[Guide] How to completely erase a hard drive

[murkan]

How to clear all contents of your hard drive

Ever wonder how to wipe all your personal files off your computer? It's not as easy as it sounds, when you delete it and empty the recycle bin, it's not actually deleted. The data is still in there and there are files that can retrieve it, and it stays there until your computer is running out of space and needs to write over it.

With this tool, you'll be able to clear everything and leave no trail whatsoever. It uses the same method that the Department of Defense uses. Just use the tool in the download link and follow my instructions, you might want to print them out in case you forget.

1. Download Darik's Boot and Nuke Download Darik's Boot and Nuke from SourceForge.net
2. Burn the iso onto a CD/DVD
3. Insert the disc in the computer you want to clear
4. Go into your computer's BIOS and make sure it boots from CD
5. Boot up the CD and proceed to step 14
6. Press the Enter key
7. Press Space on each partition you want to clear
8. Press N and choose DoD5220.22-M
9. Press F10 and you're done

Enjoy!

[Subset]

Right click drive
Format

Isn't that another way?

[nothinglol]

Sledgehammer + magnet?

edit: seriously, wouldn't that work?

[murkan]

You'll still be able to retrieve the files if you just do it that way, but if you use this method all files are cleared and you can clear all partitions you usually don't have access too.

A magnet works too, but if you want to reuse your hard drive this is the best method.

[m0rbidang3l]

CCleaner can also do this...