I have an old computer. It is now no longer in use because the telephone line in that house has been disconnected. I was wondering....is is possible to deprogramme everything that is on there in order that I can sell it..is it indeed necessary? Would it have to be the old telephone number that would be needed in order to deprogramme it?

To answer your questions, yes and yes. Do a search, this topic has come up quite often before.

de program, do you mean remove things that have been installed?

what would the telephone number, or indeed the telephone have to do with it? :confused:

If that phone number is long-gone then I am scuppered, right?

you dont need access to that specific number to uninstall/deprogram/remove any settings/programs from your computer.

if by deprogram you mean uninstall goto Start >s ettings > control panel > add remove programs.

if you want to delete your internet connection icon, start > settings > control panel > network settings (delete all connections related)

Thanks..want to sell that old computer (if I can) and so need to get rid of everything on it. Thanks for your help!

This thread made me laugh! I'm glad you are happy Fragonard as the responses don't seem to have any relation to the question you asked, but atleast you got what you where looking for :D

As above, I'm confused. :confused:

Anyway, if you have the original installation disks I'd do a reformat and re-install of a fresh new OS. I'd never sell a computer after just un-installing a few things.

stick in a start up floppy, start computer (as long as in the bios its set to boot from floppy) type a: / then type format c:

that formats windows and everything else off

Originally posted by melthebell
stick in a start up floppy, start computer (as long as in the bios its set to boot from floppy) type a: / then type format c:

that formats windows and everything else off

not really leaving it in a state to sell it, nor safely removing any data if you actually have concerns about whats on there.

Originally posted by Cyclone
not really leaving it in a state to sell it, nor safely removing any data if you actually have concerns about whats on there.

i would think a plain format would be good enough for the job here without the need to do low levels or rewrites though.

unless the guys an accountant or something.

A lot of PC's are sold on E-bay with no OS or anything on them. Infact thats probably the best way unless you are going to supply the licence too.

Originally posted by Cyclone
not really leaving it in a state to sell it, nor safely removing any data if you actually have concerns about whats on there.

personally id rather have one without anything on, means i can put my own stuff on straight away, i normally wipe em when i get em given anyway, set em up how i want then without having to wade through crap

you could use a zerofiller or something like bcwipe to wipe em to MOD standard then instead, to completely make the data unrecoverable

If you're wanting to sell it you want to Format the hard drive - if you want to ensure no one can retrieve any data you need to performa deep level sweep of the system. A FULL format, not a quick format. If you want help doing it PM me and we might come to some agreement - I'm Woodhouse Sheffield. Offers there anyway.

Originally posted by nick2
A lot of PC's are sold on E-bay with no OS or anything on them. Infact thats probably the best way unless you are going to supply the licence too.

I bought a tower from eBay, and was quite glad that all the original programs had been left on (minus personal data, obv).
I'll about to sell one myself and am leaving Office etc on, plus guitar tuition software, tab and loadsa music. Even more of a bargain for whoever buys it :thumbsup:

Originally posted by SilentStatic
I bought a tower from eBay, and was quite glad that all the original programs had been left on (minus personal data, obv).
I'll about to sell one myself and am leaving Office etc on, plus guitar tuition software, tab and loadsa music. Even more of a bargain for whoever buys it :thumbsup:

I know people do leave stuff on the PC when they sell it, but technically you're not supposed to unless you also supply the licences for that stuff, especially Microsoft stuff.