can't post the link on youtube sorry ))

[dionis198686]

Hi, i'm trying to format my PC

[dionis198686]

I did everything right, burned the iso-file to a cd using nero, restarted my pc booted from cd/drive and it says 'error ' i'm running the problemfull windows vista home premium any advices ?

[CajunTechie]

@dionis198686 What problems are you having with Vista that you are needing to use this tool? 

[dionis198686]

@CajunTechie Vista has some errors and except that i don't like it, your video is useful thanks for that

[peridotjay40]

very helpfull indeed only i need to erase the whole thing to get rid of it

[rotsebanotman]

if you do this to a computer, it will also get rid of viruses right?

[ThisIsAGreatName]

@rotsebanotman

derp. yes.

[Thyme000]

I have a hard drive that I got from my uncle. It is better than my current one. Well when I tried using it and since it was used. It has a password, well I tried ophcrack to get the password so I could save the OS, but it did not work. But now I don't think there is any other choice. So if I do this and reinstall a diffrent OS it will work just fine. Right?

[XFXHITMAN]

dose this also wipe out the OS ? and if it does can i just put what ever OS cd i want?

[CajunTechie]

Let me repeat something here that has been said a few times before on this video: If all you're doing is erasing one operating system to install another you DO NOT NEED DBAN. DBAN was specifically created to securely wipe a PC hard drive if you're going to sell it and don't want anyone to recover the data on it. Using DBAN to wipe a disk you're going to keep and reinstall the OS on is OVERKILL and UNNEEDED.

[dionis198686]

@CajunTechie that was helpful info thanks for repeating

[holyvoyeur]

What is the difference between the DoD Short and the DoD 5220,22-M?

I just need to get rid of Vista before I install Windows 7, and want to start with a clean slate.

I have two HHDs; one system disc and one just for storage. But I only need to erase the system disc, don't I? Can I then just disconnect the storage drive from the MoBo, and run the DBaN only on the system disc?

I also read that this process takes AT LEAST 12 hours. Is this true? Can I then leave the computer to it self?

Thanks!

[holyvoyeur]

@holyvoyeur That's supposed to be "two HDDs"...

[yungballer92]

thanks for the info i bought this hdd from amazon and it had so much stuff on it thanks again

[halodude03]

I have lost all admin right ti my computer what do i do?

[gReEnAdDiCt85]

@MoisChanVsTamama That's funny, because you obviously can't read, I never called you stupid. I wouldn't do that because I don't know you.

[wasitrealy]

@MoisChanVsTamama Both of you fuck off and go use something called a "personal message" rather than cluttering up someones comments part of a video.

[wasitrealy]

Might be useful for people who are about to be fucked by the FBI. or maybe somehow they will find information :P

[gReEnAdDiCt85]

@MoisChanVsTamama how did all the other people who liked my comment realize it was sarcasm? idc anyway. joke was over 4 MONTHS AGO

[gReEnAdDiCt85]

@MoisChanVsTamama DUDE... it was a joke. Go to google and type " define:sarcasm "

[Socko818]

My dad got pissed at me for a finding a laptop cheaper than mine when they're both the same model he wants to sell mine I want to wipeout all my data

[rayn995]

0:30 to 0:40 hahahahahahaha the poor box XD

[DjAdam16]

What algorithm is considered to be better then DoD?

[travisjedmonds100]

wipe responsibly lol

[M76Knight]

Whipe responsibly.

[spanishlover2523]

the OS cd??? is this the cd that comes with laptop when you purchase it??

[Reapersmovies]

I have a question, just for clarity. I got a virus on my computer thats making alot of my programs including my web browsers(unless I'm running as administrator) and even Itunes unuseable. So once I make this disc from Darik's Boot and Nuke and use it to Completely wipe my computer, can I then put my operating systems disk into my computer and download everything i need to make my computer like new off the shelf?

[UnknownUser356]

@Reapersmovies

Yes, this program will COMPLETELY erase EVERYTHING from you computer. Before you run this program make sure you have all your information such as pictures, music, documents, etc... backed up, and that you have all the drivers necessary for your computer to work once you reinstall your OS.

[fReAkInGaMeR1000]

will this affect my antivirus system?