How to securely wipe HD for ebay

[mattwolfmatt]

Hi I just got a new computer and am selling my upgraded mac mini for parts, including the 320GB hard drive. It does have personal stuff (photos, videos, quicken, probably passwords or something). I want to sell it on ebay.

How do I format it so no one can get the info off of it? I'm a little paranoid about hackers and whatnot. What kind of weirdo would buy a used 320 laptop hard drive?

Thanks.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Do a 35 pass erase.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24002

and I've bought a 320gb drive to replace a failed one or to use for documents that don't take much space. Call me a weirdo if you must.

 

[mattwolfmatt]

Do a 35 pass erase.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24002

and I've bought a 320gb drive to replace a failed one or to use for documents that don't take much space. Call me a weirdo if you must.

Thanks for the help. Sorry it was so obvious. I searched the forums and didn't find anything. I think the 7 pass will be good enough. Jeesh, I don't have 5 days to wait!

 

[m85476585]

7 pass is good enough. The 35 pass erase is for different hard drive sector layouts (or something like that), and is not relevant for modern hard drives.

If you have a SSD, normal erasing utilities are not good enough since the SSD may have more memory than listed for wear-leveling. To erase a SSD, you should use the manufacturer's erasing utility, if available.

 

[mattwolfmatt]

7 pass is good enough. The 35 pass erase is for different hard drive sector layouts (or something like that), and is not relevant for modern hard drives.

If you have a SSD, normal erasing utilities are not good enough since the SSD may have more memory than listed for wear-leveling. To erase a SSD, you should use the manufacturer's erasing utility, if available.

I wish! If it was SSD I wouldn't be selling it! Besides I don't think they make them in 320GB. If they did it would be about $1500 I think.

 

[btbrossard]

What kind of weirdo would buy a used 320 laptop hard drive?

You could use this on it for added protection...

 

[pdxflint]

Why not just keep the 320gig drive, put it in an external case and use it for extra storage...or a cloned backup drive for emergencies. I can't imagine how much you'll get for it used these days. Anyway, just a thought.

 

[nelsonlowe]

7 pass is good enough. The 35 pass erase is for different hard drive sector layouts (or something like that), and is not relevant for modern hard drives.

If you have a SSD, normal erasing utilities are not good enough since the SSD may have more memory than listed for wear-leveling. To erase a SSD, you should use the manufacturer's erasing utility, if available.

Agree. 7 pass would be fine. Don't defrag the SSD either, it will make the life of the ssd exp less.

 

[mattwolfmatt]

Why not just keep the 320gig drive, put it in an external case and use it for extra storage...or a cloned backup drive for emergencies. I can't imagine how much you'll get for it used these days. Anyway, just a thought.

I already have four or five of those things laying around (500GB, 1TB, 750GB) at various places (home, office, mac mini media center). None of them are close to full.

Thanks for the help.