This guide contains the basics on how to wipe a hard drive externally using a toaster as well as using Windows software and Multiboot.
See also
External Hard Drive (Toaster Method)
- Obtain a “toaster” and the hard drive to be wiped. Setup the toaster and hard drive
- Open up windows explorer → This PC. Two new drives should show up by the computer’s internal hard drive
- Right click "Local Disk" (F:) → Format → Keep all options the same. Do the same for "System Reserved" (E:)
Wiping the Hard Drive using Windows Disk Management
Windows 7
Step 1: Access Disk management by typing partition into the start menu, or by opening the control panel and selecting create and format disk partitions under administrative tools
Step 2: Select Disk partitions to be formatted or deleted. Right click on selected partition and select delete volume. Repeat for all partitions:
Step 3: Done
Windows 10
Step 1: Access Disk Management by going to the control panel -> administrative tools -> Disk Management. Make sure to run the program as an administrator.
Step 2: select disk partitions to be formatted or deleted. Right click on selected partition and select delete volume. Repeat for all partitions.
Step 3: Done
Using the Multiboot USB tool
Step 1: Boot the computer using the USB by hitting f12 immediately after start up and selecting USB device.
Step 2: once Main Menu appears, select system tools -> Ultimate Boot CD -> HDD-> Disk wiping -> HDShredder V4.0.1
Step 3: press Y to begin the wiping program, Continue to press yes when prompted. Program will wipe the disk clean. May take a while depending on the amount of files on the disk.
Step 4: Done
Alternative to the Ultimate Boot CD method:
Step 1: Boot the computer using the Multiboot USB by hitting F12 on startup and selecting the USB drive.
Step 2: Once in the Main Menu, Select system tools -> Parted Magic. (Note: In case of need Parted Magic is also available through Hiren's Boot CD as Linux based rescue environment).
Step 3: Once parted magic boots up, open Disk Eraser.
Step 4: Use the shred or dd methods for a quick wipe or nwipe for a more secure wipe (similar to DBAN but takes MUCH longer).
Step 5: Choose the hard drive to be wiped (The USB can be disconnected once at this stage so as to not accidentally wipe it).
Step 6: Done.