wiping laptop hard drive

Strictly speaking this isn't really travel related, but I'm hoping I can get some useful advice. Does anyone know how to completely wipe a hard drive so that personal information can't be retrieved? It won't connect to the internet, so I can't download any programs. Apart from taking a hammer to it or dropping it overboard on the cross-Channel ferry what can I do?
Thanks in advance

See here:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/15817/wipe-delete-and-securely-destroy-your-hard-drives-data-the-easy-way/

Not that easy to use it's kinda old style looking. You may also be able to get a free software off your hard drive manufacturer's webpage. Basically there are diff tests available like off that link the better the cleaner type the longer it takes - this means hours or even day(s).

You may need to create a CD/DVD to boot the computer up and do it that way or do it thru USB if you don't have one but USB booting can be tricky, it's not legacy, can be time consuming and tricky to set up. Or take the HD out and plug it into a computer with a DVD drive and do it that way.

This one a bit easier to use but you would need a running computer (Windows) and plug your HD as a 2nd drive inorder to do it. Or do the old DOS way ie before Windows 95 with a boot disk, DVD, CD etc.... From a glance it may not be as elaborate or that intensive should be ok thou for most pple.

http://how-to-erase-hard-drive.com/

Edited by: Rayonline

Would be the answer if it would let me connect to the internet. But I can't download anything.

How are you getting on the net here then?

If you cannot get on the internet then I guess you cannot get these more elaborate software to perform the wipe. You can use the computer you are using now on LP, download it, make that CD and boot the laptop that up in question. If it does have a CD Drive that is.

The old laptop does indeed have a CD drive, but I'm accessing LP on an iPad, which doesn't!! I think I'll go for dismantling as much as I can and bashing it with a hammer.

if you can't download any software then a hammer is best.

Rayonline - FYI DBAN has been one of the best (freeware) disk wiping software around. I have used it and also the company I used to work for also uses it to wipe our clients' PCs before selling them.

or use a internet cafe or borrow someone's laptop.

I`ve answered similar questions for most of the last 30 years, and I always have to ask.... Why?

Whats on there that is so important that you think someone will take the time to find it? Once youve erased it, I mean. And/or reinstalled a new OS after wiping it?

Worst can I can imagine is that text file with all your bank accts, PINs, and passwords. Change them all.

Oh, oops, could be porn. I see the problem :)

No it isn't porn.
I've been told that stuff like bank details can be retrieved from a computer even if they aren't in a file marked 'Confidential - bank details and passwords ' and I am nervous about just discarding it at the local tip. That's why I asked for help in wiping the hard drive without having internet access.

And Pirate - if I knew how to erase it and reinstall an 'OS' whatever that is - I wouldn't have asked for help.

Reinstalling an operating system does not (automatically) wipe your hard drive. Even formatting the hard drive does not actually wipe the content of the hard drive. There are tools that can retrieve data on the hard drive after re/formating.

The only sure way if you want to keep or resell the hard drive is to use a program to write zeros, ones and random zeros and ones to the drive itself. If you are going to toss it, a hammer is just fine.

Change your details. And learn from this.

But... You also din`t answer. You have a list of people to turn into the police who want that password_

I wouldn't be paranoid either, if everyone wasn't out to get me.

Thanks PhiMeow

As I am just getting rid of it, a hammer seems to be the simplest option. For some of us who were born in the first half of last century, it's also the solution I can understand.

What laptop is it? Brand and model.
To take a hard drive out - and put another it - is usually not that difficult.

Is it a old piece of junk you want to get rid of anyway or could it still be useful for you?

Instead of using a software like DBAN, I would recommend using a certified erasure software to ensure that your hard drive is completely wiped. I've always used a program called WipeDrive by WhiteCanyon Software. http://www.whitecanyon.com/ConsumerWipeDrive I've never had any problems with them.

Thank you all for your various suggestions.
I have now dismantled as much as I can and bashed what's left with a hammer. That I feel should do the trick.

The issue is if someone really wanted the information you probably could not do anything to stop them recovering it. That said the effort to getting the information is probably too much for the average petty thief or scammer. Its really just about making it not worth their time to try.

so yes the hammer would have been one way.

A powerful electric magnet, like those used in scrap yards.