i am selling my pc and want to delete everything on it, i have not got anything bad on it i just got loads of music and photos on it. so how can i delete everything?

also i am gettin a laptop to replace my pc (space issues) i want to use my laptop upstairs but my broadband is downstairs what do i need to get it upstair?

thanks

Just reinstall every thing using a windows disk?

for example if u have xp reinstall using xp disk and choose to install a fresh copy. when u do this anything previusly on ur pc will get wiped off.

Originally posted by moon
Just reinstall every thing using a windows disk?

for example if u have xp reinstall using xp disk and choose to install a fresh copy. when u do this anything previusly on ur pc will get wiped off.

That's not 'quite' 100% true moon ;)

Anyone with a free file recovery program will be able to find most, if not all the old files on the hard drive. I did this less than two weeks ago after a backup disk failed on me after a re-install of XP. I found everything using a free file recovery program. Bookmarks, programs, pictures......Everything!

The only sure way of removing the data IMO is to remove the Hard Drive and smash it to bits, then incinerate it.

OTT? Maybe......Depends on how much you want to keep your data secret ;)

Most people find that using fdisk is sufficient though.

all i have to say to that is

lol

Originally posted by vidster
The [b]only sure way of removing the data IMO is to remove the Hard Drive and smash it to bits, then incinerate it.

OTT? Maybe......Depends on how much you want to keep your data secret ;)
[B]
I was going to suggest that, it's the only sure way of destroying all the data.
Originally posted by vidster
[B]Most people find that using fdisk is sufficient though.[B]
Somewhat cheaper than a new hard drive too!

there is nowt sevret on it and i think its going to a friend its more just clearing it all so he has got a fresh start.. thanks everyone:thumbsup:

Originally posted by vidster
That's not 'quite' 100% true moon ;)

Anyone with a free file recovery program will be able to find most, if not all the old files on the hard drive. I did this less than two weeks ago after a backup disk failed on me after a re-install of XP. I found everything using a free file recovery program. Bookmarks, programs, pictures......Everything!

The only sure way of removing the data IMO is to remove the Hard Drive and smash it to bits, then incinerate it.

OTT? Maybe......Depends on how much you want to keep your data secret ;)

Most people find that using fdisk is sufficient though.
Going back to my MS Dos days if you deleted a file or program it only removed the extension, exe,tif, or whatever,then when you installed a new file, the computer saw no exstenion so it would write over it thus totally erasing it, so if i am right then you reinstall windows then defrag, other than that format, reinstall, or have things changed that much

go to www.webroot.com and down a free trial of their Window Washer.

It comes with a utility called Webroot System Eraser that creates a boot floppy disk to, and I quote, "securely bleach an entire hard drive".

There's plenty of free file 'shredders' about that use a variety of techniques to get rid of what's on your hard drive - usually by writing over the same space about 10 times. It stops someone using a file recovery utility to get them back. As pointed out though the only real way to make sure is to physically smash up the hard drive :)

Originally posted by vidster
That's not 'quite' 100% true moon ;)

Anyone with a free file recovery program will be able to find most, if not all the old files on the hard drive. I did this less than two weeks ago after a backup disk failed on me after a re-install of XP. I found everything using a free file recovery program. Bookmarks, programs, pictures......Everything!


Including your temporary internet files ;)

Originally posted by savbaby
i am selling my pc and want to delete everything on it, i have not got anything bad on it i just got loads of music and photos on it. so how can i delete everything?

also i am gettin a laptop to replace my pc (space issues) i want to use my laptop upstairs but my broadband is downstairs what do i need to get it upstair?

thanks Create a boot disk, then resqtart your PC, slot it in, go through the options. Once in MS DOS, you'll end up in A:\ type format c:
"ARE YOU SURE THIS WILL KILL ALL HUMANS ON EARTH Y/N"
type Y and enter.
Then wait... And wait... And wait...

This procedure has been overlooked by a lot of people when they get used to XP (SHAME ON YOU) but it's by far the easiest way of doing it.

PS: If you're in a hurry you can type format c: /q for a quick one ;)

use bcwipe or necrofile to completely wipe the hard drive to mod standard

cos when you delete something / format it doesnt actually disappear forever, it just gets all the shortcuts, links to the file deleted and then it hangs around on your drive till its over written, which could be a while, in the meantime somebody with the right recovery software "could" find it.
bc wipe and necrofile and the like cover the files up with a few passes of zeros. so all youd find with the recovery software would be zeros, not the file.


you can find necrofile here http://www.necrocosm.com/nfinfo.html

Swap the HDD and keep hold of it. If you want rid of the data, heat at about 3000 degrees and then smash it to pieces :)

Originally posted by GazB
Swap the HDD and keep hold of it. If you want rid of the data, heat at about 3000 degrees and then smash it to pieces :)

its a tad easier to wipe i think :)

Originally posted by GazB
Swap the HDD and keep hold of it. If you want rid of the data, heat at about 3000 degrees and then smash it to pieces :)

i have nothing really to get rid of it just if i am sellin it i would rather it a clean hard drive so the new user does not ahve to trawl through my files. thanks everyone for the advice:clap:

Originally posted by savbaby
i have nothing really to get rid of it just if i am sellin it i would rather it a clean hard drive so the new user does not ahve to trawl through my files. thanks everyone for the advice:clap:

if theres nothing personal or dodgy on it, do captain scarletts boot disc / format c: then

Originally posted by melthebell
its a tad easier to wipe i think :) But less fun !

As mentioned in some previous posts there are free programs that completley erease data, so much in fact that it is to US Government satisfaction :D , it's also quite quick and goes into the right-click menu of the mouse so easily accessed. It also adds an option to 'erase recycle bin', which is useful. it's called Eraser (http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/download.php) and is a small download too. No problems whatsoever!