LinuxQuestions.org
Latest LQ Deal: Latest LQ Deals
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Software
User Name
Password
Linux - Software This forum is for Software issues.
Having a problem installing a new program? Want to know which application is best for the job? Post your question in this forum.

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 06-20-2012, 05:37 AM   #1
brilyant
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Mar 2006
Posts: 9

Rep: Reputation: 3
Tiny system to wipe hdds


I have a task that involves wiping data from hard drives before disposal.

Current solution is to put hdd into Linux box and use dd to write random numbers all over it.

Is it possible to construct a single bootable floppy with sufficient software to create a running system, so I can execute a small number of utilities?

Andrew
 
Old 06-20-2012, 05:47 AM   #2
ukiuki
Senior Member
 
Registered: May 2010
Location: Planet Earth
Distribution: Debian
Posts: 1,030

Rep: Reputation: 385Reputation: 385Reputation: 385Reputation: 385
This: http://www.tinycorelinux.com/ It is very small and have what you need.

Regards
 
Old 06-20-2012, 05:57 AM   #3
syg00
LQ Veteran
 
Registered: Aug 2003
Location: Australia
Distribution: Lots ...
Posts: 21,099

Rep: Reputation: 4117Reputation: 4117Reputation: 4117Reputation: 4117Reputation: 4117Reputation: 4117Reputation: 4117Reputation: 4117Reputation: 4117Reputation: 4117Reputation: 4117
That should work - I've always kept a copy of the gentoo minimal around. Has all the tools I need.

BTW, the kernel won't fit on a floppy these days - you're up for a CD. Maybe one of the minis would do for you.
 
Old 06-20-2012, 06:45 AM   #4
pixellany
LQ Veteran
 
Registered: Nov 2005
Location: Annapolis, MD
Distribution: Mint
Posts: 17,809

Rep: Reputation: 743Reputation: 743Reputation: 743Reputation: 743Reputation: 743Reputation: 743Reputation: 743
http://www.dban.org/
 
Old 06-20-2012, 07:48 AM   #5
TobiSGD
Moderator
 
Registered: Dec 2009
Location: Germany
Distribution: Whatever fits the task best
Posts: 17,148
Blog Entries: 2

Rep: Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886Reputation: 4886
DBAN will do the job. For a somewhat similar purpose (wiping out the MBR on all disks in the system) I created a very small (about 5MB, if I remember correctly) Linux system that can be booted from CD/USB/network. It was pretty easy, I did it this way:
1. Use Slackware's mkinitrd command to create a filesystem tree for being used as root file-system
2. Modify the init script to just initialize the hardware (using Busybox's mdev) and then use dd to write zeroes to the disk.
3. Create a kernel config that only contains the drivers you need (in this case disk controller drivers) and point it to the filesystem tree with the modified root filesystem.
4. Compile the kernel.

After that you can use the bootloader of your choice (like Isolinux for CD, Syslinux/Extlinux for USB, Pxelinux for network boot) to load that kernel, it will automatically do the job.
Keep in mind that if you want to boot from USB not to compile the driver for USB storage devices, or you will overwrite the USB disk also.
 
Old 06-20-2012, 01:33 PM   #6
jefro
Moderator
 
Registered: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,921

Rep: Reputation: 3618Reputation: 3618Reputation: 3618Reputation: 3618Reputation: 3618Reputation: 3618Reputation: 3618Reputation: 3618Reputation: 3618Reputation: 3618Reputation: 3618
The only problem with floppy based distro's is the age of the kernel needed. You may not have driver support. Not even sure you can get linux on a single floppy anymore. If your system is supported then the old Tom's boot disk was "the most linux on a floppy" and there are a few others out there still

A pxe or gpxe of live usb live cd sort of deal could be made to do automated boots and work for larger images as noted above.

If you are simply disposing of them then get an old demagnetizer.
 
Old 06-20-2012, 02:20 PM   #7
etech3
Senior Member
 
Registered: Jul 2009
Location: Virginia
Distribution: Debian Stable Testing Sid Slackware CentOS
Posts: 1,055
Blog Entries: 2

Rep: Reputation: 45
Thumbs up +1 dban

DBAN will do the job. I still use my copy my from 2008. Just haven't got around to downloading the one.
 
Old 06-21-2012, 01:30 AM   #8
brilyant
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Mar 2006
Posts: 9

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 3
Thanks everyone for the wide range of possibilities - plenty of scope for investigation.

Using an old distro may not be out of the question - I've just had to deal with a Pentium II.

Andrew
 
  


Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
System Wipe - Clean up before restore micxz Linux - Security 18 07-11-2009 01:06 PM
Tiny fonts and unstable system after upgrade walterbyrd Debian 2 01-30-2008 01:56 PM
Accessing other HDDs/Booting from other HDDs Namatacka Ubuntu 2 05-07-2006 11:21 AM
xfs problem? X Server won't start after system wipe browny_amiga Linux - General 3 09-22-2003 08:06 AM
defrag causes mandrake to wipe out system dick19272000 Linux - General 1 02-17-2002 03:57 PM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Software

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:34 PM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration