General, Guides, Tech-Info

How to Wipe a Laptop with DBAN | Secure Data Erasure Guide

Posted on by Chris Harvey
How to Wipe a Laptop with DBAN
07
Aug

🧨 How to Securely Wipe an Old Laptop Using DBAN (Darik’s Boot and Nuke)

If you’re planning to sell, recycle, or donate an old laptop, simply deleting files or even formatting the drive isn’t enough. Sensitive data can often be recovered unless it’s securely wiped.

One of the most trusted free tools for this job is DBAN — short for Darik’s Boot and Nuke.

Let’s walk through how to use it to permanently erase your laptop’s hard drive.

💡 Why Use DBAN?

  • ✅ Securely overwrites the entire drive

  • ✅ Prevents file recovery with forensic tools

  • ✅ Free and easy to use (even for non-techies)

  • ✅ Works great for old laptops and desktops

🛠️ What You’ll Need

  • A USB stick (at least 1GB)

  • Download DBAN (ISO)

  • A free tool like Rufus to create a bootable USB

  • A system with BIOS-level access (UEFI may not support DBAN without Legacy Mode)

🧾 Step-by-Step: Wipe a Laptop with DBAN

1. Create a Bootable DBAN USB

  1. Download the DBAN ISO from dban.org

  2. Use Rufus or another USB tool:

    • Select your USB drive

    • Choose the DBAN ISO

    • Click Start to make it bootable

2. Boot from the USB

  1. Insert the DBAN USB into the laptop

  2. Turn on the laptop and enter the boot menu (usually F12, ESC, or F9)

  3. Select the USB drive to boot from

3. Start the Data Wipe

  1. Once DBAN loads, you’ll see a blue screen with options

  2. Type autonuke and hit Enter — this will begin a secure multi-pass wipe of the entire hard drive

Warning: This process is irreversible — double-check that you’re wiping the correct device.

4. Wait for It to Finish

Depending on the drive size and speed, this may take 1–3 hours. Once done, the drive will be completely blank.

🔐 Optional: Reinstall an OS Afterwards

If you plan to reuse or sell the laptop:

  • You can now install a fresh OS (like Windows, ChromeOS Flex, or Linux)

  • Or sell it as-is with a wiped drive (just note that it has no OS installed)

📦 At NZ Laptop Wholesale…

We use professional-grade wiping software across all ex-lease machines — but for personal wipes, DBAN is a great free tool that’s stood the test of time.

Need help wiping or repurposing an old laptop?
Get in touch with us.

Chris Harvey