2007-03-28 04:15:06 · 18 answers · asked by stevie 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
You may need to completely reinstall windows, if you decide not to CCleaner is another alternative. CCleaner is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. But the best part is that it's fast (normally taking less than a second to run) and contains NO Spyware or Adware.
2007-03-28 04:17:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The best way to prepare a computer to sell is to completely wipe the hard drive. Then re-format it and re-install Windows. Anything less and you risk giving away personal information.
Wiping a hard drive is different than deleting data or re-formatting.
A hard drive contains a file allocation table. A map of all the data contained on the drive.
When you delete a file, Its file allocation table entry is all that is deleted and the drive space is set as free space, the data remains on the drive until it is overwritten by new data
When you re-format a drive, all you do is clear the contents of the file allocation table, all of the data on the drive actually remains.
With deleting or re-formatting, anyone proficcient with a disk editor can recover data from a hard drive. The safest thing to do is to wipe the drive.
When I wipe a drive, I set my program to do a DoD wipe with 3 passes. The first pass writes zeros to all spaces on the hard drive. The seconf pass writes random charactors to all spaces on the hard drive. The final pass writes zeros to all spaces on the hard drive.
Never say never, but there are very few people skilled enough to recover data from a hard drive that has been erased this way.
I use Darik's Boot And Nuke (DBAN). This is a free,easy to use program. Jusk be certain that you saved everything on the drive before you erase it. You can get DBAN by following the link below.
2007-03-28 04:36:32 · answer #2 · answered by Mad Jack 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Besides removing all your personal data manually & uninstalling any software you don't want to leave on it there is no way to wipe every trace of previous usage without fromatting the had drive & thus effectively removing XP as well.
System files from previous program installations will always be left in the Windows directory & more consequentially in the registry file.
regards,
Philip T
2007-03-28 04:20:39 · answer #3 · answered by Philip T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just reformat/reinstall xp if you have the disk. Otherwise uninstall everything else and manually search through if you need to be thorough. Right click your start button and press explore to see everything on your computer.
Hit the start button, run, type in "regedit" and scour those listings for anything you don't want left behind.
I'm assuming this is to get rid of personal, or naughty things. :)
2007-03-28 04:20:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could reinstall windows xp, this will format the hard drive and leave just a clean xp install on it.
2007-03-28 04:18:37 · answer #5 · answered by alanholmes2000 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as you have your recovery CD, put the CD in the your CD-ROM drive and reformat and recover. This will wipe everything on off of your hard drive and put windows xp back on as if it was a new computer.
2007-03-28 04:17:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try a file shredder, just reformatting isn't enough. Your personal info can be recovered with software you can get off the internet.
If you have the recovery disc shred the whole hard drive and re-install. Your security is more important than putting the os back on for the next owner!
http://www.sys-shield.com - AbsoluteShield File Shredder
2007-03-28 05:08:43 · answer #7 · answered by sarah c 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can use wipedrive, i googled for it. this will erase your hard drive, windows of course will be gone, but if you don't have a windows CD (you should have received one with your computer) just go to the windows website and get recovery CD sent to you, then erase your drive using wipedrive and you can sell the computer with the windows CD and they can install it, or you can install it again for the buyer. hope this helps
2007-03-28 04:22:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Reinstall the Os and Format the system on the installation process it will wipe the disk clean ...clearing the data files one by one is just too clumsy
2007-03-28 04:26:51 · answer #9 · answered by sekiki2004 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Delete all programs and folders not pertaining to Windows and place them, via download onto a disk or disks.
2007-03-28 04:19:05 · answer #10 · answered by Ted 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋