| Darik's Boot and Nuke ("DBAN") is a self-contained boot floppy or boot CD that securely wipes the hard disks of most PCs. 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.
Obtaining and Installing DBAN
Download DBAN from the DBAN web site (http://dban.sourceforge.net/).
- To create a DBAN floppy, you must first extract the zip archive, then run the install program to create the DBAN floppy disk. You cannot create the DBAN floppy disk by copying files to a blank floppy disk.
- To create a DBAN CD, you must burn the ISO image you downloaded onto a blank CD. You cannot create the DBAN CD by copying the ISO file to a blank CD.
Please clearly label your DBAN boot media because it is dangerous.
Using DBAN
You must boot your computer using your DBAN boot floppy or boot CD.
Once the computer has been started with the DBAN disk, you will see a warning screen, with a “boot” prompt.
CAUTION!!! AFTER THIS POINT, THERE IS NO RECOVERY! BE ABSOLUTELY SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!!!!!!!
Type autonuke and then press the “Enter” key to start the erasure process. The number of passes and the data destruction method are pre-chosen; no changes or settings need be made.
Once you have confirmed the erasure by pressing the “Enter” key, the program will immediately begin to wipe data. Do not wait for this task to finish. It may be several hours before it completes; exactly how long depends upon the size and speed of the disk drive you are erasing.
Check back once in a while, after an hour or two has passed. If you are going to do this on any regular basis, you will soon get a “feel” for the program and be able to estimate fairly accurately how long it will take for any particular type of machine. The progress percentage indicator and pass number will give you a guide to the speed of any particular machine.
After the program finishes, you may simply turn the computer off. |