An alternating current (AC) bulk eraser (degausser) is used for complete erasure of data and other signals on magnetic media. Degaussing is a process where magnetic media is exposed to a powerful, alternating magnetic field. Degaussing removes any previously written data, leaving the media in a magnetically randomized (blank) state.

The degausser must subject the media to an alternating magnetic field of sufficient intensity to saturate the media and then by slowly withdrawing or reducing the field, the magnetic media is left in a magnetically neutral state.

To erase recorded data, it is necessary for the strength of the degaussing field to be greater in value than the coercivity of the magnetic media. Simply stated, coercivity is the magnetic field strength, rated in oersteds (Oe), required to change the magnetic orientation of the magnetic material. Check with knowledgeable dealers or degausser manufacturers to identify degausser models that meet your requirements.

Data is typically not lost until its level has been decreased 65% to 75% (or more) below its original saturation recording signal level, dependent upon the drive system.

 

For more information on download a program to erase your hard drive, erasing hard drives, degaussing equipment, and degaussing services, see also: how to wipe your hard drive hard drive wipe xp erase free space on hard drive how to wipeout a hard drive wipe the hard drive why can't i erase data off my cd-rw disc how do i completely erase a hard drive ships degaussing principle how to delete hard drive completely wipe hard drive free hard disk cleaners erase all data palm delete data miner how to clean a hard drive driver to erase rewrite cd hard drive wipeout clean hard drive xp degaus free hard drive clean tape head cleaner data security policies erase access denied files destroy data and hard drive erase hard drive computer free erase hard drive computer free erase cd freeware hard drive erase program home security equipment data hard drive wipeout degauss video r.s. andrews high efficiency media retrofit air cleaner windows 2000 hard disk clean old compressed files slow v91m hd hard disk drive degausser more data less security wipe hard drive with cipher.exe degausing a tv unix tool erase disk how to clean out hard drive on computer homemade degausing coil delete hard drive to reinstall windows 98se

A complete erasure level, for most users, is considered to be 60 dB below the original signal level – this of course depends on user requirements. A 60 dB signal decrease equates to reducing the signal to one tenth of one percent of its original value.

Magnetic media products that have factory prerecorded magnetic servo patterns should not be degaussed. Degaussing would erase the factory written magnetic servo signals and leave the media unusable. For all other magnetic media (without magnetic servo signals), after proper degaussing, the quality of subsequent data recording should be unchanged or even improved.

It is very important to understand and follow the degausser’s operating instructions. This is especially important for manual units where the operator controls the media’s movement through the degaussing field. For higher coercivity media, four passes are often recommended – two passes, with a 90 degree rotation for the second pass, and then repeat the process with the media turned upside-down. Of course, these and other important operating considerations will vary with the type, power and construction of the individual degausser models.

For more information on download a program to erase your hard drive, degaussers, erasing hard drives, cleaning hard drives, degaussing, and erasing harddrives, see also: