I'm selling my computer and I would like to know the best program to use to erase my personal details?

Question

I know just deleting the files and formatting my computer still does not get rid of my personal data.
What do you sugest?

Answer 1

I use a DOS program called ZAP and then after format the harddrive. If you e-mail me privately, I'll send you my disk I've made, you can also use this to make a CD version. It kills the main boot and partition tables and then I format the drive, so near impossible to recover.

To be even more thorough, you want a program that writes 0 over the hd a couple of times, but I think ZAP is sufficient. Most have trouble with Windows XP installations, let alone know how to recover data. I'm good and I can't.

Finally reinstall Windows XP with the licence found on its case. You will usually need the relevant OEM CD if you do that though.

...and see: rlh242424 below.
Whilst data is possible to be recovered with simple wipes or formats, the majority of people cannot. If you use a program to write over the HD a couple of times and use ZAP, it would be near impossible. Do a search for it. I use it with a Windows Me bootdisk I've converted to boot from CD.

If you ever throw a harddrive away, play tennis with it, bang it, drop it out of windows, and screwdriver into it. This is what I have done before. It is also good fun, especially if it's pissed you off because it's gone faulty.

Answer 2

A free file eraser is called Eraser Secure Removal Tool by Heidi Computers Ltd

I don't have the URL, so check it out on Yahoo search.

Use CAUTION. You must use some judgment when you permanently erase files and data to make sure you do not delete essential files and disable the computer.

Answer 3

If you are selling your computer, thoroughly clean your hard drive. Deleting files and reformatting is not enough. Reformatting does not overwrite every sector, and private information can remain retrievable. Use a secure delete or disk wiping utility to overwrite every sector on all hard drives. Be sure to use a utility that supports the U.S. DoD standard of seven passes or wipes. While this method is good enough for most people, be aware that the only absolute way of destroying all traces of everything your hard drives is to have these disks degaussed (demagnetized) and physically destroyed.

Suggested: BCWipe, Evidence Eliminator, or SDelete.

Answer 4

there's a application referred to as ERASER attainable on magazine hide disks and doubtless on line. It has the choice to construct a NUKE boot disk that thoroughly shreds all information on the disc to US branch of Defence standards or extra appropriate. then you definately can set up a virgin reproduction of the working device and application. OR in case you're specific you be attentive to the place all the sleek information is you may selectively wipe information and leave the device intact. notice if any information is left it relatively is not the workstation consumer who might discover it, however the hacker who gets in whilst the risk-free practices isn't as much as date.

Answer 5

This will make a boot floppy that will totally erase all the data by overwriting it 20 times, using a specific pattern. Its free for home use, but used by businessess as well.
http://www.sys-shield.com - AbsoluteShield File Shredder

You're not over reacting; your banking etc data can be recovered from a formatted hard drive using free software you can download off the net.

Answer 6

Delete and format 10 times, then restore Windows. Unless you are an international operative or a wanted felon, no one will go through the time and expense to recover data buried that deep.

If you want to go deeper than that, magnetize and destroy the drive and replace it. That's the only real way to make data unrecoverable.

Hope this helps.

Answer 7

A format should be sufficient. One way or another you need to wipe your drive clean and install a new OS.

For practical purposes you aren't going to need to erase it using DoD standards. Heck, most times DoD doesn't need those standards because they go much further for their more sensitive material.

Once you format and install the average person isn't going to know how to recover it. Your above average person probably wouldn't bother.

Answer 8

Buy a cheap hard drive and change the one in your machine, that's the only way to keep your private data out of others hands.

Answer 9

Remove your hard drive and replace it with a new/cheap hard drive. That is the only sure way of not putting your info in someone elses hands.

Answer 10

The best way is to remove the hard drive.
It's easily done - only a few screws and the box slips out.