Formatting Hard Drive

Keanosafc

Hi I'm selling my desktop pc, as we need the space and recently bought a laptop.

I therefore am looking for some sort of programme that can format/scrub the hard drive clean before I reinstall windows xp and sell it on.

I know windows xp has a formatting option when you install/reinstall, but I would feel happier if I used some other programme to clean a bit deeper.

In todays day and age of identity theft, I would prefer not to sell my desktop but unfortunately we have no choice, I am also aware that people, if they want can access deleted data, but I want to make that job a little more difficult.

I'm sure there will be freeware programmes which do the job adequately, could anyone advise please.

Thanks.

isofa

DBAN - from http://dban.sourceforge.net

isofa

Or you could keep the hard disk, physically destroy it and buy a new inexpensive one to replace it in the machine to sell.

jje_2

http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/

will do a deep clean.

jje

-TangleFoot-

isofa wrote: »

DBAN - from http://dban.sourceforge.net

Alternatively there's the Ultimate Boot CD, which includes DBAN anyway along with many other useful utilities.

TonyLisaP

Remove HDD from machine and spank it with a hammer, then take it to a breakers yard and get them to put it on the huge, car picking up, magnet, then bury it 12 feet deep in an unspecified location. Lets be really paranoid!

jje_2

TonyLisaP wrote: »

Remove HDD from machine and spank it with a hammer, then take it to a breakers yard and get them to put it on the huge, car picking up, magnet, then bury it 12 feet deep in an unspecified location. Lets be really paranoid!

Only to find that the Data is still recoverable .

jje

robt_2

It always makes me wonder exactly what people have on their home computer hard drives which makes them so paranoid

superscaper

robt wrote: »

It always makes me wonder exactly what people have on their home computer hard drives which makes them so paranoid

Ermmm, bank details?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4790293.stm

robt_2

superscaper wrote: »

Ermmm, bank details?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4790293.stm

I know *why*, but personally I don't know anyone who actually keeps their bank details stored on their PC.

It was only said in jest

Keanosafc

Thanks to those of you who took the time to give sensible answers.