encryting hard drive - How?

Panther_Black

I've just sold my laptop and want to ensure that it is secure before I post it. As well as restoring factory settings/deleting programmes, I believe that I have to 'encrypt the hard drive' to delete any remaining personal details on the hard drive - is that correct?

If so - what programme do i need to purchase or what is the method to do this? I subscribe to 'One Care' - can this programme help me at all?

Cheers

sharkie

Encryption is used to make your dive info inaccessible if it is stolen.

What you want to google is dban or erazer (eraser?) they both are free

Panther_Black

I run vista basic - thanks for info - guess I just download it once I delete all programmes and restore factory settings?

\thanks

-TangleFoot-

If you use DBAN it will erase everything, including the restore partition used to reset the machine to its original state. Your laptop would have nothing on it. You could install something like Ubuntu on it afterwards, but I doubt the laptop's new owner would appreciate that.

The best you can do without access to physical installation media is as follows:

1. Restore the laptop's factory settings
2. Download and install Eraser
3. Use Eraser to erase unused disk space.

If you like, you can then repeat the factory reset, leaving the file system in near-pristine condition.

Panther_Black

glad you let me know - don't want to ruin laptop for new buyer - just ensure no personal info left on it.

Cheers - I'll do as you say tomorrow morning