Wiping a PC..

mark_steps

Hi guys, i just got a new PC so what i have decided to do is give the old pc to my brother. Now i have tonnes of music videos and work stuff on it but a simple delete does not clear it i have been told. How would i go about clearing the full pc for him?

Also would you recommend a reformat of the pc? If so what are the steps i should take? (Using Windows XP)

Thanks

x

intel

Put the restore CD the disc drive and then restart PC and boot
from disk and then follow onscreen instructions, what Make of PC is it as some dell's have a different method to this, also make sure that the PC is set to boot from CDrom in the BIOS (most PCs Boot from the CD in the BIOS anyway) so you might not have to check that.

If you have no Restore CD you could have a tricky time ahead.

mark_steps

The PC im giving aint a dell, but i got the boot up disks that i used when i had to reinstall once before, eill that clear all my junk out of the pc then?

intel

Yeah it will clear out the junk as long as you choose Format (not quick format)
however if taken to a PC guy who has the correct programs some data can be recovered, but this is quite far fetched for the average person to do.

So yes it will be ok for re-sale/freebie to a friend.

ffym

If you just want to clear it to make space then a simple reformat re-install will do the trick. If there is data on there that you want destroyed completely so that it can't be recovered then you will have to delete the files, Write over the space with something else (anything) then reformat and reinstall. There is plenty of software available that will "scrub" files out for you.

mark_steps

I dont understand fully. I have deleted music videos, so now i download more in their place then that should be it?

Also how do i check they have been removed? Would this do. Once fully up n running again after reinstallation search for say STEPS music videos and none should appear. If one does, ive done it wrong??

intel

Just restore the PC as above mentioned you are confusing yourself over nothing as a restore will ask if you want to do a format say yes and that will erase the PCs Hard Drive just before a reinstall.

chodges84

Mark, the average person would not be able to find any files after a format and then reinstall.

I consider myself a computer wizz, nd I tried on mine but to no avail.

Don't worry you're 'Music' Videos will be gone

(just kiddin )

pchelpman

The advice in this thread so far, good though it is, mainly talks around low level formatting. To erase a hard drive completely you will need something like this.....

http://www.linux-kurser.dk/secure_harddisk_eraser.html


....it will obliterate all data from recovery even by the experts.

intel

pchelpman wrote:

The advice in this thread so far, good though it is, mainly talks around low level formatting. To erase a hard drive completely you will need something like this.....

http://www.linux-kurser.dk/secure_harddisk_eraser.html


....it will obliterate all data from recovery even by the experts.

But as this PC is being passed on there is no use for that program here
as niether is D-Ban from the UBCD

But for total HDD obliteration take out said HDD and smash with a hammer.

A Money Saving Way.

charlieheard

If you've nothing at all to hide (as you're on XP), you could just setup a new user as an administrator and then delete the old user's directory in the "Documents and Settings" folder.

If your brother is PC-literate and you've stuff you really don't want him to see, the easiest way is to reformat the disk, then reinstall. However, computer whizz-kids could still recover data from the disk, but it would be really hard work.

If you have sensitive/illegal data that you really don't want anyone to see, you can get a product like Eraser, which overwrites the unused disk space on your PC with random data. You can even set it to do several passes. This will delete and secure your data against all but boffins at MI5, CIA, etc. I know some law firms use this method.

However, assuming you're not a spy and don't have anything criminal on your PC, just setup a new user, delete your directory and a couple of weeks use will get rid of most traces.