decrypt first or just secure erase it?

[digityzed]

I'm repurposing a computer that has sensitive data so I need to secure erase it. The hard drive is encrypted by TrueCrypt. I started decrypting it, but TrueCrypt is saying it's going to take 4 hours. I'm impatient. Can I skip decrypting and just secure erase it or is decrypting necessary?

P.S. - I don't want the drive encrypted in it's next iteration.

 

[i7Baby]

Just secure erase it.

 

[digityzed]

Just secure erase it.

so secure erase will automatically get rid of the encryption stuff?

 

[i7Baby]

Yes. Then re-format it to make sure - belt and braces.

 

[digityzed]

Yes. Then re-format it to make sure - belt and braces.

great. thanks!