Kroll Ontrack Eraser Degausser 3.0 User manual

Ontrack Eraser Degausser 3.0
User’s Guide

3
Welcome to Ontrack Eraser Degausser 3.0
The Ontrack Eraser Degausser, which is part of the Ontrack Eraser product suite, is a hardware
based erase solution which can be used to erase data in a fast, secure and user-friendly way.
With the Ontrack Eraser Degausser you can erase data from magnetic based storage devices,
such as non-operational storage units and removable magnetic media such as tapes and ZIP
drives.
The degausser erases the media by applying a strong magnetic field through the media.This
removes all information recorded on the unit, including calibration and servo information.
The result is, that the information is not recoverable, nor will it be possible to format and
reuse the unit (some tape formats can be reused).
This User’s guide is a description of the Ontrack Eraser Degausser, how it works and how to
use it.
Ontrack Eraser Degausser is certified by the Norwegian authorities NSM (Nasjonal Sikker-
hetsmyndighet), and British CESG. Ontrack Eraser Degausser is also recommended by Ger-
man BSI.
Ontrack Eraser is a product suite which consists of two different solutions all focusing
on secure erase of data from different storage devices. The solutions are: Ontrack Eraser
Degausser and Ontrack Eraser software for PCs and servers.
Welcome to Ontrack Eraser Degausser 3.0 3
Important 4
Features and specification 5
Features
Specification
Basic information 6
How does it work? 6
Unpacking and transportation 7
Powering on the unit 7
Main fuses 7
Unit types 7
Remote Control 7
Operating guideline for the Ontrack Eraser Degausser 8
Front 10
Back 11
Mode, Value and Operate display 11
Operate Display
Value display
Mode display
Considerations 12
Maintenance 13
Safety issues 13
Contact and Legal Information 14
Notice to Users 17
Trademarks
Copyrights
U.S. Contact Information
International Contact Information 15
Appendix A 18
Appendix B 19
Contents
2009 09 0055

4 5
Important
The Ontrack Eraser Degausser has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not in-
stalled and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur
in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio
or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on,
the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that
to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Warning: This unit emits a very strong magnetic field. Be sure to remove wrist watches
before operating the unit. Personnel fitted with a Cardiac Pacemaker should not stand
within 0.5 metres of the unit.
If of one of the capacitors is short-circuiting the other one might get over-voltage and
cells can start to leak some gas. The gas is easy to smell. Turn off the degausser and
ventilate the room properly. The gas is potentially harmful with long exposure.
Caution: Having electronic equipment near the degausser, no particular caution regard-
ing EMF (electromagnetic field) needs to be taken. Please contact your local Kroll Ontrack
office.
Note: The degausser is equipped with an overheat function. If the degausser overheats,
the overheat function will set the unit into a non-functional state. Once the degausser
cools down, the unit will return to a functional state.
Use: To ensure a safe and effective erase process, only authorized personnel should
operate the degausser.
Features and specification
Features:
• Logic controlled
• Remote controlled
• Front controlled
• Built-in Quality Control system
• Diagnosis mode
• Detection of insufcient eld strength
• Usage counter
• Display functions: Gauss measure in center and in peak value
Volt measure
Ampere measure
Fast erasing: Less than 1 second (single pass)
Quick run time: Less than 5 seconds
Specification:
Model: Ontrack Eraser Degausser 3.0
Type: Degausser
Mounting: Free standing front operated
Origin: Made in Norway
Voltage: AC 100-240V
Frequency: 50Hz, 60Hz
Current: 10-5A
Fuse: T10A - 250V
Maximum Ambient Operating Temp: 40 degrees Celsius
Dimension: L x W x H - 455 x 702 x 268 mm
Weight: 73 kg
Field: (gauss) Peak 18.000
Center 10.000
Caution: Double Pole/Neutral Fusing
Note: The degausser must be connected
to a grounded power socket

6 7
Basic information
To meet the requirements for erasing today’s high density magnetic storage devices Kroll
Ontrack has designed and delivered an extremely powerful, 3rd generation degausser to the
market. Whether you want to erase operational or non-operational magnetic based storage
devices, you can now do it in a fast, secure and user friendly way thanks to this latest
invention from Kroll Ontrack.
Using the Ontrack Eraser Degausser, the media is erased by exposing it to a strong
DC magnetic field. This will drive the media into saturation and effectively erase all
information. For hard drives, this method is destructive because the servo and maintenance
information is also erased. This means that any drive erased using this method will not
work afterwards.
How does it work?
To produce a magnetic field, the degausser uses an electromagnet which produces a
very strong magnetic field by passing current through a coil. To provide the large current
necessary the degausser is equipped with a bank of capacitors.The capacitors will become
partly discharged after each erase cycle, but the built-in reload function will automatically
recharge the capacitors to an operational state instantly. If the capacitors, for whatever
reason, are not able to deliver the necessary current, the degausser will notify the user in
the Operate display.
The degausser is equipped with an advanced control program which is operated via the
Mode button. The status information is displayed in the Mode display and Value display.
A description of the Mode button and the Mode display is provided on page 10.
The active erase area is located at the front of the degausser. Within the active erase area
the magnetic field is strongest, and the unit you are erasing has to be placed in the erase
area.
Unpacking and transportation
Unpack the degausser carefully before using the degausser. Please inspect the degausser for
any physical damage before using the degausser. If the degausser is damaged please don’t
use the degausser. Instead, contact your local Kroll Ontrack office for further information.
When transporting the degausser from one location to another you have to use the original
transportation container which is delivered together with the degausser. Failing from doing
so will void the warranty.
Powering on the unit
The main switch is placed on the backside of the unit.
Main fuses
The degausser main fuses are placed under the main switch. The fuses are placed under a
plastic cover. It is necessary to open the plastic cover in order to remove/change the fuses.
Unit types
The Ontrack Eraser Degausser can handle unit types sized up to 3.5”. The unit types can be
both tapes and hard drives. The number of erase cycles required depends on the unit size.
The guidelines are as follow:
• All units sized above 2.5” requires 2 cycles.
• All units sized under and equal to 2.5” requires 1 cycle.
Remote Control
You can operate the degausser by using the
Operate button on the front of the degausser
or by using a remote control (included with the
degausser). Two buttons are placed on the remote
control. The button on the left side is used for
mode changes and the button on the right side is
used for degaussing.
For erasing and programming the
Remote Control, see appendix B.

8 9
d) Push the unit further into the erase area until it stops in the inner end position (see picture 6.)
e) Press the operate button to execute the second erasure cycle
f) Push the unit gently 0.3 cm into the erase area and the unit will be ejected automatically
g) The erasure process is finished, remove the unit from the erase area
h) Mark the unit to indicate that it has been erased
2) Units on 2,5” form factor and smaller
a) Place the unit into the erase slot in the
2,5” adapter ( see picture 7 )
b) Insert the 2,5” adapter with the hook on plat-
form first into the erase area ( see picture 8 )
c) Push the 2,5” adapter gently until it meets
resistance and continue until it stops in
the inner end position ( see picture 9 )
d) Press the operate button to execute the
erasure cycle
e) Push the 2,5” adapter gently 0.3 cm into the
erase area and the adapter will be ejected
automatically
f) Pull the adapter out of the erase area
g) The erasure process is finished, remove the
unit from the 2,5” adapter
h) Mark the unit to indicate that it has been erased
If the degausser fails to operate, the Operate display
will show the Error. The error type can be found by
using the Mode display function.
If the degausser fails to operate because the tem-
perature gets too high, the Operate display will
show Temp. The degausser will turn into a normal
operate mode once the temperature returns to a
normal.
Operating guideline for the Ontrack Eraser Degausser
The following operating guideline should be followed in order to maintain a high level of
security and quality.
Note: Before using the degausser please ensure that the degausser has been powered on at
for at least 2 minutes. The operate button and the erase area will turn blue when ready.
1. Record the unit identification information (manufacturer, model and serial number)
2. Check the erasure authorization.The operator must obtain authorization from
the rightful owner of the data
3. The operator must ensure that he/she has received the correct unit
4. The erasure process
1) Units above 2,5” form factor
The magnetic media/disks needs to be near the
erasure coil inside the degausser. Insert the magnetic
media/unit with the magnetic disks rst into the erase
area. As a guideline, on a majority of disks the con-
nectors will now be outside the erase area. If you are
unsure on the position of the magnetic disks perform
the erasure process with the unit oriented in both
directions.
a) Place the unit into the erase area with the
electrical connectors pointing out
as shown in picture 5.
b) Push the unit gently until it meets resistance
(for position see picture 5)
c) Press the operate button to execute the first
erasure cycle
5.
6.
8.
7.
9.
The magnetic media

10 11
Back
At the backside of the degausser you will find the main power connector as well as the
Cycle counter display. The Cycle counter display displays the number of cycles the
degausser has performed in total. The display cannot be reset.
Mode, Value and Operate display
The 3 displays at the front of the degausser all interacts with each other.
The main display of the degausser is the Operate display.
Operate Display
The Operate display will show the status of the degausser. The status can be:
• Error
• OK
• Temp
If the status is Error you can use the Mode display to see what type of error is present.
If the status is OK it simply means the no error has occurred during the last erase cycle.
If the status is Temp it’s because the temperature of the degausser is too high. Once the
degausser returns to normal operating temperature the degausser will automatically return
to a Ready state.
Value display
The value display interacts directly with the Mode display. For example, if the Mode display
is set to Volt the voltage value is shown in the Value display. The default value shown in the
Value display is the gauss peak level.
Front
There are 3 display areas at the front of the degausser:
• Mode display
• Value display
• Operate display
At the left you will find the
Mode display and the Value
display. The Mode display
is used to show error codes,
for testing and service
purpose and for remote
control programming. The
Value display will show values
according to the selected
mode in the Mode display. The
Operate display is placed at the right side. The Operate display is used to show the status
of the degausser.
There are 2 buttons at the front of the degausser, an Operate button and a Mode button.
The Operate button, which is placed at the right, is used to start the erase cycle. The Mode
button, placed on the left side, is used to navigate through the various modes.
A Lock is placed at the front panel of the degausser. The lock is used to switch the degausser
into a non-cycling state. When the degausser is in a non-cycling state all Modes can still
be used except for the cycling mode. When the degausser is set in a non-cycling state it is
not possible to perform an erase cycle. Turning the lock clockwise places the degausser in a
cycling state.
The erase area is placed in the middle of the front. Units which are going to be erased have
to be placed into the erase slot. The erase area is equipped with an auto push mechanism.
The auto push mechanism will assist the user pushing out the unit from the erase area.
The erase areaThe lock
The cycle counterThe main power connector

12 13
Mode display
The mode display is used to show error codes for testing and service purpose, and for
remote control programming. The Value display will show values according to the selected
mode in the Mode display. You may use the Mode button to toggle between the different
mode settings in the Mode display.
The degausser operates with 3 different values in the Mode display: Gauss, Ampere and Volt.
The following matrix will guide you through the different options in the Mode display:
Considerations
The Ontrack Eraser Degausser is designed to erase hard drives and tapes. The following are
some considerations when erasing modern hard drives and tapes.
There are two important things to consider when erasing modern drives with a degausser.
The first is the so-called coercivity of the media used in the drive, and the second is the
design and geometry of the drive.
Some combinations of coercivity and design/geometry are harder to erase than others.
Typically combinations with high coercivity media, many platters, and large form factors
are hard to erase. Furthermore, the media coercivity is one parameter which drive
manufacturers constantly increase to get higher storage capacity.
Maintenance
The Ontrack Eraser Degausser is designed to require only a minimum of maintenance, and
the degausser has a built in diagnostics system to ensure that the required magnetic field
strength is always produced. If the diagnostics procedures detect a problem, it will show so
on the front panel indicators.
In case the degausser needs service, please contact your nearest Kroll Ontrack office. Do not
perform the service by yourself. If doing so, you will void the warranty.
Although no user calibration is required, the calibration of the diagnostics system should be
checked every 2 years.This can be done using a standard gauss meter.
Safety issues
The degausser will produce a very strong field in a limited area. However, there will always
be some leakage of the field outside the focus area, which may influence the surroundings.
For anyone not comfortable with exposure to magnetic fields, we recommend to use
the remote control. Since the Degausser produces a DC field, it exerts force on magnetic
materials and it may accelerate metal objects. Therefore, the degausser must not be
operated when there are small loose objects lying in the erase area. Also never operate the
degausser while holding metal objects in your hands close to the erase area.
It’s recommended to unload the capacitors before transporting or servicing the degausser.
Push Mode button until the display indicates Test mode. Hold the Mode button until Test
starts to flash. Start one erase cycle by pushing the Operat button to unload the capacitors.
Turn off the power.

14 15
Contact and Legal Information
Notice to Users
Ontrack Eraser Degausser is a hardware product that has been developed by Kroll Ontrack.
Use of the hardware is governed by the terms and conditions of the end user license
agreement distributed with the product.
This manual should not be construed as any representation or warranty with respect to the
hardware named herein. Occasionally, changes or variations exist in the hardware that is not
reflected in the manual.
Generally, if such changes or variations are known to exist and affect the product significantly,
a release note will accompany the User Guide, or will be available on the Ontrack Eraser
Degausser site. In that event, please read the release notes before using the product.
Trademarks
Ontrack Eraser Degausser and other Kroll Ontrack brand and product names referred to herein
are trademarks or registered trademarks of Kroll Ontrack Inc., and/or its parent, in the United
States and/or other countries. All other brand and product names are trademarks of their
respective holders.
Copyrights
Copyright © 2010 Kroll Ontrack Inc. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval
system, or translated into a language or computer language, in any form by any means,
electronic, mechanical, optical, chemical, manual or otherwise, without the express written
consent of Kroll Ontrack Inc.
U.S. Contact Information
Kroll Ontrack Inc.
9023 Columbine Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Free Telephone: [phone]
Telephone: [phone]
Web: www.ontrackeraser.com
Software Sales
Free Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Technical Support
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Web: www.ontrackeraser.com/support
Open: 8:00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. M-F CST
International Contact Information
Canada
Canada
155 Gordon Baker Road Suite 100
Toronto, Ontario M2H 2N7
Canada
Web: www.ontrackeraser.ca
Software Sales
Free Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Technical Support
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Web: www.ontrackeraser.ca/support
United Kingdom
Kroll Ontrack
The Pavilions, 1 Weston Road
Kiln Lane, Epsom
Surrey, KT17 1JG
United Kingdom
Web: www.ontrackeraser.co.uk
Software Sales
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Technical Support
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Ireland
Kroll Ontrack
Marsh House
25-28 Adelaide Road
Dublin 2
Ireland
Web: www.ontrackeraser.ie
Software Sales
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Technical Support
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Australia
28 Donkin Street, Suite #8
West End, QLD 4101
Australia
Web: www.ontrackeraser.com.au
Software Sales
Free Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Technical Support
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Web: www.ontrackeraser.com.au/support
France
2, impasse de la Noisette
97371 Verrières-le-Buisson Cedex 413
France
Web: www.ontrackeraser.fr
Software Sales
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Technical Support
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Web: www.ontrackeraser.fr/support
Germany
Kroll Ontrack GmbH
Hanns-Klemm-Strasse 5
71034 Böblingen
Germany
Web: www.ontrack.de/datenloeschung/
Software Sales
Telephone: [phone] / 644-123
E-mail: [e-mail]
Technical Support
Telephone: [phone] / 644-244
E-mail: [e-mail]
Web: www.ontrack.de

16 17
Austria
Zweigniederlassung Österreich
Landstraßer Hauptstraße 71/2
1030 Wien
Aiústria
Web: www.ontrack.at/daten-loeschen/
Software Sales
Telephone: [phone] / 644-123
E-mail: [e-mail]
Technical Support
Telephone: [phone] / 644-244
E-mail: [e-mail]
Web: www.ontrack.at
Switzerland
Kroll Ontrack S.a.g.l.
Piazza Boffalora, 4
P.O.Box 191
6830 Chiasso 3 Boffalora
Web: www.datenrettung.ch/daten-loeschen/
Software Sales
Telephone: [phone] / 644-123
E-mail: [e-mail]
Technical Support
Telephone: [phone] / 644-244
E-mail: [e-mail]
Web: www.datenrettung.ch
Spain
Kroll Ontrack
Calle Anabel Segura 7, 1ª Planta,
Oficina B, 28108 Alcobendas
Madrid
Spain
Web: www.ontrackeraser.es
Software Sales
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Technical Support
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
International Contact Information
Italy
Kroll Ontrack Srl
Via Lario, 1
22070 Fenegrò (CO)
Italy
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Web: www.ontrackeraser.it
Software Sales
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Technical Support (English)
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Belgium
Kroll Ontrack België
Regus Pegasus Park
Pegasuslaan 5
1831 Diegem
Software Sales
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Norway
Ibas Norge
Postboks 1250
Arkoveien 14
2206 Kongsvinger
Norway
Web: www.ibas.no
Software Sales
Free Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: erasur[email protected]
Technical Support
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.ibas.no/support
Sweden
Ibas AB
Märstagatan 4
753 23 Uppsala
Sweden
Web: www.ibas.se
Software Sales
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: erasur[email protected]
Web: www.ibas.se
Technical Support
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.ibas.no/support
Poland
Kroll Ontrack sp. z o.o.
Ul. Jana III Sobieskiego 11
40-082 Katowice
Poland
Web: www.ontrackeraser.pl
Denmark
Ibas Danmark
Teknikerbyen 25
2830 Virum
Denmark
Web: www.ibas.dk
Software Sales
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: erasur[email protected]
Technical Support
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.ibas.no/support
Finland
Norman Ibas Oy
Läkkisepäntie 11
00620 Helsinki
Finland
Web: www.ibas.fi
Software Sales
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: ibas@norman-ibas.fi
Technical Support
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.ibas.no/support
The Netherlands
Kroll Ontrack Netherlands
Holland Office Center
Kruisweg 825c
2132 NG Hoofddorp
Nederland
Web: www.krollontrack.nl
Software Sales
Tel. [phone]
Tel. +31 (0)23 - 56 73 030
Fax +31 (0)23 - 56 73 031
E-mail: [e-mail]
Technical Support
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.ibas.no/support

18 19
Appendix A:
The matrix gives an overview of the error codes you can get displayed in the display.
These codes can be used in con-junction with the technical support team.
Degausser is not
in Ready mode
Remote control
programming Test only Service
Measure
unit
Test
mode
Kgauss Off On Off On
Amp Off Off On On
Volt On On On On
Measure function
Peak
[I Lo] Low power to
the coil - reset error
and try again
[Lo Bat] Remote
control power - In-
sert new battery in
remote control
Operate button
is active
[Stop] Power stop
signal (maxi-
mum reached)
Center
[IULo] Low power
abovethe coil - reset
error andtry again
[Status] Remote
control program-
ming
Next button is
active
[Iok] Current
status from peak
detector
Charge [Field] Power in the
coil (fatal)
[Reset] Error on the
card (fatal)
Lock is in
locked position
[Uok] Current
status from cur-
rent sampler
Current [Charge] Capacitors
are loading
[Stop Cap 1] Instant
light - capacitor 1
defect possibility
n/a n/a
Coil [Lock] Degausser is
locked
[Stop Cap 2] Instant
light - capacitor 2
defect possibility
Coil tempera-
ture is above 50
degree C.
[Retrig] Inside
strapp set - test-
mode Burnin
Source
[Cap 1 Temp]
Capacitor 1 is to hot
- cooling
[Stop Cap 3] n/a
Capacitor 1
is above 36
degree C.
[FanCrtl] Inside
strapp set - fan
starts at 36
degree C.
Cap 1
[Cap 2 Temp]
Capacitor 2 is to hot
- cooling
[Stop Cap 4] n/a Remote Operate
button is active
[FixPW] Inside
strapp set - cy-
clepulse is set to
250 ms.
Cap 2 [Coil Temp] Coil is
to hot - cooling [Istop Cap 4] n/a Remote Mode button is active
[Test] Inside
strapp set
Test On On On Test only
Function for Operate Reset Error n/a Light test n/a
When in Hold mode
Press Mode button
until all lights starts
blinking
Unload capacitors Remote control
programming Light test n/a
Appendix B:
To program or add new remote controls perform the following steps:
(Learning a New Transmitter Encoder)
Press and hold the ‘Mode’ button for 5-6 seconds until ‘Test’, ‘Kgauss’ and ‘Volt’ indicators
turns on.
1. Briefly press the ‘Operate’ button
2. Center/[Status] lamp will illuminate.
3. Depress the transmitter once, Center/[Status] lamp will extinguish.
4. Depress the transmitter again, Center/[Status] lamp will ash. (Approx 10seck).
5. Wait for Center/[Status] lamp to stop ashing.
6. This transmitter will now operate the system.
Erasing the Memory
Push the ‘Mode’ button until ‘Test’, ‘Kgauss’ and ‘Volt’ indicators turns on.
Press and hold ‘Operate’ button for 10 seconds. Release ‘Operate’ button and Center/[Status]
lamp flashes while the module erases its memory.