This is a dv5000 series HP laptop and I'm selling it after using for a year and so. I want to DELETE everything for good as I don't want the person I'm selling it will try to recover data. I'm concerned to use the "seagate zero fill" utility as I'm afraid it'll delete something useful for my laptop to be recognized by the restore cd, because I've experienced similar problems in the past. What should I do to simply recover my actual and old (already deleted by windows) data in a safe way? I have to do it this night. Thank you very much for any useful information you'll provide me.
2007-09-03 08:51:19 · 8 answers · asked by Б℮ﻛŦ└ΩΩρ 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
The only sure way is to completely reformat the hard drive and reload the system. Other than the FBI it would be impractical to recover anything.
I have a file shredder program that writes over each shredded file 3 times with random digits. The problem with that is you must select files to be processes or have it do all unused space. There is no telling what is hidden in system files such as the registry.
2007-09-03 08:57:53 · answer #1 · answered by Barkley Hound 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are going to sell it, boot your restore CD and pick the "format" option. It will reformat your drive and put it back together like the way it was when you bought it.
If you are worried about the buyer scrounging files off the unused (reformatted) sectors, Use Darik's Boot and Nuke software before you run the restore CD. That wil take time to do it right, though.
2007-09-03 09:00:37 · answer #2 · answered by Computer Guy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To recover an already deleted files in windows, use FileScavenger software. However, if you have written new files to your hd then not all deleted files will recover because the new files will overwritten the deleted files sector.
If you want to delete safely, use the shredder program. I use TuneUp shredder from TuneUp Utilities 2007 (www.tuneup.de). However, it's a 30-day trial program if you don't buy it.
2007-09-03 08:57:35 · answer #3 · answered by JaRoLLz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Download Window Washer (30 day free trial). Delete as normal all the files you want to get rid of then run Window Washer. It will overwrite all space with random sequence of character. Warning - you will not be able to restore any files you have deleted after running this application.
2007-09-03 08:58:49 · answer #4 · answered by Who Dares Wins 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you format the hard drive, make sure you have the recovery CD, as long as you have that, format it, even the zero fill, after its done, turn the computer on, go to the BIOS and change the boot sequence to CD-ROM, open up the drive and pop the CD in, after that, restart teh comp, it should boot up from the CD so you install it strait from the CD, ive never used the zero fill, but my teacher said thats the best way to clear everything
2007-09-03 08:59:12 · answer #5 · answered by Pat H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if you're using HP or Compaq notebooks, you could actually use recovery cds or DVDs. It would restore the whole computer to factory default. Another way is to do a system restore to the first day you got it.
2007-09-03 08:57:56 · answer #6 · answered by icey2cute 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have 2 options to do 1 - Keep your HDD and install it in your new PC or laptop. Buy a new one and install instead. 2- Create a dummy file of pictures that have heavy MBs and recreate by copy and paste and fill out the entire HD then delete. do this twice and delete. if anyone tries to snoop in yr HD he will find that dummy file only
2016-04-03 01:34:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
format ur hard drive
that will do that.
2007-09-03 08:54:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋