"HDDerase.exe is a DOS-based utility that securely erases "sanitizes" all data on ATA hard disk drives in Intel architecture computers (PCs). It offers the option to run the drive internal secure erase command, security erase unit, based on the ATA specification by the T13 technical committee. To run the utility, make a floppy or recordable CD-ROM DOS bootable disk; then copy HDDerase.exe to the floppy or CD-R. Reboot the computer with the floppy or CD-R inserted, and type "hdderase" at the system DOS prompt. Make sure to set the correct priority boot order in the system BIOS, such as first boot floppy or CD-ROM depending on which media is used to run HDDerase.exe. HDDerase.exe must be run from an actual DOS environment and not a Window based DOS command prompt environment." ...

"Q: Is there government approval for secure erase, that meets current federal and state lows, like Sarbanes-Oxley, the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), and California Senate Bill 1386?

A: According to federal data sanitization document NIST 800-88, acceptable methods include executing the in-drive Secure Erase command, degaussing a drive, and physical destruction."

http://cmrr.ucsd.edu/Hughes/subpgset.htm

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