how to clear a computer

[chelsea25]

I have recently bought a laptop, and am now selling my desktop pc,

is there an easy way of clearing everything off, apart from windows, so it turns on just like when i bought it?

Thanks in advance : )

[rojash]

Not really. The best option would be to use a disk wiper (especially if you have ever stored confidential or potentially embarrasing stuff on it), and then do a clean install.

[rojash]

ps You can get a disk wiper here:

http://www.disk-wiper.com/eshop.htm

[snook]

If you still have the Windows installation disks (or can get hold of some), you could just reformat the hard disk (which wipes it completely, as far as I understand it) and then reinstall Windows. The reformat is fairly quick and straightforward and installing Windows only takes perhaps an hour, so it's quick and it'll cost you nothing.

[rojash]

The difference beteen formatting and disk wiping, is that it's possible (not easy, but possible) to recover info from a hard disk after a format, but not after disk wiping.

[tomd]

Isn't that only the case for a quick format, whereas a full format will wipe the disk completely?

[oldbob]

I agree that it would be too hard and time consuming to remove your personal data from the hard drive by deleteing each individual file/folder. A disk wiper as mentioned above, would certainly wipe all data from your hard drive but at 29.95 it is not cheap. I also consider it to be totally unnecessary unless you have top secret high security data on your computer. If you do have such top secret material on your computer, I suggest you remove the hard drive and incinerate it. For those of us who do not have to worry about top secret data being recovered from the hard drive I suggest the drive be re-partitioned (Fdisk - delete all partitions etc.,create new partition) and re-install the operating system. The installation process will require you to format the disk before installation commences. If you do this, it would require a IT genius with real powerful software to recover any data from the hard drive. Persons with these atributes would be few and far between and most likely be employed by the CIA or Mi6.

[rojash]

Tomd, data can be recovered from a hard disk that has been fully formatted - as I said, it's not easy but it can be done.

[theren_911]

rojash - unless one is a paedo or has Top secret stuff there's really no need for extreme measures is there?

[LeMarchand]

Whilst it's unlikely that a potential buyer might run a data recovery program, it may be possible to retrieve (say) credit card data or enough information to aid in identity theft.

I think http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/download.php is still a free download (though donations are accepted!). The version I have was free and performs a DoD wipe.

[jos1]

I have a spare hard disk with corrupted Windows XP and am happy to completely lose everything on it. I tried the Microsoft official cd which I own to reformat but my disc does not show any way I can ask for a reformat. So do I buy a program or take it to my local shop although I prefer to do it muself.