How can I wipe my computer before selling it?

Answer 1

You can get programs that will erase the majority. But the only sure fire way is to physically destroy the hard drive with a hammer, these programs don't erase everything 100% !! :)

Answer 2

If you are truly worried that someone will try to recover data on your hard drive, then remove the hard drive and replace it with a new drive. Then physically destroy the old drive. It sounds crazy but it's the only way.

I am not a professional data recovery expert but I can buy a legal program for around $30 that will recover just about anything off any kind of media such as hard drives, external hard drives, USB drives, USB pen drives and any camera memory card. Even if they have been formatted many times.

I have made it my task to find a way to permanently delete data and I have been successful with removable media using a combination of Format within Explorer and Norton's Wipe Info - Government Level Wipe. I repeat the Government Wipe at least 5 times, then follow with a Format again. At the moment, it seems quite permanent.

It is lengthy for large drives so that's why I suggest you replace the drive and smash the original.

Answer 3

If you have Windows XP, then there is a way to delete everything except the files that came on the computer when you bought it, so there is no trace of your files when you're done. Here's how you do it:

Start up your computer and when a screen with the brand or logo of the computer comes up, press and hold F10. Next, click "Advanced Options", then "System Recovery Quick Format". When it's done, it will do the same thing as the day you bought it. It will be new again.

Answer 4

Best bet is to do like the majority are saying....

Swap out your hard drive with a new one. But this can be costly as far as $(money)$ goes. Unless...**

How valuable is your personal information? How computer savvy are you?

XP wouldn't let me boot and fdisk it. I had to to boot into setup* and delete the partition, then reformat it.

No matter how many times you format/delete the partition there is always some trace.

Good news is most people do not care to bother trying to retrieve this due to the fact it can take a good part of a day to run the retrieval program, if it doesn't crash!

A cobalt magnet should do the trick too. Have any friends who work at a store where they have to degauss the magnetic security strips? Try using that on the hard drive...

But you run the risk of damaging the drive heads!


*Most PC's have the ability to boot to CD as a defualt setting.

Insert your XP cd into your CD/DVD rom.

(If the CD auto loads, exit and restart your PC)

Bios will load, as soon as this starts to happen keep rapidly pressing the spacebar until Windows setup loads, or Windows loads.

If windows loads instead of setup, restart the PC.

Try to enter bios setup (useully "delete" "esc" or "F1" key. It should say.

You should have a boot options tab, make sure the cd-rom windows is in is set-up to boot to cd.



**You keep the drive, add in the price of getting a cheap new Hard drive, and smile.... one less person knows your passwords, bank account info, etc.

Below is a better DIY(Do It Yourself) guide

Answer 5

this is a common question laura,and the naswer is split into 2 answers
the first and cheapest is to format the drive and leave reinstall windows xp(or any other) and this should be fine for the next owner,the easiest way to format your drive is to use a ms-dos disk(go to http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm)and using the dos command c:\format c: this will format your hard drive,you will be asked if you wish to continue,just answer yes
the second is to re-install windows xp and use the set up to format your hard drive,just follow the onscreen prompts and during windows xp set up you will get the option to create,delete and format partiitons,this is by far the easiest way to format your hard drive
may i give you a bit of advice before selling your p.c..follow these few tips
1. install anti-virus and anti-spyware software on the fresh copy of windows,this will give the buyer a positive impression of you and will save them having to install any security software when they first go online,download a free version such as avast or avg,and spybot,adaware personal and windows defender
2.if possible also install works,office(even a older version)and adobe reader
3.buy some cheap games(you can buy p.c games for £1 from the many bargain pound shops in the local shopping centers),throw 3 of these in with the p.c and this will make the purchase ideal for kids and will make the p.c look like a package
4depending on the price you wish to sell it for,why not throw in a printer,again you can buy these for around £20(http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/6702302/Trail/C%24cip%3D50277.Office%2C%2BPC%2Band%2Bphones%3EC%24cip%3D50324.Printers%3EC%24cip%3D50328.Inkjet%2Bprinters.htm)and you can add £30 to the asking price and it will still sell because it has a printer,this printer also comes with a cartridge which is a bonus
5.make sure you know everything about the p.c so when the buyer asks a question you can quickly answer,making them realise that you know what you are talking about
good luck laura!

Answer 6

In reality the only method you have is to remove the old hard drive and purchase a new one but, be aware that your Internet Service Provider has a record of every single site you visit. At present this information is kept between 2-3 years although, this is currently being investigated bt the European Commission

Answer 7

attempt this :- Press at the same time shop tapping the keys at the same time on start up together as 'sort' is exhibiting - you will get a 'humming' sound and then your or the 'equipment restoration internet site' persist with all classes. Takes approximately 15-20mins to restoration to 'new' each thing would be long previous. a individual with professional pc knowlege could desire to nonetheless discover what you have had on there as its nonetheless on the HD - however the guy your advertising too isn't bothered approximately doing all that - its to no longer basic for a classic individual to do.

Answer 8

data recovery software can recover data even after a format or a re-install. You can do a low-level format which will write a series of 0's to the drive and remove everything - or you can just buy a new drive.

Answer 9

"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."

"DBAN is a means of ensuring due diligence in computer recycling, a way of preventing identity theft if you want to sell a computer, and a good way to totally clean a Microsoft Windows installation of viruses and spyware. DBAN prevents or thoroughly hinders all known techniques of hard disk forensic analysis."

Free at:
http://dban.sourceforge.net/

Answer 10

I would go with the majority of the answers given here and replace the hard drive to absolutely sure of not passing on any data..