I'd like to see if I can wipe it without resorting to IT specialists.
2007-03-17 00:00:12 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
Yes, you can. I would strongly advise having the operating system install disk handy when you do. The easy way is to put the OS install disk in the optical drive and reboot. You may have to go into the BIOS settings and enable booting from the DVD/CD drive.
Once you get into the install, there will come a screen that asks you to manage the primary partition. You can choose to DROP it. This is where you wipe it. DROP THE PARTITION. You can re-create it easily. As a matter of fact, that's the next step.
Once the partition has been dropped you are going to be prompted to create a new one. Create it at whatever size you want. This gives you a new chance to create more than one partition.
After you have re-created the partition, format it. Now, you can continue to install the operating system. When done, you have wiped everything that was there initially.
2007-03-17 00:09:30 · answer #1 · answered by Kokopelli 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your laptop came with a manual, I would suggest consulting it before taking any action. Your laptop most likely came with a CD Rom entitled 'System Restore' or something similar, which you can boot from to format your hard drive through the Windows XP Installer. Make sure you print off a good deal of information before doing this, as it's not particularly user friendly!
N.B: Before formatting make sure you backup all important material on your hard drive and have an operating system to install afterwards, as 'wiping' the drive will erase everything on it. I can't stress this enough. If you're unsure, pop into your local friendly computer repair shop and ask their advice.
Hope that helps,
Simon H
2007-03-17 00:07:05 · answer #2 · answered by Simon H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. There are several programs out there to do just that. Norton and McAfee both have utilities for that. And I know there are many others. Go to your local software store, Best Buy, CompUSA. Look in the utilities section. Better yet, ask someone there.
It is very wise of you to wipe your drive.
2007-03-17 00:07:15 · answer #3 · answered by wallyB 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can overwrite it, with just any random info and make sure it gets filled to the maximum. Then just format it again. You could even overwrite it again just to be sure. If anyone tries to restore anything, it will only be the last info that was on there. Or I heard you can use a really big magnet. If you are throwing it away, but just want to make sure nobody accesses your files, just stab a screwdriver or icepick through it.
2007-03-17 00:12:54 · answer #4 · answered by clone17 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
check it out carefully ^
i. back-up all data files
ii. make sure you have 'restore disk' from manufacturer
iii. familiarise yourself with installs, boot from cd, enter bios ...format, file system,.. all mentioned in link ^
though i suggest that a desktop is a better place for target practice ... less of proprietary stuff
if laptop is a sony vaio > suggest 'abort' ... max. amount of proprietary stuff & applications
2007-03-17 01:05:59 · answer #5 · answered by sεαη 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only partially, the naughty stuff can always be retrieved, the only sure way is to physically destroy the hard drive.
2007-03-17 00:09:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
buy micro-fiber cloth to wipe your hardware parts.
2007-03-17 00:05:23 · answer #7 · answered by ProxyP56434 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes read here
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313348
2007-03-17 00:08:15 · answer #8 · answered by janne5011 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋