How to use DBAN Boot and Nuke Hard Drive Data Wiping Software for Windows, Linux & Mac on CD

sierradi · 07-02-2017, 05:25 PM

I bought DBAN Boot and Nuke Hard Drive Data Wiping Software for Windows, Linux & Mac on CD on ebay. I didn't understand the directions. I inserted the cd into a Dell laptop. It didn't do anything. Please post details to clean a laptop with Windows 10. Thanks, Sierradi

yancek · 07-02-2017, 10:15 PM

There are quite a large number of sites with explanations and tutorials on it similar to the one below.

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/dban.html

!!! · 07-03-2017, 05:01 AM

Which F2/F12 key to press (possibly "rapidly") at power-on may depend on Dell model.
Try this web search, adding model#: how to boot linux live cd on dell laptop

Tap rapidly on the F12 key when you see the Dell logo appear during start up. This will take you to the Boot Once menu.
You can use the Cursor/Arrow keys to navigate the menu and highlight your selection. It will be either boot from USB or Boot from CD/DVD Drive. Once your Choice is highlighted hit the ENTER key.

Or:

Pressed F2 when the "Dell" logo appeared.
Turned off "Secure Boot".
Advance Boot Options: Enabled Legacy
Boot Sequence = Legacy.

Welcome to LQ! Let us know how things go. btw, are you sure you want to erase your laptop? (why?)

AwesomeMachine · 07-03-2017, 10:45 AM

The best way to clear a drive is:

Code:

$ dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sda bs=64k

That way you know it's really wiping the drive. If you want to check that the drive is really zeroed out, you can do:

Code:

$ dd if=dev/sda | hexdump -C | grep [^00]

Other utilities may or may not be wiping the drive. In fact, most of them don't wipe the whole drive.

You can tell, because to nuke a drive the way DBan claims to takes about 6 hours for a 120 GB SATA drive. But in practice it will only take that long if you run it once and then shut down the machine and run it again.