How do I clear out my laptop before selling it?

sunni

flexrider wrote: »

you could just try a clean install of windows if you have the disk to do so,

Can't find the disc, my OS is Windows XP pro, my friend has the XP home disc which is no good apparently.

sunni

woodbine wrote: »

ccleaner can be set to overwrite free space 35 times

Now I'm getting confused as which to use lol

flexrider

sunni try this out,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DELL-XP-PRO-SP3-FACTORY-RESTORE-RECOVERY-CD-NEW_W0QQitemZ190370780850QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_Software_Software_SR?hash=item2c52fb96b2

might help

nick-mob

The best and easiest solution is to download an OEM copy of Windows XP Pro, then do a re-install using your original product key. After that, download File Shredder (free software) and wipe the free disk space. A 2 pass is fine nowadays. Anything more than 1 pass actually requires seriously expensive hardware to recover from anyway.

enigma52

too many cooks, so I'm having the day off.

enigma52

woodbine wrote: »

ccleaner can be set to overwrite free space 35 times

actually it can't. It will delete files and clean at same time but won't wipe 35 times after they have been deleted.

an extract from ccleaner

1. In CCleaner, click the Options icon at left, and then click the Settings button.
2. Do one of the following:

• Select Normal file deletion (Faster) to delete files more quickly, but less securely.
• Select Secure file deletion (Slower) to delete files more securely, but much more slowly.

CCleaner has four methods of secure deletion: a Simple Overwrite (1 pass), DOD 5220.22-M (3 passes), NSA (7 passes), and Gutmann (35 passes). A 'pass' refers to how many times CCleaner writes over the spot on the hard drive. The more times CCleaner writes to that spot, the harder the file will be to recover by any means. The drawback is that it will take CCleaner longer to complete the job.
Note: CCleaner can only securely delete files which have not yet been deleted from the Recycle Bin.

donkingkong

Try this: http://dban.org/download

Darik's Boot and Nuke ("DBAN") is a self-contained boot disk 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.

DBAN is a free software product that can be used at home or in a business at zero cost.

S0litaire

donkingkong wrote: »

Try this: http://dban.org/download

I second using "Boot'n'Nuke".

jitters

DBAN, DBAN, DBAN...'nuff said.

bat999

People who suggest DBAN in this thread either can't read or just don't understand the question.
:cool: