How can I fully wipe a HD?

[bitsbytesandboolean]

The REAL way to get ride of data requires three easy steps:
1. Stand in one leg.
2. Pour garlic powder on you hard drive
3. Repeat "nooodatanoomore, nooodatanomore"

4. (optional) spin around while reciting number 3.

Wallah, that's how it's done. No hammers, magnets, formatting etc.

See, wasn't that easy?

 

[levicki]

There is a program called BCWipe.
It performs DoD erasure of a drive but it takes ages since it has seven passes.
Another thing I would do is low level format by using utility provided by a drive manufacturer (maxtor = powermax, wdc = dlgdiag, etc). For anyone trying any recovery at home without special equipment just doing lowlevel format is good enough.