Barracuda XT, Barracuda, Barracuda Green, DiamondMax and other desktop SATA and IDE drives

[jsmartin22]

Hello,

Over the years, I've had drives that have either gone bad or were thought to have gone bad.     All of them still spin up and al still have personal information on them.   I probably have 10 of these drives and  These are no longer in the computer.    Moreover, my computers aren't easily accessible.    If I had one drive, I could open a computer, install it and wipe the drive.  But with multiple drives involved, I am reluctang to devote a computer to this for an extended time, while I wipe the drives at my convenience.     Is there a practical method to wipe the drives of info via an external SATA connector?   I am even considering building a simple computer to do this as it will take a few days to wipe 10 drives, but it seems like there should be a simpler solution.  

Thanks!

Scott

[everrest]

Darik's boot and Nuke.

Full erase is available in Seatools.

Both would require little hardware.

I would recommend getting a USB to IDE/ SATA adaptor just to have.  For Serial ATA drive I like the Thermaltake dock. 

[mooner]

http://www.wiebetech.com/products/Drive_eRazer.php

Standalone SATA/PATA secure erase tool -- don't need a computer to make it run.

$100-170 depending on what options you need...

[everrest]

Wiebetech also has Drive storage boxes for storing your spare / backup drives in. I highly recommend them over storage in an antistatic bag in a shoebox.  I recently bought a case of 10 (looks like I need a second case).

[HughR]

There is some information in this thread: http://forums.seagate.com/stx/board/message?board.id=ata_drives&thread.id=13206

[jsmartin22]

These are all great suggestions, thanks!  Had no idea USB to SATA adaptors existed, but this is what I needed.  I looked at newegg and bought this one since it had good reviews.

http://www.xionusa.com/Product-HDD-Dock.asp

Thx again!