I got a NEW computer and I want to donate the OLD one. The only problem is I dont know how to get rid of my personal info. Can someone please help me?
2007-03-31 02:41:24 · 10 answers · asked by venividivici :) 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
Only way to be completely safe is to buy a new hard drive and remove the old one and destroy it with a sledgehammer. Next best choice is to download Darik's Boot and Nuke from dban.sourceforge.net and burn it to a CD, then boot the old computer from the CD and choose 'autonuke'. This will DESTROY ANY DATA ON ANY HARD DRIVES IT FINDS, so make sure you don't have anything connected you don't want wiped. There are a few computer forensics super-experts who might recover something from it, but it's good enough for DoD Secret documents. In either case, you'll need a system restore CD to reinstall the OS and drivers afterwards.
2007-03-31 02:55:44 · answer #1 · answered by Fix My PC Mike 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could format the hard drive, but this will remove the operating system. I suppose you could reload Ubuntu Linux onto it (which is like Windows, but faster and free). If you're donating the computer to charity, they will most likely want to install their own operating system anyway, so check here for information on how to format your drive:
http://www.microsoft.com/australia/smallbusiness/issues/technology/protect/harddrive.mspx
If your computer was purchased from a shop, it might have a restore partition. Search for your computer's make and model, and see if you can find any info on restoring the operating system and installed programs from scratch.
Alternatively, go through the drive and remove your browser history, anything in the Documents and Settings folder that isn't required for operation, any and all caches and whatever else you can wipe without the computer keeling over.
2007-03-31 02:51:30 · answer #2 · answered by Caveman Joe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way to do this is to use a Window 98 floppy (just search on Google for that image). Put the floppy in your old box and boot up. Type "fdisk" and go through the menus to format your disk. Then if you want to be extra cautious you could reinstall a "vanilla" copy of windows or linux to completely erase your data.
2007-03-31 02:46:55 · answer #3 · answered by blue2monday 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You cant always be sure that the information will be totally erased to the point were it cant be recovered by a professional. You need to think what is on your hard drive, if you have ever had bank details etc on it then I would remove the hard drive altogether and donate it to be safe, if there is nothing on there that would be a hazard to your personal life then I wouldnt worry.
2007-03-31 02:47:34 · answer #4 · answered by nc_hull 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
receive dban from ideal right here link and set up on a CD or floppy. Run on the pc to be donated. caution: dban will obliterate ALL records on the frustrating stress. transferring issues into the Recycle Bin and emptying that's going to in problem-free words delete the guidelines to the archives. records remains there and could be retrieved with disk upkeep equipment.
2016-10-17 22:25:57 · answer #5 · answered by michale 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends what personal details you want to get rid of. If its the history of web sites you are visiting: 1.Open Internet explorer. 2. Click on tools on the right top corner. 3. Click internet options. 4. Click on clear Internet history.
2007-03-31 02:46:38 · answer #6 · answered by Death 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Reformat the hard drive.
From the command line type "format c: /s"
That command will erase everything off the hard drive, you then need to reinstall windows.
2007-03-31 02:46:11 · answer #7 · answered by Fester Frump 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the best way to clear is non other than formatting the hard disk
2007-03-31 02:47:18 · answer #8 · answered by Z H O O M !!! N 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Format it
2007-03-31 02:44:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
format it you can do this with you windows xp cd
2007-03-31 03:51:18 · answer #10 · answered by simonjohnlaw 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋