Frequently Asked Questions
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Top FAQs
How can I purchase a Digital Shredder (DS)?
Contact us via email at sales@deadondemand.com or call:United States (Toll-Free): 877.338.6246
Outside the United States: 603.766.3830
What are the Dimensions of the DS?
The DS is 13" long by 12" high by 8.5" wide.How do I attach a hard drive?
The DS was designed to be easy to use which means no ribbon cables or power cords. Our proprietary 'Personality Block' design allows quick connection of the drive to the DS. Simply select the appropriate block (depending on drive format and size) and slide the drive into place. Then insert the Personality Block into the bay and lock it into place.What is Secure Erase and how does it differ from standard overwriting?
Secure Erase utilizes code that is embedded in the hard drive. The atomic process sanitizes data on all drive sectors. It is 18 times faster than less effective commercially available overwrite routines that are incapable of reaching all sectors of the hard drive. To learn more about Secure Erase and how it compares to other data destruction methods, please visit our Whitepaper Library.Product Overview
What are the dimensions of the DS?
The DS is 13" long by 12" high by 8.5" wide.How much does the DS weigh?
The DS weighs approximately 15 pounds without drives inserted.How do I attach a hard drive?
The DS was designed to be easy to use which means no ribbon cables or power cords. Our proprietary 'Personality Block' design allows quick connection of the drive to the DS. Simply select the appropriate block (depending on drive format and size) and slide the drive into place. Then insert the Personality Block into the bay and lock it into place.Will the DS void the warranty on failed drives to be returned to the manufacturer?
No. Drives that are still under warranty, and are failing can be secure erased and sent back to the manufacturer without voiding the factory warranty. No function of the DS will void hard drive manufacturer's warranties.Does the drive have to work to be erased?
No. As long as the rotor and actuator, as well as certain components of the logic are functional, the DS will be able to conduct an effective purge of the device, even if the controller is failed and the drive is no longer recognized by a workstation or network. This is due to the fact that the DS takes low level control of the device, and does not use most stages of the hard drives embedded controller.How portable is the DS?
The DS was designed from the ground up for work in the field. Its small foot print and lightweight design make it easy to move, and with the optional hard case, you can easily package the DS and its components. The DS is completely integrated. Its touch screen interface means no external keyboard or mouse is needed. This design allows for quick setup in the field. The DS is perfect for mobile technical support personnel, or for companies that have multiple locations, or no central IT facility.Is the DS safe to ship?
Yes, the best way is to purchase the hard travel case accessory. This case has been designed to protect the DS for shipping. When packaged correctly the DS is too large to carry on an airplane. The DS can be shipped using the same precautions that you would use to ship any piece of electronics.What is the operating system of the DS?
Linux, though the OS and the application files are not modifiable by the user.Secure Erase
What is Secure Erase and how does it differ from standard overwriting?
Secure Erase utilizes code that is embedded in the hard drive. The atomic process sanitizes data on all drive sectors. It is 18 times faster than less effective commercially available overwrite routines that are incapable of reaching all sectors of the hard drive. To learn more about Secure Erase and how it compares to other data destruction methods, please visit our Whitepaper Library.Can all drives be Secure Erased?
Nearly all SATA, IDE, and ATA hard drives manufactured after 2001 (and many devices manufactured since 1999) are compatible with Secure Erase.How long does it take to Secure Erase a drive?
Most drives will complete in under an hour, however, extremely large drives such as 300GB drives will take longer. Secure Erase is much faster than standard triple overwrite algorithms that can take many hours or even days to complete. As a general rule, Secure Erase is usually 8 times faster than triple overwriting.How can Secure Erase be as efficient at eradicating data as triple overwriting if it is eight times as fast?
Based on testing conducted by the Center for Magnetic Recording Research, Secure Erase is more effective than commercially available software overwrite routines.What is the minimum and maximum storage size that can be effectively secure erased?
There is no physical limit to the compatible volume size.Secure erase will remove OS. Will a drive reformat be required before reinstallation of the OS?
Secure Erase is a single pass purge process that eliminates data on all user accessible areas of the storage device. Not only will there be no Operating system on the hard drive, there will be nothing but blank space in all sectors. The only exception are the device control sectors that are not user accessible.Operation Menu
How many drives can be processed at the same time?
Three drives can be processed simultaneously. The drive bays are ‘hot-swappable’ so drives can be removed or added while other drives are still in process.Are erased drives reusable?
Yes, the DS leaves your drives ready for redeployment. By using the Default Ops screen, you are able to select various procedures to put the drive through following erasure. The default procedure for an inserted drive is determined by the Administrator. However, you can vary from the default settings on a any individual drive. Additional operations following erasure include: creating a partition, reformatting the drive, imaging the drive and printing a certification label.
How does imaging work?
Many IT departments deploy new PCs by copying over an image of a 'corporate master' drive to the new PC. The DS can do this for you. Simply place the disk to be erased in Drive A or B, and the image drive in Bay C. Using the scripting tool, the DS will perform a binary copy from Bay C to the target bay. The only restriction is that the target drive must be as large as the image drive.What format file systems does the DS support?
The DS currently supports FAT, FAT16, FAT32 NTFS, EXT1 and EXT2.What do the LED indicators above each drive bay indicate?
OFF: Vacant bay, available for use
GREEN: Drive is loaded and ready, but no operation is taking place
GREEN (Blinking): Process is complete and the drive can be ejected
RED: Process is being executed, bay mechanically locked and password protected
ORANGE: Reformatting/Re-imaging
Can the DS software be updated?
Yes, DS owners can download new versions of the DS software from EDT's Software Update page. Download software updates and save to any USB connected storage device. Connect this device to the USB port provided on the back of the DS, and then select the UPDATE option from the application menu.How much do software updates cost?
Software updates are free of charge for the model of Digital Shredder that was purchased.Are usernames supported on the DS?
Yes, to prevent malicious use of the DS, and to capture auditing information, every user is required to login. Users are of two classes, standard and administrator. Only administrators can create other users or set defaults for the operation of the DS.Can DS units be linked together?
Not at this time. However, our engineering department will work with you to meet any custom needs you may have.
Can the erasure process be aborted?
No. Once the confirmation is given to begin the process, the DS physically locks the bay so that no interruption is possible. This is part of the DS design to protect against data theft ensure that the process was carried out completely. Once the process has completed, the bay is unlocked and a certification label can be printed.How is data entered into the DS?
All data is entered using the touch screen (no keyboard or mouse). The DS comes with a stylus. However, one can also use their finger if they prefer. Never use other substitutes to the stylus including pens or pencils.Hard Drive Compatibility
What drive interfaces and formats are supported?
ATA/IDE and SATA, 2.5" and 3.5" drives are supported. Additional support includes both SCSI 68 Pin and SCSI 80 Pin. Upcoming support includes SAS (Available Q1 ‘09) and Flash Media (Available Q2 '09).
Why are multiple Personality Blocks needed to support 3.5" ATA hard drives?
Three Personality Blocks are needed to cover 3.5" ATA hard drives due to inconsistent connector spacing by hard drive manufacturers. 2.5" ATA hard drives are covered by a single Personality Block. SATA hard drives (both 2.5" and 3.5") are covered by a single Personality Block.Is there a specific list of hard drives that are compatible with the DS?
Yes, there is a Hardware Compatibility List (HCL). This document is updated periodically as internal testing is performed against new drives. In most cases, hard drives that are not listed are compatible if they are ATA/IDE or SATA drives.Does it matter what operating system is stored on the hard drive?
No. The DS can perform erasure processes regardless of the operating system that is stored on the drive.Will the DS support new types of hard drives that may be released in the future?
The Digital Shredder technical architecture was designed to accommodate all emerging standards in the disk drive industry including the SATA drive standards.
Do all three drives have to be the same interface or format?
No. Drive erasure can occur simultaneously across different drive interfaces and formats.If SCSI drives cannot be Secure Erased, what is the advantage of The Digital Shredder over software?
The speed advantage of Secure Erase available with most drives may not exist with SCSI drives. However, the Digital Shredder's value does not end with the Secure Erase feature:- Three drives can be processed at time
- Drives are subject to the tamper-proof certification process, and a single log will cover the ENTIRE drive population
- Drives can be partitioned, formatted and ghosted as part of the overall process
- Workstations are not tied up running software
- The entire process is physically secure