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Darik's not kidding about the "nuke" in the name of his program: use DBAN only if you want to completely eradicate any trace of data on a hard drive. This is the ultimate in data shredding--there's no recovery once you've used it.
There are two work flows for using DBAN. When it loads, you can type "autonuke" and press Enter. From there, DBAN will show you the progress being made on wiping your hard drive's data. Larger HDs will take longer, of course. There's a more configurable option, as well. Hit Enter at the start-up screen, and the Interactive mode will let you select specific hard drives or partitions to be shredded. Use the space bar and up-arrow and down-arrow keys to navigate and select from shredding algorithm options, and press F10 to start the process.
Because DBAN loads before your operating system, there's not going to be much of an interface. If you're not familiar with the look and feel of DOS or changing your BIOS configuration, proceed with DBAN with extreme caution. DBAN must be loaded onto a CD, DVD, floppy disk, or USB thumbdrive to be used.
Publisher's Description
From Darik Horn:
Darik's Boot and Nuke ("DBAN") is a self-contained boot disk that securely wipes the hard disks of most computers. DBAN will automatically and completely delete the contents of any hard disk that it can detect, which makes it an appropriate utility for bulk or emergency data destruction.
DBAN is a means of ensuring due diligence in computer recycling, a way of preventing identity theft if you want to sell a computer, and a good way to totally clean a Microsoft Windows installation of viruses and spyware. DBAN prevents or thoroughly hinders all known techniques of hard disk forensic analysis.
This version of Darik's Boot And Nuke is for use on CD and DVD media.
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All versions:
4.2 starsout of 46 votes
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Current version:
3.9 starsout of 17 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Very Effective Boot and wipe software"
Version: Darik's Boot and Nuke for CD and DVD 2.2.6 beta
Pros
It is a small dos based system that will run and install on even older computers.
Easy to use and walks you through the configuration.Cons
It is only intended for entire disk wipes, it does not let you do file specific deletions.
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"Free - But not very easy to use"
Version: Darik's Boot and Nuke for CD and DVD 2.2.6 beta
Pros
Wipes the drive
FreeCons
Autonuke would not work, said there were non fatal errors. Had to resort to a D.O.D. option.
Took over 8 hours to wipe a 320 GB HD.
Tough to get it to a CD/DVD. Several failed attempts.Summary
Hey, it's free so not much to complain about. If your drive has some issues, as I suspect mine did, it will take a LONG time to get the drive wiped. Don't know if the issues the drive had were related to Autonuke not working.
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"Great problem, KGB couldn't get it the data back."
Version: Darik's Boot and Nuke for CD and DVD 2.2.6 beta
Pros
Easy. What's hard about autonuke?
Cons
I had no problems.
Summary
It's a great program. I use it with little issues, nothing a hammer won't fix. And the price they charge you, who can complain?
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"Works as advertised"
Version: Darik's Boot and Nuke for CD and DVD 2.2.6 beta
Pros
Easy, automatic
Cons
It took a little time to figure out I had to use the right software to burn the bootup disk. I first tried using Sonic to create the DVD, but that didn't work as the computer didn't recognize it when I tried to bootup with it. Only after I used the recommended CDBurnerXP software was the DVD created properly such that it would work.
Summary
A very thorough disk wiping program if you give it the few hours it takes to work properly.
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"Not Intuitive"
Version: Darik's Boot and Nuke for CD and DVD 2.2.6 beta
Pros
Wiped drive clean (it appears). Many options for doing so.
Cons
Can't cancel once it's started. Because it's not intuitive and somewhat difficult to figure out what one wants to do, one can inadvertently can set this up to run for days. It will stop if the PC is turned off, but if the PC is dicey to begin with, one may be reluctant to try this step.
Summary
It does what it's supposed to and it's free, but it's not user-friendly.
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"The easiest best hard drive wipe software!"
Version: Darik's Boot and Nuke for CD and DVD 2.2.6 beta
Pros
Very easy to install on the boot CD or DVD. You are cautioned more than once that once started, you cannot undo the drive wipe. Yes, I agree, a kindergartener could do it!
I needed this in a rush, returning a dead laptop with a good, but old hard drive. Worked perfectly.Cons
None. It's free for gosh sakes!
Summary
I highly recommend this simple, great software.
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"Easy to use"
Version: Darik's Boot and Nuke for CD and DVD 2.2.6 beta
Pros
I used it yesterday, it's easy. Choose autonuke or hit enter and select the drives or partitions you want to wipe.
Cons
Took about 4 hours for the default which was 1 round with 3 passes to wipe a 160GB hard drive, and about 2 hours for an 80GB drive. The minimalist interface does not lend itself to explanations of all the options.
Summary
It takes as long as it takes. Try to arrange it so that after you start it you can go away and do something else while it works.
Please review: Darik's Boot and Nuke for CD and DVD 2.2.6 beta from CNET
Updated on Aug 28, 2012
It still does what it does, it hasn't changed, and I haven't changed my mind. Why are you asking me to update my review. -
"Was pretty easy"
Version: Darik's Boot and Nuke for CD and DVD 2.2.6 beta
Pros
Simple, just boot, and type "autonuke"
Ran quickly on a very large drive.Cons
None so far
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"was to confusing"
Version: Darik's Boot and Nuke for CD and DVD 2.2.6 beta
Pros
i am pretty good with computers and i couldnt get this to work.
Cons
to confusing and no good writing on getting it set up.
Summary
too difficult to get to work.
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"great program"
Version: Darik's Boot and Nuke for CD and DVD 2.2.6 beta
Pros
easy to use
simple boot and walk away
wiped the drive completely cleanCons
no cons as far as I can see
Summary
Had to wipe a laptop before giving it to charity. This program wiped the drive COMPLETELY. (note - it was a good think I had the original microsoft disks to re-install or the charity would have gotten a blank)
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