Tools to Really Erase a HD

We all know (or should know) that regular MS Windows methods for “deleting” files truly do not delete anything. However via the Center for Magnetic Recording Research and Dr. Gordon Hughes we have the Secure Erase standard.

Here is info on how really erase hard drive data:

Tutorial on Disk Drive Data Sanitization

Gordon Hughes - CMRR Secure Erase Page

Another alternative is an open source external block overwrite utility called Darik's Boot and Nuke ("DBAN").