How do you clear out any personal data on an old laptop?

Question

I dont have the old windows 98 or 2000 cd so I just wanted to remove any trace of old files and data on the laptop before I send it to recycling.

I could use a few tips how to reformat the drive. I cant download anything on this machine because the nic is acting up.

Answer 1

I agree with the other post. the best way to be sure that there is no personal data on the pc is to reformat. www.bootdisk.com is a good place to get a disk that will do this, or get gparted boot disk which is very easy to use.

alternatively, if you dont want to go to the trouble of a software option, just take the disk out and either whack it with a hammer or drill a hole in it 8o)

Answer 2

nicely, theres some the form to pass by way of this. The quickest, and least confusing, may be to format the hard drive, and reinstall the OS (employing the two a classic abode windows/Linux installation CD, or the fix CDs that got here with the pc) that should do the trick. (additionally you're in a position to get carry of and burn The gadget fix disks for that paticular pc consistent with who made it) any other way is slightly time ingesting, yet you will possibly could pass by way of and manually delete each and all the archives you dont prefer to take place. because i'm no longer able to work out the itemizing shape of your pc, Its secure to assert, something that isnt interior the c:abode windows, C:software archives is secure to be deleted. additionally till now doing something, uninstall any courses from the upload/eliminate courses interior the administration panel which would be considerable to eliminate (ie paintings appropriate stuff) additionally the different debts on the gadget (if its abode windows 2000/XP) could be deleted execpt for the administrator. additionally pass by way of C:software archives and delete any folder that doesnt seem to in good condition with what desires to be there or could of been left at the back of from upload/eliminate. And dont overlook to empty the recycle bin while your achieved =)

Answer 3

Remove the hard drive. recycle the Laptop. For ten bucks you can buy an adapter that lets you use the hard drive in a desktop computer and you can use it as a spare. If it's too small to want to keep, the only way to guarantee removal is to physically destroy it. Hammer or drill as the other poster said.

Answer 4

you could take the harddrive out and first destroy it, then throw it out if you don't want it anymore. or you could keep it.

or there's a program out there that can completely wipe your harddrive. Here it is: www.dban.sourceforge.net. Follow the instructions.

Turn off your computer, go into bios, by pressing F-something at the first sight of anything on the screen, and change the startup to the CD or whatevery you choose

REMEMBER TO BACK UP ALL YOUR DATA THAT YOU WANT TO KEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 5

http://dban.sourceforge.net/

download that and run it....will clean everything off including the operating system. is very similar to a reformat but does a better job if you ask me

Answer 6

reformat the hard drive :)