Miray Software AG HDShredder 3.
Table of Contents 1 Introduction.........................................................................................................................................................6 1.1 Chapter overview 6 1.2 Character conventions 6 1.3 Features 7 1.4 Edition overview 7 2 Fields of application..........................................................................................................................................9 2.1 Deletion of data 9 2.2 Disposal of computers 9 2.
Table of Contents 4.1.2 Software package 4.2 Installation with Windows 4.2.1 Installation interface 4.2.2 CD/DVD writer not selectable 4.3 Installation with other operating systems 4.3.1 Creating a bootable floppy disk 4.3.2 Creating a bootable CD/DVD 18 18 19 19 19 19 20 5 Program instructions......................................................................................................................................21 5.1 Preliminary steps 21 5.2 Starting the program 21 5.2.
Table of Contents 5.10.7 Interrupting the running process 5.11 Termination of the deletion process 5.11.1 User abort 5.11.2 Regular termination 5.11.3 Final report 5.11.4 Deletion report 5.12 Ending the program 5.12.1 End dialog 5.12.2 Good-bye screen 33 33 33 33 33 34 36 36 36 6 Operating principles.......................................................................................................................................37 6.1 Deletion area 37 6.1.1 Preliminary remark 37 6.1.
Table of Contents 7.4.3 Problems with DMA 7.4.4 BIOS settings 7.5 SCSI 7.5.1 Restart 7.5.2 Deactivate unused controllers 7.5.3 Deactivate unused drives 7.5.4 Minimum configuration of the controller 7.5.5 Minimum configuration of the systems 7.6 USB 7.6.1 Storage device not recognized 7.6.2 Other device problems 7.6.3 Controller not found 7.6.4 Speed loss 7.6.5 Other controller problems 46 47 48 48 48 48 48 49 49 49 49 50 50 50 8 Miscellaneous................................................................
1 Introduction Thank you very much for choosing HDShredder. We are always striving for offering you a software product, which meets your requirements as well as our own high ambitions. In case of having suggestions for improvement or not being satisfied with the software in certain aspects, we therefore kindly ask you to communicate the regarding criticism and suggestions to us at feedback@miray.de. 1.
1.3 Features 1.3 Features HDShredder allows you to delete entire hard disks or other storage media as well as individual partitions easily but securely and irrevocably, according to international standards, if desired. The data once deleted cannot be recovered with data recovery software either. HDShredder deletes hard disks regardless of the respective partition scheme, the file system used, and the installed operating system(s).
1.4 Edition overview Supported standards VSITR BSI-GSB ACSI 33 AFSSI 5020 AR380-19 DoD5200.28M DoD5220.
2 Fields of application HDShredder is specialized on deleting entire hard disks and other media or individual partitions easily and fast but also securely, i.e. finally. The data storage media remain fully usable after the deletion. The deletion is irreversible on the physical level. HDShredder thus provides spe cial advantages when deleting damaged media (2.9 Damaged storage media). Furthermore, HDShredder works independently of partition scheme, data system, and operating system, if needed.
2.3 Sale of computers to delete the entire drive (6.1.3 Deleting an entire drive) or a single partition (6.1.4 Deleting a single partition) fast and securely. 2.4 Passing on of computers Also in case computers or data storage media are passed on within a company or an organization, it is desirable that no sensitive data are available on them any more. In contrast to mech anical or physical deletion procedure, HDShredder offers the advantage to further use the deleted media after the deletion. 2.
2.9 Damaged storage media Note: HDShredder also runs on media with defective sectors. In this case, it simply overwrites all sectors which can still be written. The other defective sectors cannot be read any more anyway. 2.10 Arbitrary computer systems HDShredder cannot only be used on PC systems. Many special systems, e.g. in industry and medicine, are principally PC compatible as well. In this case, HDShredder can be directly used on the concerned system.
3 Supported hardware This section contains detailed information about the hardware and hardware standards supported by HDShredder. Furthermore, there are special references to be found regarding the usage of certain device types. 3.1 Overview Subsequent, you find a listing of the hardware requirements concerning the hardware used to run HDShredder as well as additionally supported devices. Please note that support for a certain hardware may depend on the edition used (1.4 Edition overview). 3.1.
3.2 Compatibility 3.2 Compatibility HDShredder has been developed for the hardware listed in 3.1 Overview and has been tested on a multiplicity of according devices. HDShredder also works well with many other devices. You may use the Free Edition of HDShredder to easily check out in advance and for free whether the device in question is supported (3.2.1 Compatibility test). 3.2.
3.3 IDE/ATA/SATA IDE controllers, the first two channels are scanned for connected drives. HDShredder recognizes available PCI IDE controllers automatically and scans them for connected drives. Note: If there are one or more PCI IDE controllers available in the system, ISA controllers that are possibly present, too, will not be taken into account.
3.3 IDE/ATA/SATA disk, the reason may be that the IDE controller only supports lower modes. Furthermore, the achievable values also depend on the physical abilities of the hard disk, i.e. a hard disk with UDMA-6 (theoretically 133 MB/sec) currently achieves an actual transfer rate of about 60 MB/sec. 3.3.4 Bus master IDE controllers Precondition for using DMA mode is that the attached PCI IDE controller also supports the Bus master IDE standard.
3.4 SCSI 3.4.2 Compatibility In principle, HDShredder supports all SCSI hard disk drives. Precondition is that they are con nected to a SCSI controller supported by HDShredder. Currently, HDShredder supports the popular Narrow-, Wide-, Ultra- and Ultra-Wide-SCSI controllers from Adaptec. Tip: Whether your SCSI controller is supported can be determined easily with the Free Edition of HDShredder (3.2.1 Compatibility test). Connect at least one SCSI drive to the SCSI bus and start HDShredder.
3.4 SCSI The IDs of your respective controllers can be determined by means of the program PCISniffer. At http://www.miray.de/download/sat.pcisniffer.html you can download it for free from the Miray homepage. For the regarding PCI SCSI controller, the values displayed by PCISniffer for the fields Vendor ID and Device ID have to match the values specified above for your SCSI controller. 3.
4 Installation 4.1 Introduction HDShredder does not need an installation in the usual sense. HDShredder can be started directly as a Windows application. Otherwise it can be started without presence of an installed operating system as a self-booting application from CD or floppy disk. In case you do not already have HDShredder available on a bootable medium (4.1.1 Bootable medium), it is necessary to create a bootable HDShredder medium before using the self-booting HDShredder for the first time (4.1.
4.2 Installation with Windows 4.2.1 Installation interface When starting the installation program the main window appears (fig. 1). • If you want to create a bootable floppy disk, choose the desired drive at ‘Floppy drive’ and click on [Create floppy]. • To create a bootable CD/DVD, choose the desired drive at ‘CD/DVD writer’ and click on [Create CD/DVD]. • To create a bootable USB key, choose the desired drive at ‘USB medium’ and click on [Make bootable].
4.3 Installation with other operating systems After having created a bootable floppy disk, you can start HDShredder on any PC as described in chapter 5.2 Starting the program. 4.3.2 Creating a bootable CD/DVD The HDShredder software package contains a so called ISO image in the file hdshredder.iso. It can be used to create a bootable HDShredder CD with any operating system using a CD writ ing software of your choice as far as it supports creating CDs from an ISO image.
5 Program instructions The following chapters give a detailed description on how to operate HDShredder, from the start to the end. Note: According to the edition you use, there can be deviations between the features described or illustrated herein and the features supported by your edition. Please see chapter 1.4 Edition overview for more information on which features your edition supports. 5.
5.3 Program screen Status field Quit Operating field Title of dialog page Help Selection graphic fig. 2: Program screen 5.3.1 Status field The upper field is the status field (fig. 2). It shows the parameters selected for the deletion process (Deletion area, Drive, Deletion method and Options). Here you see at any point of the program which parameters you have already selected. Furthermore, the right side of the status field also shows license information. 5.3.
5.4 Operation List box Info box Check box Button (normal) fig. 3: Graphical control elements (1) Dialog window Button (focused) Close dialog Percentage Progress bar Button (inactive) fig. 4: Graphical control elements (2) 5.4.2 Operation with keyboard and mouse HDShredder is operated by keyboard and mouse. It is also possible to operate the program exclusively by keyboard or exclusively by mouse. 5.4.2.
5.4 Operation Key Control element Function (all) Switch to the next element Arrow keys List field Select list element (///) Selection graphic Highlight element Button Press button Selection graphic Select highlighted element Link Show link target Button Press button (in dialog windows only) Link Show link target Window Close window (only windows with ✘ in the title bar) (operating field) Quit HDShredder 5.4.2.
5.6 Selecting the deletion area Entire drive Deletes all data on the selected drive. (6.1.3 Deleting an entire drive). Single partition Deletes only the data on the selected partition. (6.1.4 Deleting a single partition). After having selected the deletion area, move to the next step by pressing [Next] in the lower right corner of the operating field (5.7 Selecting the medium). Already when selecting the deletion area, HDShredder starts the recognition of connected devices and drives.
5.7 Selecting the medium 5.7.2 Selecting a partition When selecting a partition (fig. 7), the recognized drives and the partitions found on them are shown in the selection list. The partitions belonging to a certain drive are listed below it in an indented form. The drives themselves cannot be selected. The frame with the details on the right side of the selection list shows details concerning the drive on which the currently selected partition is located. Select the desired partition.
5.7 Selecting the medium Field Description Manufacturer Name of the manufacturer (according to the internal drive data) Firmware Version of the firmware (according to the internal drive data) Supported Drive type supported by the edition used Note: Supported will show yes if the edition you use supports the selected drive. Otherwise HDShredder indicates here from which edition on that drive is supported. 5.7.5 Sector viewer Under the Details window, there is a small symbol with a magnifier.
5.7 Selecting the medium Note: The MultiDelete option can be activated in all editions of HDShredder, even in the Free Edition. This can be used to check in advance which speed can be achieved on a certain system by using the Enterprise Edition. Please keep in mind that the achievable speed in this case strongly depends on the interfaces used (most suitable: IDE, SATA, and SCSI) and the drive combinations (only use master drives with IDE). 5.
5.8 Selecting the deletion method 5.8.3.1 Deletion pattern You can disable or enable the parameters individually (fig. 8), if necessary, using the selection box at the respectively left side of the parameter. Depending on their activation, they will be taken into account within the deletion process. As default, only the upper parameter Deletion pattern is enabled. You define a deletion pattern as follows: • Deletion pattern: Here, you set the pattern to be used for overwriting the sectors.
5.9 Selecting the options 5.9.1 Locked options The options have different possibilities of availability and selectability. Locked options cannot be modified, but the displayed setting is valid. fig. 9 shows the different possibilities. active & locked inactive & locked active inactive fig. 9: Selecting the options 5.9.2 General options In the column General, you find options, which relate to the operating method of HDShredder and the deletion process in general.
5.9 Selecting the options Option Meaning IRQ In IRQ mode, the medium will be optimally synchronized. This ensures maximum deletion performance. DMA For highest deletion performance and shortest deletion time. Read cache Use fast read buffer. Write cache Use fast write buffer. Multi-sector PIO Increases speed by about 10% compared to the standard mode when DMA is deactivated (see above). Recovery via PIO Optimal handling of defective sectors.
5.10 Deleting data change marginally or do not change at all for a time (e.g. in case of read or write errors), the deletion animation shows that HDShredder is still running. 5.10.3 Status indication On the left and right side of the operating field, you see the fields of the status indication. They contain information on the current status of the deletion process. Status Meaning Sectors processed Absolute number of sectors already copied. Run Number of deletion runs started at this point.
5.10 Deleting data same number of troubleshooting runs can follow with the option SmartDefectSkip (5.9.2 General options). However, the time required cannot be concluded therefrom. The option SmartDefectSkip, for instance, particularly serves to reduce the time required even though more runs are necessary. Therefore, the value indicated as Time remaining is always crucial for the time required.
5.11 Termination of the deletion process fig. 13: Final report after a fig. 14: Final report after the successful deletion run abort of the deletion run • The medium has been deleted completely: in case the deletion process has been finished without an abort (even if sector errors occurred). • The deletion process has been aborted: in case the deletion process has been aborted be- fore its regular termination.
5.11 Termination of the deletion process wards the client, for instance. The report dialog (fig. 15) offers three possibilities to output the report, which are described below. 5.11.4.1 Storing to file To store the report on an external medium, select Save to file. You can use an internal or external floppy disk drive or a USB key. If possible, do not use the program floppy disk in order not to stress it unnecessarily. In case of a floppy disk, remove any write protection.
5.11 Termination of the deletion process Click on [Create] to transmit the deletion report to the destination device via the serial interface. If you click [Abort], you can terminate without outputting a deletion report. 5.11.4.3 Output to a printer To output the deletion report to a printer, select Printer output. You can choose between the output to a parallel connected printer (option parallel) or to a USB connected printer (option USB). Click on [Create] to print out the deletion report.
6 Operating principles This paragraph gives you detailed descriptions of the operating principles of the different deletion methods and modes and of the operation of HDShredder in case of defective media. 6.1 Deletion area HDShredder can handle both, entire drives and individual partitions. It can also delete sector-exact subareas (6.3 Deleting a sector area). The meaning, effect, and areas of application of different deletion areas are described in the following subchapters.
6.1 Deletion area 6.1.3 Deleting an entire drive This deletion mode physically deletes an entire drive. Each sector of the drive is overwritten once at least or even several times with a certain deletion pattern, both according to the deletion method selected (see 6.5 Deletion methods). After the successful completion of the deletion fig. 19: Deleting an entire drive process, all data and files previously stored on the drive are ultimately deleted, as well their names as their contents.
6.1 Deletion area Important: The sectors specified for the sector area always refer to the initially selected deletion area (6.1 Deletion area) and are indicated in relation to it. Example: If you have selected a partition as deletion area and specified the sector area from 0 to 9, the first 10 sectors of the partition will be deleted, even if these sectors have another absolute number on the medium. 6.
6.2 Automatic troubleshooting rors, which occur during the verification run, are also counted as verification errors. Therefore, the number of verification errors gives you absolute information on the amount of sectors where secure deletion could not be confirmed. In case of an error-free deletioning process, HDShredder should not report any verification errors and signalize a 100% conformity with the deletion patterns written. 6.
6.4 Mass deletion (MultiDelete mode) 6.4.1 Mode of operation With HDShredder, performing a mass deletion works exactly the same (simple) way as deleting a single medium. The only difference is that instead of only one, multiple media can be selected. This becomes possible as soon as the option MultiDelete is being selected in the medium selection dialog (5.7 Selecting the medium). Then it is possible to select multiple media from the list.
6.5 Deletion methods 6.5.1.3 High security – 7 runs This deletion method provides internationally approved security against recovering deleted data – even in a special data recovery laboratory. That is why its 7 runs require a certain peri od of time to perform the deletion. 6.5.2 Standards This category allows you to perform the deletion according to one of the international standards.
6.5 Deletion methods Origin: Passes: National Computer Security Center – Technical Guideline 3 6.5.2.9 HMG IS5 (Baseline) Country: Great Britain Origin: British Government Passes: 2 6.5.2.10 Country: Origin: Passes: HMG IS5 (Enhanced) Great Britain British Government 4 6.5.2.11 Country: Origin: Passes: GOST P50739-95 Russia Federal Agency on Technical Regulating and Metrology 2 6.5.2.12 Country: Origin: Passes: RCMP TSSIT OPS-II Canada Royal Canadia Mounted Police 7 6.5.2.
7 Troubleshooting This paragraph describes possible problems when using HDShredder and offers proposals for solution. If there should be no proposal for solution for a problem, you can gladly contact our Support (8.5 Support). 7.1 Load errors During the start of the program, before HDShredder is loaded itself, a message and a progress bar will appear on the boot screen. In case of an error, one of the following error codes will be indicated here. 7.1.
7.2 Keyboard and mouse Note: In some of the cases, problems with the PS/2 keyboard and/or mouse occurred with an activated emulation for PS/2 devices. If you do not use any USB input de-vices, please switch off the PS/2 emulation in the BIOS setup. 7.3 General problems 7.3.1 Slowed down system If you think the speed of the total system or the deletion speed – also with IDE and SCSI devices – is too slow, a USB controller can be the cause, even if it is not used (7.6.4 Speed loss). 7.3.
7.4 IDE/ATA/SATA • The IDE controller/channel is deactivated, e.g. on an onboard IDE controller. Activate the IDE controller/channel via the BIOS setup. • Standard IDE controllers (ISA) are not taken into account if PCI IDE controllers are available. Connect the respective hard disk to a PCI IDE controller in this case or deactivate the PCI IDE controller or controllers. • The used controller does not correspond to the PCI IDE standard.
7.4 IDE/ATA/SATA • On the other hand, you can also try to activate UltraDMA or to switch to a higher UltraDMA mode if the corresponding default settings in your BIOS setup are too low. Note: Our tests showed that some chipsets and hard disks do not collaborate optimally. This can lead to the fact that the UltraDMA mode (putatively correctly) recognized and set in the BIOS is too high. 7.4.
7.5 SCSI 7.5 SCSI When using SCSI devices, please make sure that they are correctly configured and connected to the SCSI controller. In particular SCSI controllers with SCSI BIOS must show a drive during the system start, so that HDShredder can then address this drive. Furthermore, HDShredder must support the controller you use. You find a list of the supported SCSI controllers in chapter 3.4.2 Compatibility.
7.5 SCSI 7.5.5 Minimum configuration of the systems Try to connect the SCSI drives used in the system in a different way, especially if you use sev eral SCSI controllers. Proceed as follows, if possible: deactivate all SCSI controllers except one. This controller should have one SCSI channel only, if possible, and should be part of the controllers listed in 3.4.3 Manufacturer information. Then connect the needed drive or drives exclusively.
7.6 USB ally the option Cooling break (5.9.2 General options) for the concerned device. The deletion process then takes a bit longer, but in most of the cases the data transfer functions better. Note: The described problems are mostly due to deficient hardware and also occur under other operating systems. We recommend you to have the concerned device replaced. 7.6.3 Controller not found HDShredder should recognize all current USB controllers which offer one of the USB standard interfaces (3.5.
8 Miscellaneous 8.1 Terms of license HDShredder is designed to offer you the highest possible technical flexibility. The HDShredder license conditions are also designed not to limit your flexibility when using HDShredder. Since you usually don not know at the beginning on how many computers and how often you will use the software, we offer you a very simple and cost-effective license model, which restricts you the least possible. 8.1.
8.1 Terms of license • A company with 50 PC work stations needs two licenses of the Professional Edition, whereof each covers 25 PC work stations. • A company with 100 PC work stations needs four licenses of the Professional Edition, where- of each covers 25 PCs. • A service provider with two PCs that serve as HDShredder deletion stations needs two li- censes of the Professional Edition, one for each deletion station.
8.2 Certificate of authenticity floppy disk, the displayed number has to correspond to the number of the security hologram on the floppy disk and not to the number of the security hologram on the CD. 8.
