As the title says. How do I format the hard drive when I don't have the original XP disc? I'm looking to sell my old PC and don't want to leave anything on it.

Open My Computer, and right click on your Hard Drive, and click Format.
I think there is some specific software to do this, because even though you've formatted it, data can still be retrieved with a little "know how".

Some softwares keep overwriting the Hard Drive with blank data (if that makes sense) to make retrieving previous data near enough impossible.

Couldn't you just buy a cheap "new" Hard Drive to put in the PC, and smash your old one up? Much safer. :)

There's a choice of secure disk wiping tools on the Ultimate Boot CD (http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/)

Download Window Washer from www.webroot.com

Install (30 day trial) then go to the utilities section to create a Disk eraser floppy. Boot from it and choose the method of wiping.

ask the Hallamshire to do an MRI scan of your hard disk. That should take care of it completely.

As the title says. How do I format the hard drive when I don't have the original XP disc? I'm looking to sell my old PC and don't want to leave anything on it.

but bear in mind not many people would want a PC with no operating system on it at all, they would have to have an XP disk to reinstall!

Delete everything you don't want people to see and defrag and use a free space eraser. I have an ultimate boot cd if you want one give Medusa a shout and I am sure she will drop it off for you.

xircon sorry buts thats bad advice. Dont tell people "just delete stuff you don't want people to see" and sell with the operating system intact. You would be surprised whats left behind. You can't just delete stuff through windows and think your safe.


Your best bet is probably, the Ultimate boot CD and running one of the hard drive "zero write" programs. You can also get those programs from the hard drive manufacturers websites.

win98 boot disk if you have a floppy drive. fdisk it.

I allways use Darik's Boot and Nuke ('DBAN') (http://www.download.com/Darik-s-Boot-and-Nuke/3000-2092_4-10151762.html) it works from a boot floppy.

xircon sorry buts thats bad advice. Dont tell people "just delete stuff you don't want people to see" and sell with the operating system intact. You would be surprised whats left behind. You can't just delete stuff through windows and think your safe.


Your best bet is probably, the Ultimate boot CD and running one of the hard drive "zero write" programs. You can also get those programs from the hard drive manufacturers websites.

Fair enough, never thought about it like that.

Thanks for all your advice. I'll try some of them out. I'm selling it through a dealer who assures me that he will blow all the data away but I did want to try and do it first.

I'll see how I get on.

Thanks all.

still reckon itll be better with a cheapo 2nd hand hd in it if your that worried and just keep the drive or smash it

I allways use Darik's Boot and Nuke ('DBAN') (http://www.download.com/Darik-s-Boot-and-Nuke/3000-2092_4-10151762.html) it works from a boot floppy.

I think you can download a version that runs from a USB stick too