Erasing Hard Drive without video

My video card failed (or so Apple told me), and so I can no longer see what's happening with my iBook. Since I'd like to get rid of it or donate it, is there a way to securely erase the hard drive without being able to see the screen? I've found instructions for erasing, but they require you to select from onscreen choices. Thanks.

Hi, Jason. Welcome to Apple Discussions.
Do you have access to another Mac with FireWire? If so, you may be able to get the iBook to remain responsive in FireWire Target Disk Mode so you can erase the hard drive by this method:
If the iBook is on, shut it down and wait 30 seconds (or longer). Pick it up in your left palm to the left of the trackpad and squeeze the case there between your palm and left thumb as you push the power button and key combination to start up in FireWire Target Disk Mode. Do not let up the pressure on the case. Continue applying this pressure as you erase your drive from the other Mac. If you let up and the iBook dies or freezes, you will have to start over, allowing it to rest several hours or overnight before beginning again.
If at first you don't succeed, allow the iBook to sit overnight, and try again. It is more apt to start up after a long rest.
Let us know how things go.

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edited

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Hi All
I just bought a new external hard drive and am using Disk Utility to erase and format it. I did not know for sure if erasing the hard drive was the right thing to do. Anyway I set up the Volume as follows from the mac help instructions:
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Not solved with Blinking Folder with Question Mark after Erasing Hard Drive

Before asking, I found someone had asked exact the same question, but that was actually an unsolved thread.
Re: Blinking Folder with Question Mark after Erasing Hard Drive to try to restore to Factory Settings
Level 1(0 points)sdc3gJul 5, 2013 6:24 PM Re: Blinking Folder with Question Mark after Erasing Hard Drive to try to restore to Factory Settings
Re: Blinking Folder with Question Mark after Erasing Hard Drive to try to restore to Factory Settings
in response to Niel
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Erasing Hard Drive without video

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