A PC Question for a dummy...?

Question

I am selling my PC and want to know the best way to get rid of all my old data without tearing everything down. Does anyone have simple tips of the steps I should take to get rid of cookies, old files, documents, and pics. Thanks!

Answer 1

The only easy secure way it to buy a software program that deletes the data then overwrites it with null values over and over again. This means the data in your computer is erased and then the tracks are stomped over. I believe Norton System Works may have something. Simply reformatting your hard drive will not do it.

If you want to do it the hard way: First, delete only the info you want gone. Then, find some large files of junk and copy them repeatedly until your hard drive is full. Delete the copy's, find some different large files, and repeat. By deleting the "personal information" first, you'll make sure when you are copying you'll over write the space on the hard drive. I would copy the files about 4 or 5 times to make sure.

The big question is what do you really have on your old computer that is such a big deal? If you don't have full financials with social security number and pictures with height, weight and measurements what can someone really do? Sure as some of the respondents have said above the FBI might be able to recover the data, but would they really try? 99% of all of the people you might sell an used computer to would not try to reconstruct which web sites you went to. If you were able to remove the hard drive and replace it you probably would not be asking this question in the first place. Relax, there are bigger targets out there than you.

Answer 2

Heh, ok. No matter what you do to your hard drive, there will be some way to recover the data. Even if you format it completely, someone could access your information. There was a big thing about this on the news a few years ago. The only thing you can do is smash your hard drive. However, I'd just take it out, and maybe use it in my next computer. Sell your computer without a hard drive.

Answer 3

The reason why some deleted stuff gets saved in an old hard disk is because when WIndows deletes as file, it doesn't erase it from the hard drive- it just labels the file's memory locations as "free" space, and thus can be used to store other files.

Download some free software that'll permanently wipe all the data from your hard disk, even those that are stored in "free" memory space. Wipe it clean using the software, then reformat.

Answer 4

I'd get a program like Wipe Drive and run that. It will overwrite your hard drive to DOD standards, and wipe everything off it. I am sure that there is other similar software around, but we use Wipe Drive here. It works great. Whoever buys your machine will have to reinstall the OS.

The other choice is to remove the hard drive altogether, as another poster has suggested.

Answer 5

go to my documents, highlight all the documents / folders and hit the delete button on the keyboard. click yes when you asked to confirm then go to your trash can and highlight and delete. all your folders and documents will be deleted.

if you have files and folders stored on other drives like your C drive which you need to delete go to my documents, click on the drop down menu (a downward facing arrow ) and click on the drive - C drive, right click and delete on the folders you have stored, DO NOT DELETE ANY PROGRAM FOLDERS AND WINDOWS FOLDERS.

if you want to delete programs that you installed BESIDES YOUR OPERATING SYSTEM E.G. WINDOWS XP then do the following. click on the start menu, click on control panel, add/remove programs, click on the program you wish to delete and hit the change or remove button.

after following the above instructions go to the trash can and empty it. anyone that buys your pc will not be concerned with what you had on your pc but rather with what they can use it for. dont stress, if you are not sure about a folder or file then DO NOT DELETE IT.

Answer 6

To get rid of cookies, open your web browser.....go into tools then options.......you will see the button for clearing all temporary internet files and then one for cookies.....you can also go into content, then auto complete, to clear all the data from previous info you typed in. Go into your folder called My Documents or whatever you have named it and do control-A, then delete. go into your My Pictures folder and do the same. Remember to empty the trash also.

Answer 7

Best is to reinstall your windows and make sure you reformat the hard drive in that process. Windows install usually gives you that option when you reboot the PC with the Windows CD or Backup CD the PC came with in the CD drive.

Answer 8

your info will be on the hard drive forever and ever

the fbi can get anything off a hard drive, no matter how old it is how many times overwritten, ect

best thing to do is smash hard drive with a hammer

Answer 9

i agree with Not Me. keep your disk and repaclace it with a new one. go to target and pick up 60 gig for under 100 bux. I know nothing is ever erased from your disk until u smash it, or shoot it with a high power rifle, as i choose to do.
hope thats helps.
Alan

Answer 10

I would remove your hard drive and replace it with one from the store. They are really cheap and the feeling of security knowing your information is safe with you is immeasureable.