Erasing Systems

As per the Rice University Information Security Policy, all devices capable of storing information must be cleaned (at least a three-pass overwrite) prior to disposal or transfer.

Information Technology provides several ways to erase systems, depending on the platform.

Windows / Linux Systems (Intel/AMD-based):

1. Download and run Darik's Boot and Nuke (dban).
2. Remove the drive from the system and deliver it to the Operations folks in Mudd - they will wipe the drive with Squeegee, a custom PC with SATA and PATA drive bays that exclusively runs dban.

Instructions on using dban are here (PDF).

Thanks to Levi Ball for providing the dban instructions.

Macintosh Systems (PPC-based):

1. NetBoot
   1. Take the computer that is to be sent to Classifieds to operations.
   2. Connect one of the consoles to it and plug in the ethernet cable.
   3. Startup the computer holding the "N" key down in order to netboot.
   4. When the computer has finished netbooting, you will see the default NetRestore netboot image.
   5. Under "Tools" select the Disk Utility option.
   6. When Disk Utility launches, select the hard drive of the computer and click on the erase tab.
   7. You will see a "Security Options" button. Click it and select the 7-pass secure erase option and click "OK".
   8. Then click the erase button to begin the secure erase feature.
2. Booting from CD Media or External Firewire/Usb Drives
   1. Media/OS must be OS X 10.4.x.
   2. Boot from external media.
   3. Launch Disk Utility.
   4. When Disk Utility launches, select the hard drive of the computer and click on the erase tab.
   5. You will see a "Security Options" button. Click it and select the 7-pass secure erase option and click "OK".
   6. Then click the erase button to begin the secure erase feature.

Thanks to Lance Ogletree for providing the Mac instructions.