[BROOKLYN BOY]

I'm returning my computer and I'm trying to wipe the drive with DBAN (dariks boot and nuke) I burn the iso image and start the dban up only to find that I dont have the disk in dos format i believe it said. It wont let me run it. Im using Vista and ive burned it onto 2 brand new dvd-r disks so far? whats the problem?

[whitey]

Never used the software before. But what are you trying to accomplish? Are you trying to delete all you're stuff off the hard drive because you're returning it? If you can explain what you're trying to do then maybe I can find a different solution.

[betplom]

have you set the bios to boot from cd/dvd ?

boot and nuke should start automatically if you have set your bios this way.

once boot and nuke starts type "autonuke" and it will wipe the drive clean.

[BROOKLYN BOY]

Originally Posted by betplom

have you set the bios to boot from cd/dvd ?

boot and nuke should start automatically if you have set your bios this way.

once boot and nuke starts type "autonuke" and it will wipe the drive clean.

Ive been pressing f12 upon start up and selecting the dvd/cd drive....is that the issue? how do i set the bios up?

[whitey]

Originally Posted by BROOKLYN BOY

Ive been pressing f12 upon start up and selecting the dvd/cd drive....is that the issue? how do i set the bios up?

Getting to the BIOS is different depending on your motherboard. Usually its one of these.

F1
F2
DEL

Most of the time it will display the key to enter the BIOS on the loading screen.

[BROOKLYN BOY]

did the bios thing...didnt work....this is very frustrating.....who knows about this stuff?

[AgainstAllOdds]

You should just reinstall windows. Completely wipes it more or less.

[MonkeyF0cker]

If it is loading DOS, you may need the appropriate DOS drivers for your DVD drive...

[betplom]

I'm very familiar with Dariks boot and Nuke, I have been using it for years.

It is not DOS based, it is Linux based.

If it's not working there is either a problem with the CD you burned or a bios setting, I know I had to change some setting in the bios other than boot from cd to get mine working, if you have a newer motherboard you may have to set the hard drive as a "legacy device".

[MonkeyF0cker]

Ahh ok. Never used it. Is it imaging software (similar to Ghost)?

[betplom]

Originally Posted by MonkeyF0cker

Ahh ok. Never used it. Is it imaging software (similar to Ghost)?

No not imaging software.

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.

The development and support of the DBAN software project is funded in part by GEEP International. GEEP is the largest, the most efficient, and the most environmentally conscientious consumer electronics recycling company in North America.

It is 100% free, its open source software.


http://www.dban.org/

[MonkeyF0cker]

The Linux kernel can be tricky too though. Perhaps the proper modules aren't loading for his controller...

[betplom]

Originally Posted by MonkeyF0cker

The Linux kernel can be tricky too though. Perhaps the proper modules aren't loading for his controller...

I think he might have a S-ATA hard drive and DBAN by default assumes the drive is P-ATA, I changed a setting in the BIOS on my PC to make the hard drive appear as an older P-ATA drive when in fact it is a newer S-ATA drive.

If he posted the error message he gets it would help me figure out the problem.

He could also give up on the CD and use the USB flash drive option instead, he'll have to boot from external USB device at boot prompt.

[MonkeyF0cker]

Ahh. Yeah, that's likely the case.

[RogueJuror]

Wow plommer didn't know you were into this. Good to know, maybe we'll talk sometime.

[betplom]

Originally Posted by RogueJuror

Wow plommer didn't know you were into this. Good to know, maybe we'll talk sometime.

Rogie I've been building my own PC's since 1995, I'm the guy my friends call when they want their machine fixed or need recommendations on what to buy etc.

I was in the business from 1995-1998. I know my stuff.