Clear hard drive before recycling

nellietheel

I have a Dell Dimension 3000 PC, with flat panel monitor and speakers. I somehow managed to get it infected with the VIRUT virus and since I know next to zilch about computers, I bought myself a laptop.

The PC has been laying idle for about a year now and I know enough not to just to take it to our local council waste centre, as there will be lots of stuff on the hard drive.

I would like to donate it to charity or pass on to someone, but is there a way to clear the hard drive that will remove all my data and get rid of the virus?

Or do I just take a sledge hammer to it?!

I have the discs that came with the PC but can't see any with Windows on.

Any advice much appreciated, thanks.

RussJK

Are you in the Sheffield area?

Anyone trying to recover your files would have a nasty surprise waiting if they tried... would serve them right.

The failsafe method would be to take it out, and destroy it

Otherwise something like Darik's Boot and Nuke might do the job:
http://www.dban.org/

Toxteth_OGrady

There was a long thread on this day before yesterday. Hopefully answers your question.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3316956

nellietheel

Thank you both - will read over the links you included in your replies.