What functions does the HDD Cruiser perform?

COPY makes an exact copy of the source hard drive to 3 target hard drives. COMPARE compares the duplicate HDDs to the source. PRE SCAN tests the source drive for readability and read speed RESCAN double checks the HDD bus SOURCE HD SIZE displays the size of the source HDD OVERWRITE-choices for Sanitizing: one pass, three pass or 7 pass overwrites SETUP fine tuning adjustments

How do I attach a hard drive for sanitizing or duplicating?

1. Each drive tray is removable. Unlock drive trays by inserting the key and turning it left � turn. The trays are now in the unlocked position. (key vertical) 2. Lift drive tray handle and gently pull tray out and a protective drive bay door will close. 3.Remove drive tray cover by pushing it toward the back of the tray. 4. Attach power and IDE connectors to your drive 5. Replace cover 6. Align the drive tray with the protective drive bay door and slide the drive tray through pushing firmly until you feel the drive seat in its connector. 7. Push the drive tray locking lever down and insert key and turn it � turn to the right. The drive tray is now in its locked position (key horizontal). You can remove the key. The hard drive in the tray will not work unless the drive tray is locked in position with the key. Note:If you are duplicating, the source hard disk drive goes in the top bay.

How is sanitizing accomplished in the HDD Cruiser?

The Aleratec HDD Cruiser sanitizes hard drives by overwriting all accessible blocks. The HDD Cruiser has 3 overwrite patterns to use: One Overwrite Pass Three Overwrite Passes with Verify option 7 Overwrite Passes DoD 5220.22-M (ECE)

Why does a HDD need to be sanitized?

So sensitive information does not get into the wrong hands. Sanitizing is particularly useful in computer hard drive upgrades. The old drive usually contains private and sensitive information. If a hard disk drive is to be reclaimed or recycled it is important to assure that the data on the old drive is permanently gone and cannot be used or disseminated. This is common sense for the protection of your private and sensitive information. In a much broader scope Federal Laws have been recently enacted to protect information and prescribe penalties for non compliance. For example: The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act civil and criminal penalties for including fines and even imprisonment:  Civil penalties for businesses can include fines up to $100,000 for each violation  Officers and directors can be held personally liable for a civil penalty for up to $10,000 per violation  Criminal penalties may include up to five years in prison

Failure to comply with HIPAA regulations can result in penalties:  Fines of $100 per violation, up to $25,000 per year for each requirement or prohibition violated.  Criminal penalties range from a fine of $50,000 and one year in prison up to a fine of $250,000 and ten years in prison.

Does overwriting provide a secure sanitization of hard disc drives?

Running the overwrite patterns on a hard drive provides more than reasonable assurance that data on all useable blocks will be unrecoverable. Multiple pass overwriting is very secure and is one of the methods recommended in U.S. Department of Defense specifications.

Does the drive have to work to be sanitized?

Yes, the motor and actuator, as well as certain components of the logic and controller must be functional. Then the HDD Cruiser will be able to conduct an effective sanitizing of the drive.

Is the HDD Cruiser safe to ship?

Yes, be sure to save the original packaging material in case the unit needs to be shipped to another location or returned for repair.

What is DoD 5220.22-M?

DoD document 2550.22-M is the most widely quoted government document for erasure of classified data from computer storage devices. For erasure of user data, it calls for all data locations ever accessible by users to be overwritten by �00�, its binary complement �FF�, and a third random data pattern, which is read verified.

How long does it take to Overwrite a drive?

Since every block on a drive must be accessed during a complete overwrite process the process can take several hours, Most drives will complete in 1 or 2 hours. Large drives will take longer. When doing multiple pass overwrites on very large capacity drives can take hours, so drive cooling is extremely important. The HDD Cruiser has individual aluminum drive trays, each with double fans to assure the optimum thermal conductivity for cooling. Just as important, the Aleratec HDD Cruiser is a stand alone device that requires no computer to operate so your computers are not tied up for hours duplicating or sanitizing hard drives.

DoD 5220.22M actually requires only three overwrite passes, why does the HDD Cruiser do seven?

There are several levels of the standard. DoD 5220.22-M (E) requires only three overwrite passes and a verify. DoD 5220.22-M (ECE) requires seven overwrite passes. Running these overwrite patterns on a hard drive provides more than reasonable assurance that data on all useable blocks will be unrecoverable.

What is the minimum and maximum storage size that can be effectively overwritten and sanitized?

There is no physical limit to the compatible volume size. What format hard drives can be sanitized or duplicated? 3.5� IDE drives of any capacity can be processed. An optional adapter is available for 2.5� IDE hard drives (Aleratec Part No. 240142).

How many drives can be sanitized at the same time?

If you are using HDD Cruiser as a drive sanitizer, 4 drives can be processed simultaneously.

How many drives can be duplicated at the same time?

If you are using HDD Cruiser as a hard drive duplicator, the source drive is loaded in the top drive bay and 3 drives can be processed simultaneously.

Are sanitized drives reusable?

Yes, the HDD Cruiser makes your drives ready for redeployment. They can be treated as a new hard drive. Additional operations following sanitizing include: initializing, creating a partition, and reformatting the drive.

What is imaging?

Many IT departments deploy new PCs by copying over an image of a 'corporate master' drive to the new PC. The HDD Cruiser can do by simply placing blank HDDa in the bottom 3 bays and image drive in top bay. Just go to the Copy function and press ENT. The drive image will be copied to the 3 target drives. The only restriction is that the target drive must be as large as the image drive. Be aware that if the target drives used are much larger capacity than the source drive, the source drive will be copied exactly and you will lose the excess capacity of the target drives.

What do the LED indicators on the right side of each drive bay indicate?

OFF: Vacant bay, available for use GREEN: Drive is loaded and ready, but no operation is taking place RED: Drive activity light. Sanitizing or Duplicating is being executed, bay mechanically locked.

Can the HDD Cruiser firmware be updated?

Yes, HDD Cruiser owners can download new versions of firmware from www.aleratec.com. Downloaded firmware updates must be saved to a CD. Open the case of the HDD Cruiser. Disconnect the IDE ribbon cable from the white connector on the controller board. Connect the CD/DVD ROM drive to the white connector. Place the firmware CD in the CD/DVD ROM drive and update the firmware.

Can the sanitizing or duplicating process be aborted?

Yes, but to be sure drives have been sanitized or complete duplicate copies made, the sanitizing or duplicating action should be re run.

How is data entered into the HDD Cruiser?

All data is entered using the switch panel with a back lighted LCD display

Does it matter what operating system is stored on the hard drive?

No. The HDD Cruiser can sanitize or duplicate regardless of the operating system that is stored on the drive.

Do all drives have to be the same format?

No. The only restriction is when duplicating, the target drives must be as large or larger in capacity as the source drive. Be aware that if the target drives used are much larger capacity than the source drive, the source drive will be copied exactly and you will lose the excess capacity of the target drives.