How to create a DBAN disk to erase the contents of a hard disk

Last Updated: 03/09/10

DBAN (Darik's Boot & Nuke) is a utility to securely wipe a hard drive, by repeatedly over-writing the entire hard drive several times. It should be used prior to disposal of a PC hard disk or if a PC is to be recycled. The following steps show how to create a DBAN boot disk. This allows DBAN to securely wipe a hard drive on Windows. The following explains the initial process of creating a DBAN bootable disk. In general, booting to CD\DVD is a more satisfactory solution, even when a floppy drive is available.

Step 1

Download the DBAN zip file and save it to your desktop. Alternatively, you can get the latest version from the DBAN website at http://www.dban.org/. Choose whether you want to create a floppy disk,or CD\DVD\USB version.

Step 2

Unzip the dban - 1.0.6_i386.exe folder and extract all its contents.

Step 3

Double-click on the dban-1.0.6_i386.exe (it now has a little floppy icon).

Step 4

Follow the onscreen instructions. You will need to insert a blank floppy into your floppy drive at this point. If it prompts you to reformat the floppy first, please do so.

Step 5

To format (Erase) using a USB flash drive, download this version . Warning : The install process wipes any USB on which DBAN is installed.

Step 6

To format the hard disk using CD and DVD media, we create a DBAN boot disk. Download Darik's Boot and Nuke ISO image file for use with CD and DVD media. Click OK.

Step 7 Insert a blank CD into the CD drive and double click the ISO file to burn the DBAN boot media to the disk.DBAN has been burned incorrectly if you see just one file on the drive when you open the CD-R or DVD-R in My Computer or Windows Explorer.

How to create a DBAN disk to erase the contents of a hard disk

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