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KillDisk

Common Questions

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4. Common Questions

4.1. How does the licensing work?

The software is licensed on a per USB / floppy or CD basis. Each license allows you to use the program from a separate USB / floppy or CD. If you want to use the program to wipe 5 computers concurrently, you would need 5 USB / floppy or CDs and therefore need a 5 user license.

4.2. How is the data erased?

Active@ KillDisk communicates with the system board Basic Input-Output Subsystem (BIOS) functions to access hardware directly.

It uses Logical Block Addressing (LBA) access if necessary to clean FAT32 drives more than 8 Gb in size. To erase data it overwrites all addressable locations on the drive with zeros (FREE version).

Active@ KillDisk Professional version suggests several methods for data destruction.

For example, in US DoD 5220.22-M method it overwrites all addressable storage and indexing locations on the drive three times: with zeros (0x00), complement (0xFF) and random characters; and then verifies all writing procedures.

This complies with the US DoD 5220.22-M security standard.

4.3. What is the difference between the Site and Enterprise license?

A Site License allows for unlimited usage of the program at one physical location, whereas an Enterprise License allows unlimited usage at any of the purchasing companies locations worldwide.

4.4. How to update my current KillDisk software online?

To update or re-download your KillDisk software go to the link below and follow the instructions:
https://secure.lsoft.net/clients/

4.5. Which operating systems are supported by Active@ KillDisk?

Active@ KillDisk runs in the Microsoft DOS environment. As it can be installed easily onto a bootable USB / floppy, it does not matter which operating system is installed on the machine hard drive. If you can boot in DOS mode from the boot diskette, you can detect and erase any drives independent of the installed Operating System.

4.6. Is Active@ KillDisk compatible with Macintosh computers?

No, it is not.

4.7. What to do if I cannot boot from a USB / floppy?

There are many possible reasons that you cannot boot from a USB / floppy. Please consult this troubleshooting chart:

Table 4-3 Troubleshooting Floppy Problems

Problem Solution
Error message "bad command or file name" You can use our KillDisk Bootable USB / floppy Creator to make a bootable USB / floppy: FREE DOWNLOAD

To use KillDisk USB / floppy creator you should save "killdiskfloppysetup.exe" file to HDD, execute it, insert an empty USB in the drive and follow the creator`s instructions.

Then you should execute "kd-setup.zip" and copy all the extracted flies to the current diskette. Make sure you have overwritten the file killdisk.exe with your own from the registered version.

Then re-boot your PC using current USB / floppy.
USB is not bootable or damaged. With the USB in drive A:, verify whether or not system files (COMMAND.COM, etc.) are located on USB. If the disk directory can be read and system files appear by name, the disk or some files on the disk may be damaged.

On a DOS or Windows PC, run SCANDISK.EXE to check for damaged areas on the disk surface.

Alternately, prepare and test another bootable USB.
Machine has boot priority for Hard Disk Drives, or another device set higher than for USB Drives. Open the low-level setup screen, usually by pressing F1 on the keyboard during PC startup.

These setup parameters build structure in the BIOS. Locate the section about Boot Device Priority, or similar.

This section will allow you to set the search order for types of boot devices. When the screen opens, a list of boot devices will appear.

Typical devices on this list will be Hard Drives, CD ROM drives, USB / floppy Drives and Network Boot option. If the USB device has been disabled, enable it (provided you have a USB / floppy disk installed).

The priority should indicate that the USB / floppy device is the number one device the BIOS consults when searching for boot instructions. If USB Drives is at the top of the list, that is usually the indicator.

4.8. Will I be able to use my Hard Disk Drive after Active@ KillDisk erase operation?

To be able to use HDD again you need to:

  • repartition HDD using a standard utility like FDISK
  • reformat partitions using a standard utility like FORMAT
  • reinstall Operating System using bootable CD-ROM or USB

This document is available in PDF format, which requires Adobe® Acrobat® Reader
(Free download):

USER'S GUIDE
Size: 714 KB

USER'S GUIDE (Console)
Size: 683 KB

KillDisk Datasheet
Size: 2,44 MB

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