Customer Reviews

WipeDrive 3.0

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

It is true that your data or files are not completely deleted when you format your hard drive. You can actually retrieve some of the files or datas even in DOS-mode. But this WipeDrive 3.0 actually erases all the data in the hard drive. It is indeed impressive. Even so, because it meets the standard of Department of Defense (DoD).

BUT, if you are a casual computer user, just want to sanitize and clean your hard-drive more than just a FORMAT level, you do not need this program. You can get FREE utility via download. Try free Active@KILLDISK version 3.0 (www.killdisk.com). But if you absolutely have to destroy all the data because of its sensitive materials, you should get this program. Note that FREE versions do not meet the DoD standard, however, it does more than regular FORMAT.

In sum, WipeDrive 3.0 indeed does what it claims. BUT for casual users, FREE utility in the web is more than enough.

Before you ever sell or even throw out an old computer or hard drive, be sure to buy this program! Even after deleting everything or formatting your harddrive, sensitive and personal information can still be accessed. This program will ensure that your computer is cleaned completely so that your information is really gone. It even conforms to Department of Defense standards! And the great thing is, is that it doesn't matter what operating system your using, since it boots right from the CD.

I had no trouble operating the software, and it consistently appeared to perform the task of overwriting all portions of my hard drive. The problem, though, is that when the program cleans or verifies that the drive is clean, it displays only a percentage of the space on the hard drive, rather than the amount of space. Because I got the program for the purpose of permanently eliminating malware on my drive, I never knew if Wipedrive was able to clean that part of the drive. Wipedrive offers no means for examining the raw data on the drive or for determining the total space that it verifies is clean. Also, even with an average size 80 GB drive, each overwrite takes an extremely long time, as does the verification routine. You can clean only the entire hard disk and cannot limit it to one drive or partition. It would be helpful if you could selectively clean and/or scan only a portion of the drive, or scan from the end instead of from the beginning. In sum, the product seems well designed for a routine, single cleaning to eliminate personal data on an entire hard disk, but its lack of options left me wondering if it had done the job for me. A partition manager plus one of the free downloads (such as Eraser) could be a better choice in some situations.

I used to use PGP which integrated easily with the Windows Explorer's shell. However, I always had a pesky service running from it, so I started using Eraser 5.7, which is open source and it works great. Don't get too caught up with the DoD verbage. Many secure data removal apps have it. My new favorite disk wiping tool is DBAN, which can also be installed on a bootable USB flash drive. I never dispose my hard disks without wiping them with DBAN first. Why pay for this utility when you have great, free alternatives?

I wanted to donate my computer to a local school, but wanted to erase my personal information off of it first. Even before purchasing, the customer support staff patiently and quickly answered my questions. WipeDrive was easy to use with clear prompts, and did exactly what I wanted. I chose the single wipe option, so it only took about 40 minutes, but after reinstalling the operating system I checked and nothing was left. The product was cheaper than a few of the others I looked at and I was very impressed with the support and the clarity of the instructions they gave. I would definitely recommend this product.

AFTER PURCHASING WIPEDRIVE SIX TO ERASE MY POWER PC CHIP MAC G5, I NOTICED IT SPECIFIED FOR INTEL CHIP. I CONTACTED TECH SUPPORT AND WAS TOLD BY BEN CROUCH THAT IT WOULD WORK WITH POWERPC AND INTEL.SO I WENT AHEAD. IT DID NOT. LATER, BEN CROUCH CHANGED HIS STORY, SAYING THAT WIPEDRIVE SIX WOULD NOT WORK, AND THAT I NEEDED TO PURCHASE WIPEDRIVE FOR MAC.

WHY NOT SAY THAT IN THE FIRST PLACE?

VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE, TIME CONSUMING.

Most intermediate users will be fine with this Hard Disc and Storage cleaning utility. No it's not super easy and bug-proof - yes, it does take time to completely erase/clean media storage to DOD standards (12X overwriting!!!). However, if you have some really sensitive information on your computer that you want removed, this software will get it scrubbed clean - no worries. Warning: if you are a beginner user - take your computer to a shop and pay to let them do it. Also, if you use a really old and outmoded operating system (Windows 98?) you may want to try something else. I used it on an XP and a Vista computer and had no problem.

I used Wipedrive recently to clean out the hard drive of a computer I was selling. I chose the full wipe option and everything went well till I tried to reinstall the OS. I had the original reinstallation disc from Dell but I kept getting a blue screen of death; Windows could not find the hard drive and so could not install itself. I tried a number of options to get things to work, but no love. I even hooked up the hard drive to my new computer (which I built myself), but still couldn't find the drive in the drive manager. I finally checked the White Canyon website forums and discovered that the program actually disables drives entirely, locking them and in effect making them invisible to all computers. Using the info on the White Canyon's website I was able to unlock and disable the security system - after I spent 4 hours screwing with this.

If Wipedrive had specifically mentioned this "feature" in their packaging I would not be nearly as annoyed. There's NO reason to not tell purchasers up-front about this. They just wasted four hours of my life.

Can't say for sure if this program worked, because the old computer that I tried it on ceased functioning after I started the program. Well, it did destroy any information on the hard drive... but a hammer would've gotten the same end result.

I bought WipeDrive to completely remove data from a laptop that I intend to donate to a local charity. I didn't want anyone to be able to find personal and financial data that had been on the computer. I was able to download the program and when I had difficulties (the first attempt at creating a bootable disk failed), White Canyon responded to my inquiries in a timely manner with the suggestion that I just discard that disk and try again. However, after successfully making a disk and using WipeDrive, my computer cannot be re-booted. I have tried all remedies given on the White Canyon website knowledgebase and the repeated instructions from their techs. They eventually suggested that I contact Microsoft or Dell as they could not offer additional help. After much run around from all - I am paying a local computer company to fix the problem. I'm sorry I didn't just start there!!