Gestetner DSm627sp - Wipe Hard Drive

[HughOD]

I have a client with this machine that they are donating. They want to wipe the internal hard drive(s). Is there a way to do this through the menus? All I can find on Ricoh is this (which does not seem to apply as there is no "menu" key): Erase all memory

Can anyone provide me a little assistance in how to do this?

Thanks,

Hugh

[LNorris]

sp 5832 i believe

[mikadonovan]

Sp mode 5832-1 (format HDD All)

[slimslob]

Sp mode 5832-1 (format HDD All)

All that this does is overwrite the directory structure. It does not erase data on the drive. Best thing is to mount the drive in an external USB drive caddie and use something like Norton Wipe drive. The other option, considering the age of the machine (Ricoh 1027), is just hand the customer the drive and let them do what they want.

[KenB]

If they want to be nice to the new owner of the machine and still not risk their data:

1. Have them buy a replacement HDD at local computer store or on line

2. Take the old drive out and hand it to them.

3. Put the new drive in and format (SP5832 - something).

4. Charge then a nominal fee for your services

Minimum expense, and everybody's happy.

[ruben]

If they are truely worried about data theft, then they should be destroying the drive. Even re-writing the drive multiple times with random data can leave magnetic traces.

I would recommend thermite.

[logrady2331]

I agree. Take the HDD out, put a new one in (off the shelf, 50.00 to 60.00 bucks) format the new one. Hand the old one to the customer and tell them to drill two or thee holes all the way through it. MAKE SURE you write on the service ticket that old HDD was surrendered to customer and have them sign it. That way you are protected down the road.

[copyaction]

these hard drives can be had on ebay for $10.
swap it out.

[Iowatech]

If they are truely worried about data theft, then they should be destroying the drive. Even re-writing the drive multiple times with random data can leave magnetic traces.

I would recommend thermite.

For those who are not comfortable with incendiaries, using a large hammer (like my three pound machinist sledge) to smash the drive entirely flat on a cement driveway will provide a similar outcome. High speed concrete fragments can be uncomfortable if they hit the surface of your eyes though, so safety glasses (U.S. Z87 rating at least) might be useful too.

[TonerMunkeh]

Personally, if we are going the whole hog, I vote for putting it between the crosshairs of a sniper rifle.