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Technical Help & Discussion => Windows PCs & Software: Help, News & Discussion => Topic started by: DJ on September 22, 2007, 13:21

Title: Acronis Drive Cleaner
Post by: DJ on September 22, 2007, 13:21

Hi All,

Can any one recommened a freeware alternative to Acronis Drive Cleaner.

I require software that will delete files from an old drive.

Cheers, DJ.

Title: Re: Acronis Drive Cleaner
Post by: Sandra on September 22, 2007, 13:55

Discwizard has a zero fill option that will write a zero to each part of the drive thereby deleting the data instead of just formatting the drive, which leaves data intact but just removes its record.

http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&name=DiscWizard&vgnextoid=d9fd4a3cdde5c010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD

Its a free tool and works on any make of drive.

I have just read the info and it doesnt seem to have the same option for zero fill as the older version did which was small enough to run from a floppy disc :(

Title: Re: Acronis Drive Cleaner
Post by: DJ on September 22, 2007, 14:36

Ok thanks Sandra - will have a look.

Think the normal Format drive will be ok for me, just want to clear out an old drive then I will be reusing it - so no real security issues.

Thanks, DJ.

Title: Re: Acronis Drive Cleaner
Post by: Sandra on September 22, 2007, 14:39

OK but if you need to zero fill it, if the seagate one no longer includes the option, then this one does it :

http://www.killdisk.com/

Has free and pay for versions that boot from either floppy or CD, the free one should be ok for most people  :)

Title: Re: Acronis Drive Cleaner
Post by: Reno on September 23, 2007, 21:09

I have an easy to use zerofill that works off a bootable cd. I think it is either a seagate or maxtor bootdisk. I use to use it for those hard to remove recovery partitions some manufactures install. I know i have a few others sitting around, but I'm sorry to say I haven't a clue where they could be. Normally its easier to just stuff it into my enclosure and format it using windows.