This is going to be the noobiest question ever.

Jasiono

Ok, this will probably be the most noobish question, so I apologize in advance.

I have Windows 7 and I want to do a DOD wipe on the computer. What does that entail?

If I do a DOD wipe on it, will I be able to reinstall windows with my system repair disc?

I gutted my computer once I got it and put it into an antec case. I don't have a windows CD key, will this cause an issue or is the key embedded somewhere which negates me needing it?

Is there another utility out there that will COMPLETELY get rid of every file I have on the computer, along with every trace?

You're probably thinking why I would ask this and I assure you it's nothing of illegal nature, it has to deal with confidentiality.

Roguetadhg

Disk Wiping.
I perform NSA on our company harddrives. Although if you're paranoid enough, try Gutterman(?) which is 32 passes of writing 1s and 0s.

I'm not sure, I've never tried to use a harddrive after wiping it. Im pretty sure it's standardized for the US government - don't expect to do much with the harddrive except use it as a paper weight.

You may be able to low-level format it to reuse it?

emerald_octane

umm if you want to DOD multipass just use darik's boot and nuke (DBAN) on the ultimate boot cd.

For premium erase short of gauss and physical destruction, use HDDErase (also on the ultimate boot cd) and issue ATA_SECURE_ERASE which the disks firmware to destroy the data.

http://notepad2.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-secure-erase-your-hard-drive.html

Jasiono

Can I reformat it several times to overwrite the so called "ghost" images left behind of the deleted files?

Whiteout

This is what we use in the air force for non-classified systems:

Who Trusts and Uses WipeDrive? | WhiteCanyon Software

Classified systems must be destroyed.

Jasiono

Whiteout

Thanks for the link.


Now the question of whether or not I can use a system repair disc alone or if I need that cd key


Oh I found the product key in my computer, joy!

Jasiono

TuneUp Utilities 2012 - Functions - Delete files safely


Apparently this uses the gutmann method? Is it pretty decent? Say that I handed my PC over to an extremely knowledgeable user, would he/she be able to recover the files?

I have tune up shredder already, shredding files right now 8 times over.

Patel128

I do not know about TuneUp, but I know DBAN works great. I have heard a lot of great things about WipeDrive also.

netsysllc

With current hard drives anything that overwrites the data is enough. In the old days with low density drives there was ways to recover some data due to the design of the disks but that is no longer an issue. Read this for starters http://www.vidarholen.net/~vidar/overwriting_hard_drive_data.pdf