I want to dispose of an old desktop computer. before i do that i want to make sure that all the data stored in

Question

it is deleted. how do i do that? I'm not able to format my hard disk for some reason. is there any other way. Also i want to uninstall the win xp OS, how do i do that

Answer 1

Eraser is free
http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/

How do I Erase my entire hard drive(s) on my PC?
Eraser uses the 'Darik's Boot and Nuke' disk option to erase all your hard drives.
To use this option:
1. Place a floppy (or CD) in your a: drive.
2. Click on the Start button and then choose Programs->Eraser->Create Boot Nuke Disk.
3. Ensure 'Writing on Floppy' is ticked. Tick 'Formatting' if your floppy needs to be formatted.
4. Click OK. Result: Your Boot Nuke Disk has now been created.
5. Boot up your PC with the floppy still remaining in your a: drive.
Remember: If you wish to erase the Hard Disk of another PC, then bring this Floppy to the PC, insert it into the a: drive and Boot it up.
Also, if you need to if you need to boot from CD (because you don't have a floppy drive) then you will have to set your PC to boot from CD within the BIOS of the PC.

Result: All drives will now be erased (including the Operating System)
IMPORTANT: USE WITH EXTREME CAUTION
For a summary:
'Darik's Boot and Nuke' ("DBAN") is a self-contained boot floppy that securely wipes the hard disks of most computers. DBAN will automatically and completely delete the contents of any hard disk that it can detect, which makes it an appropriate utility for bulk or emergency data destruction.'

Answer 2

The one sure way is to removed the hard drive from the machine. Then you can use hard drive degausser to remove the data. Or a strong magnet will work as well.
Another way is to removed the hard drive and take the hard drive apart. Then you will have to destroy the platters. Most drives have at least two platters. The platters look like cd's.

Answer 3

If you want to securely erase everything on the hard drive, go to dban.sourceforge.net to download "Darik's Boot and Nuke", burn it to a CD, then boot the old computer from the CD and type "autonuke". WARNING: This will delete everything on any hard drives connected to the computer, so make sure you don't have anything connected that you don't want wiped. It'll take a long time because it uses DOD standards for secure data destruction.

Answer 4

nah mate not necessary u have if ur Hard disk is seagate company's u have an utility to Format it ...........Format it (in the sense u have an option to bring it back to initial state..i.e the way it was when u first bought it) Brand new...so go get it..........or if ur hard disk aint of seagate make oh well u will have to buy some third party formatting tools like Partition magic

Answer 5

When you delete something from you computer the index is simply removed. The actual file is still there and will always be untill you over-write it.

You'll need to remove your hard drvive and physically smash it to bits with a hammer.

Answer 6

If you're scrapping the PC, you should physically damage the hard disk beyond repair using a hammer or something like that.

If the computer's going to be used by someone else, run this program on it to erase stuff http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/

Answer 7

None of the data you deleted on your hard disk is actually deleted from your hard disk.... you can always bring back those data...

So wot i recemend you to do is download system mechanics 7.0 trial version and install it on your old computer. then run your computer and use system mechanics options to completely wipe out the data on your hard disk...

this program uses the military system do delete the data..

Answer 8

You need to remove the hard disc and smash it up with a hammer.


This is the only way to FULLY erase a hard disc. Even if you put it in a fire and burn it, it is possible to recover some data.

Answer 9

placed it on Freecycle. connect your interior sight crew, make up an e mail declaring "furnish: defective computing device". And relax guaranteed a lot of hobbyists will be in contact to take it off your palms. solid for the ambience, and someone includes your door to %. it up (no holiday to the top mandatory) :) can not say fairer than that.

Answer 10

Most harddrive mfg's have free utilities you can download, and are used for formatting their drives...otherwise there are many on the internet under google...