1. |
What
is eraseyourharddrive.comSM?
eraseyourharddrive.comSM is a web-based, hard drive disk erasure
tool that uses “floppy boot simulation software” technology
to permanently remove all data from a computer’s hard drive. back
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2. |
How
do I download eraseyourharddrive.comSM?
You will not actually download eraseyourharddrive.comSM. It will
be installed to your computer using One-Click technology from
Installshield™. back
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3. |
How
Do I install eraseyourharddrive.comSM once I have downloaded
it?
You will not actually download eraseyourharddrive.comSM. Using
One-Click technology from Installshield™, you will simply
click “Erase My Hard Drive” and you will then be
asked to allow the program to install. back
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4. |
What
if I have any questions?
To contact our "Help Desk” click here.
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5. |
Why
do I need to erase my hard drive?
Identity theft is reaching epidemic proportions. Over 700,000
cases are reported each year. Everyday actions, including online
banking, online shopping, and a variety of other online and offline
actions, can save your most personal data on your computer’s
hard drive. That personal information can easily be retrieved
and used to steal your identity. Erasing data from your hard
drive before you sell, donate or otherwise dispose of your computer
safeguards your personal information and reduces the chance that
you become a victim of identity theft. back
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6. |
What
data will be erased? Can I choose files to save?
eraseyourharddrive.comSM erases all data from your hard drive,
including files, directories and the operating system. Since
the erasure is automatic and complete, there is no risk of user-error
resulting in data remaining on the hard drive.
We recommend backing up data that you may require at a later
date prior to downloading and initiating the installation of
eraseyourharddrive.comSM.
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7. |
Is
there any way to undo or recover from an eraseyourharddrive.comSM
disk wipe?
No. eraseyourharddrive.comSM does not have an “undo” feature
nor any recovery possibilities. You must be absolutely certain
you are willing to completely lose the data you intend to erase.
We recommend backing up data that you may require at a later
date prior to downloading and initiating the installation of
eraseyourharddrive.comSM. back
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8. |
Does
my computer need to be connected to the Internet to run eraseyourharddrive.comSM?
Your computer must be connected to the Internet to reach eraseyourharddrive.comSM
and begin the installation. Once the installation is initiated,
the connection to the Internet will terminate.
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9. |
What
are the hardware and software system requirements to activate
eraseyourharddrive.comSM?
Hardware/Software
|
Minimum Requirements |
Processor
|
Intel X86 compatible processor |
| Controllers |
IDE, EIDE,or SCSI |
| Hard drive free space |
10MB |
| Hard drive free space |
10MB |
| RAM |
8MB |
| Internet Access |
56k Modem |
| Web Browser |
Microsoft Inernet Explorer 5.0, or higher |
| Drive Access |
LBA (Logical Block Address) and/or CHS (Cylinder-Head-Sector) |
| Operating System |
Windows 9x, ME, NT 4, 2000, XP and 2003 |
| Monitor |
VGA |
| Pointing Device |
Because it is a DOS-based program, the mouse will
be inactive when using
eraseyourharddrive.com .
The arow keys on the keyboard can be used to
make menu selections.
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10. |
Windows
XP Service Pack 2 may require the installation of an ActiveX
component
A message similar to: "This site might require the following
ActiveX control: 'QSGI_DownloadInstal.CAB' from 'Windosortech,Inc.'
Click here to install." May appear if you have Windows XP
Service Pack 2 installed. If so, please click on it and select "Install
ActiveX Control..." to complete the operation.
This is a normal operation and will not adversely affect
your PC or compromise its security
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11. |
What
platforms are compatible with eraseyourharddrive.comSM?
eraseyourharddrive.comSM requires that your computer has a modem
or other Internet connection, Web-browser and has been engineered
for Windows-based computers that are running Windows 9x, Windows
ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows 2003 operating systems.
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12. |
Will
eraseyourharddrive.comSM download and run on Apple/Macintosh/Linux
machines and/or Sun Servers?
At this time eraseyourharddrive.comSM only works on Microsoft
Windows-based operating systems.
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13. |
What
if the activation program freezes? Why?
Most problems encountered during the installation of eraseyourharddrive.comSM
are due to a system that has insufficient permissions or space
to install new software.
You must have “administrator” permission to install
eraseyourharddrive.comSM. Please refer to your Windows operating
system manual or contact your network administrator to resolve
any permission problems.
If you have sufficient space, adequate permission and, in the
unlikely event, eraseyourharddrive.comSM “freezes” or
fails to activate for any other reason, please email our “Help
Desk” by clicking here.
A qualified technician will assist you with your inquiries. If
they are unableto help you complete your hard drive disk erasure,
we will arrange for your hard drive to be picked-up at our expense
and erased at our facilities in Hightstown, NJ at no additional
cost to you.
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14. |
eraseyourharddrive.comSM
guaranteed or warranted?
eraseyourharddrive.comSM is guaranteed to work on systems that
meet the specification and platform requirements discussed in
FAQs #9 and #10. We have a 100-percent, money back satisfaction
guarantee. If you encounter a problem with eraseyourharddrive.comSM,
we’ll take all the necessary steps to ensure your complete
satisfaction and erasure of your hard drive (subject to delivering
to our headquarters, at our expense, the failed hard drive or
computer). back
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15. |
Will
eraseyourharddrive.comSM erase my operating system?
eraseyourharddrive.comSM will remove all files, directories and
operating systems from your hard drive.
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16. |
Should
I and how can I backup my data before I run eraseyourharddrive.comSM?
We recommend backing up all data that you may require at a later
date prior to activating eraseyourharddrive.comSM. There are
a variety of options, including backing up to floppy disk, CD/DVD,
Zip drives, transferring data over LAN and Internet-based, data
back-up services.
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17. |
Is
eraseyourharddrive.comSM certified as compatible with NSA, Department of Defense specifications 5220.22-M
or NATO standards?
No; however, it is fully compliant with these standards.
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18. |
How
secure is the erasure process?
eraseyourharddrive.comSM utilizes a US Department of Defense
5220.22-M, Chapter 8-306 standard of sanitization. This means
that we guarantee that once you have used eraseyourharddrive.comSM
to wipe the data on your hard drive, that data cannot be recovered.
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19. |
Is
eraseyourharddrive.comSM safe?
eraseyourharddrive.comSM is built with multiple safety features
to safeguard your data and prevent unintentional, unauthorized
and/or malicious distribution.
• Data Security Safety Features
- US Department of Defense 5220.22-M, Chapter
8-306 sanitizing standards
- 100% erasure guarantee
• Distribution Safety Features
- QSGI, the parent company of eraseyourharddrive.comSM,
takes data security very seriously. For that reason,
eraseyourharddrive.comSM is not
available in traditional downloadable or hard-media format. Boot-simulation
software
technology virtually eliminates
unintentional, unauthorized and/or malicious distribution.
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20. |
Can
I download eraseyourharddrive.comSM on one computer and then
run it on another?
eraseyourharddrive.comSM is deployed via our Web-based application
using “boot-simulation software technology.” As such,
it cannot be downloaded on one computer for use on another. Once
activated, your computer will reboot and the application will
begin.
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21. |
How
fast can eraseyourharddrive.comSM wipe a drive?
This depends on the hardware involved, hard drive interface and
speed, system RAM, wipe method, etc. However, on most current
hardware, the average speed for writing all zeroes to the hard
drive is 2 GB/minute. The average speed for the Department of Defense specifications 5220.22-M method is
600 MB/minute, with similar results from the NSA methods. Using
the Department of Defense specifications 5220.22-M method with maximum passes results in an average speed
of 250 MB/minute.
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22. |
Is
it safe to pay for eraseyourharddrive.comSM with my credit
card?
Site Certificates
Every secure page on eraseyourharddrive.comSM has been secured
with a digital certificate by Verisign/RSA. This is shown via
the “site certificate” icon that appears on all secure
pages. To view this certificate, click on the image of the “closed
lock” or the “solid key” on the bottom bar
of your browser window. A small frame displaying “site
security information” will appear. If you are using Internet
Explorer, click on the word “Subject” to verify that
you are on eraseyourharddrive.comSM. Click on “Issuer” to
verify the site certification authority.
Credit Card Safety
As you would expect, when you order online from eraseyourharddrive.comSM,
your personal information, including your credit card number,
is encrypted. If you would like to make a purchase, but would
prefer to give your credit card information to a live representative,
simply email our “Help Desk” by clicking here.
Credit Card Fraud Protection
Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, all major credit card companies
protect cardholders against fraud, subject to a $50 deductible.
In the event of an unauthorized use of your credit card, you
must notify your credit card provider in accordance with its
rules and procedures.
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23. |
Internet
Explorer(IE) version discovery
The version of Internet Explorer (IE) will be discovered by opening
IE then click on ‘Help’ within the menu bar and finally
selecting ‘About.’
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24. |
Operating
System(OS) version discovery
Press the ‘Start’ button, click on ‘Run’(this
will open a command window), type ‘winver’. Please
note if a service pack has been applied.
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25. |
I
have a system restore partition on the PC, what will happen to
this?
All partitions, including OEM hardware system restore partitions
are erased upon the completion of the EraseYourHardDrive erasure.
If you intend to reuse the PC, ensure you have made prior arrangements
to do so.
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