USB key solution to perform laptop disk wipe

[cornershop]

I think the above sums it up.

Looking for a bootable USB key solution that will allow me to wipe the HDD of a few old windows laptops

Was planning on using free version of https://dban.org/

Anything better out there?

[sgrimshaw]

Hiren's BootCD (works from USB too):

https://www.hirensbootcd.org/download/

[sicarumba]

Ubuntu can be booted from USB and the commands to format (and even perform multiple pass zero-out if you wish) are pretty straightforward.

[cornershop]

Thanks both, I’ll review your suggestions.

My tech skills are now very limited, so easy options preferred.

[camel_landy]

The important thing is to make sure the media is overwritten and not just 'formatted' as the formatting process doesn't actually wipe any residual data.

FWIW - I use Blancco but I'm not sure if there's a nice 'off-the-shelf' solution for what you want.

M

[dundarach]

I assuming you're planning to either sell or dispose of them?

In which case, take out the drives and destroy them, they cost a few quid and not worth the risk (nor is actually selling them to be honest.)

If you're keeping and giving to the kids etc. just reinstall OS.

I'd dump them, unless you're really short of cash!

[cornershop]

Was planning on giving them to charitee - there is a local one using them to run a Linux VM (I guess) off them, so although 5-6 years old, they should still work ok.

[I-A]

Hi OP,

Out of interest, what made you want to move away from DBAN?

The IT team at a previous company used it.

Last time I did this I used KillDisk I think.

Number of passes is key.

Thanks

[cornershop]

I-A said:

Hi OP,

Out of interest, what made you want to move away from DBAN?

The IT team at a previous company used it.

Last time I did this I used KillDisk I think.

Number of passes is key.

Thanks

Hi - I was planning on using it, unless there is something better out there. I last used it about 5 yrs ago, so wondering if competition has improved.

[chadders74]

I thought a single pass of writing zeros was enough on anything post 1990's, has the challenge been won yet for a file recovered from a single passed drive?