Best free secure erase/delete app?

I'm considering selling some of my harddrives (FAT32 and NTFS) which I have already formatted. But before I do, I'd like the peace of mind that my previously stored information is not recoverable. What is the best free application that wipes the harddrive clean and prevents data recovery? I've heard of eraser and a few others. Is it true that these apps still leave the filenames intact?

 

Eraser...'nuff said.

 

The programs that run within Windows will leave the filenames intact because they can't erase the Master File Table (because Windows is using it). Use DBAN. There are lots of options depending how secure you want to be. The Department of Defense option is probably secure enough.

http://dban.sourceforge.net/

EDIT: Actually thinking about it more if you are plugging into the drive externally (not booting from it), then Eraser will securely erase everything fine.

 

I second Eraser, it doesn't leave behind file names. Everything gets overwritten multiple times and everything is destroyed.

 

The majority will be external HDDs (never booted from, only used to store data) but I may also sell my notebook HDD once I upgrade it to a larger one. If I wanted to securely erase my notebook HDD (while installed) just prior to upgrading, would DBAN be the better option?

 

Well if that is the only hard drive you have to boot from, then yes BDAN will be better. DBAN runs from a CD so it doesn't use the hard drive while working. This allows it to erase every sector of the drive.

However the downside to DBAN is that your computer is unusable while it is working, so it can get boring waiting for it . (Expect hours).

 

I used Eraser, and then the power went out (I never have my battery when Im, plugged into the wall), and when the power came back on a lot of Windows was corrupt. I couldn't view images with the Windows Picture Viewer, music would give me bsod'd instantly, programs would error on boot and some of my right-click context menus disappeared. I use Clean Disk Security now, haven't had a problem yet.

 

That is probably because Eraser was cleaning the MFT the moment your power went out.

Lesson learned: get a backup power source.

 

Wait, so does Eraser wipe the MFT or not?

 

As far as I knew it doesn't. Most wiping programs can't access it while Windows is running... But Greg seems to know what he's talking about, so maybe I'm wrong here.

Just looked up on google. It appears that it does, however that seems a little pointless as a new MFT record would be created for all the files currently on the computer... DBAN seems like a more comprehensive solution with that in mind. Since I think Eraser actually uses DBAN to run.

 

Active@ KillDisk (FREE version) FTW

 

Using Eraser, how do you completely remove all the data on an external harddrive, not just the unused space? I formatted, used Eraser, and noticed that 1-2gb of space is still being used.

I take it this is Eraser?

As for DBAN, it doesn't work with my M1530. Worked fine on my older laptop though. I'm assuming it is a notebook SATA compatibility issue?

 

DBAN should work with SATA... Are you sure you're using the latest version?

If you're having trouble with the direct download try the one on UBCD:

http://www.dban.org/download

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

Sorry I can't help with your Eraser issue, as I favor DBAN . But I'd think if you remove all the partitions prior to wiping than the program should address every sector.

 

If you're feeling extra paranoid, let the drive soak in some salt water after you zero it.

 

Wouldn't that damage the drive? I want to sell it, not destroy it.

Gregory, I'm using the latest stable DBAN release 1.0.7. But I will try your removed partition method. Thanks.

 

LOL..he was being sarcastic..of course it would damage it.
I would also have to say active killdisk. i have used that for 4 years when needed and love it!

 

i am also considering selling my current laptop and was wondering if Eraser will remove the current updates and who the computer is registered to?

 

Just a minor update. Removing all partitions from the harddrive prevents it from showing up in Eraser.