FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions.


  • How do I connect a hard disk?
    The Digital Shredder was designed for easy use. That is why no cables are required. The simple design of the adapter allows it to be connected quickly to the hard disk. Simply select the suitable model (depending on the format and size of your hard disk) and connect the hard disk. Push the adapter with the hard disk into the drive until they lock into place.
  • What is Secure Erase and how does it differ from normal overwriting programs?
    Secure Erase uses a code installed on the hard disk to activate an erasing process that is performed in a single cycle, which has proven to be more effective than overwriting three times. Since only one cycle is necessary, only about 1/8 of the time is required. For a complete overview of Secure Erase and a comparison with other data destruction methods, please download our White Paper.
    Can I use Secure Erase with all hard disks?
    Almost all SATA, IDE and ATA hard disks produced since 2001 (and many devices produced since 1999) are compatible with Secure Erase.
  • How long does it take to process a hard disk using Secure Erase?
    With most hard disks, the process takes less than an hour. Extremely large hard disks, e.g. 300 GB hard disks, will need more time. Secure Erase is much faster than standard overwrite algorithms, with three cycles that may take several hours or even entire days. A rule of thumb is that Secure Erase is normally eight times faster than three times overwriting..
  • For which minimum and maximum memory sizes can Secure Erase be used for effective processing?
    There are no physical limits to the compatible volume.
  • Secure Erase removes the operating system. Do I need to reformat the hard disk before reinstalling the operating system?
    Secure Erase is a clearing process with a single cycle that eliminates the data in all parts of the storage medium that can be accessed by the user. After clearing the hard disk, no operating system is left on the hard disk. All segments of the hard disk are completely empty. The only exception are the device control segments, to which the user has no access.
  • Does the Digital Shredder invalidate the manufacturer's warranty on faulty hard disks?
    No. Secure Erase can be used for hard disks with a valid warranty. If they fail, they are sent back to the manufacturer without the warranty claim being rendered invalid. None of the Digital Shredder's functions invalidates the manufacturer's warranty on hard disks.
  • Can I only erase fully functional hard disks?
    No. As long as the rotor, actuator and certain logical components work, the Digital Shredder can clear the device effectively – even if the control unit fails and the hard disk is no longer recognised by a computer or network. The reason for this is that the Digital Shredder is not in complete control of the device and does not use most stages of the integrated control unit.
  • Is the Digital Shredder portable?
    The Digital Shredder was designed for field service from the very beginning. Due to its small footprint and its lightweight design, it can be moved easily and its components can be packed in the optionally available hard-top case without any problems. Neither an external keypad nor a mouse are required, due to the integrated touch screen. The Digital Shredder can be assembled quickly for field service due to its compact design. The Digital Shredder is ideal for mobile technical support staff or for companies with several branches without central IT departments.
  • How many hard disks can be processed simultaneously?
    Three hard disks can be processed simultaneously. The drives for the hard disks are “hot-swap capable”, i.e. hard disks can be removed or added while others are still in use.
  • Can erased hard disks be used again?
    Yes, hard disks may be reused after being processed by the Digital Shredder. You can use the "Standard options" screen to select various processes that are to be executed on the hard disk after erasure. The standard process for an inserted hard disk is determined by the administrator. However, this process may deviate from the standard settings for each individual hard disk. The additional operations after erasure include: creating a partition, re-formatting the hard disk, imaging the hard disk and printing a certification label.
  • How does re-imaging work?
    Many IT departments put new PCs into service and transfer a copy of the “master hard disk” of the company to the new PC. The Digital Shredder can do this for you. Simply insert the hard disk to be erased in drive A or B and insert the image hard disk in drive C. Then the Digital Shredder uses the script tool to make a binary copy of drive C at the target slot.
    The only prerequisite is that the target hard disk must have the same capacity as the image hard disk.
  • Which format file systems does the Digital Shredder support?
    The Digital Shredder currently supports FAT, FAT16, FAT32 NTFS, EXT1 and EXT2.
  • Does the Digital Shredder support user accounts?
    Yes. Every user must register, in order to prevent any misuse of the Digital Shredder and to record logging information. There are two user categories: standard and administrator. Only administrators are able to set up other users or define default settings for operating the Digital Shredder.
  • Is it possible to cancel the erasing process?
    No. Once the beginning of the process has been acknowledged, the drive is locked physically so that no interruption is possible. The Digital Shredder – designed for protection against data theft – ensures that the process is completed correctly. Once the process has been completed, the drive is unlocked and a certification label can be printed.
  • Does it matter which operating system is installed on the hard disk?
    No. The Digital Shredder can execute erasing processes, regardless of the operating system installed on the hard disk.
  • Will the Digital Shredder support future hard disk types?
    The technical architecture of the Digital Shredder was designed to comply with all new standards of the hard disk industry, including SATA hard disk standards.
  • Must all three hard disks have the same format?
    No. The erasure of the hard disk can be performed simultaneously for different hard disk formats.
  • Since Secure Erase is not suitable for processing SCSI hard disks, why is the Digital Shredder better than software?
    Secure Erase's speed advantage, from which most hard disks benefit, may possibly not have any effect on SCSI hard disks. However, the value of the Digital Shredder is not restricted to the Secure Erase feature:
    • Three hard disks can be processed simultaneously.
    • The hard disks undergo the manipulation-proof certification process and a single log covers the processing of ALL hard disks.
    • Hard disks can be partitioned, formatted and imaged in the background as part of the overall process.
    • Workstations are not blocked by active software.
    • The entire process is physically safe.
  • What is the purpose of the certification label?
    The certification label is your proof that the hard disk was erased. Certification labels can only be printed for hard disks for which the erasing process was completed. It is not possible to print a label for a hard disk, for which the process has not been completed. Labels can only be printed again for previously erased hard disks. The bar code label contains the name of the operator, date and time of erasure, the serial number of the hard disk and the duration of the process.
  • Does the Digital Shredder ever read user data?
    No. The only read operation performed by the Digital Shredder is the inspection of the erasing process.
  • How does the Digital Shredder save the log data?
    A 512MB CF card is the only storage device in the DS. The Digital Shredder does not have a hard disk.
  • Can I download the log data stored in the Digital Shredder?
    Yes. You can connect a USB storage device to the DS and download data from the application (CSV format). This data can be used to create customer reports, etc.