calling all erazer heads

[Kerouac]

I am selling my computer and want to make sure it is clear of personal files (so they cannot be recovered). I have had tax and business designs - in word, pdf and jpeg. I am selling with software intact so want to leave that as is.

I would really appreciate any advice on how to clear this pc up or links to any recommended erazer programs - the free-er' the better :-)

[Oneeyedvic]

If I were you, I would quite simple reformat the hard drive, get a powerful magnet and wipe it over the drive, then get a big hammer and smash it into pieces. Take all the individual pieces, drive your car around the county and drop them into various bins (obviously making sure that noone is following you)

Then go to dabs or similar and buy a 80GB Hardrive for �32.00 http://www.dabs.com/uk/channels/hardware/storage/productView.htm?quicklinx=3L2K

Hey, it might not be the best/largest drive in the world, but you are about to sell the pc, so who cares.....

Guarantee that noone will ever get that data then.

[Ralph]

What Oneeyedvic suggests is the best way to ensure data destruction. In fact I recall reading that the NSA in the states also takes the precaution of shooting holes in the disk platters at close range before disposal.

However, it looks like you want to leave all the programs on there and just wipe the free space. A google search for "wipe free space" turned up http://www.thefreecountry.com/security/securedelete.shtm l
which looks like it has what you need. Never tried them myself though, I prefer to shoot my old disks.

[Kerouac]

thank you both for the advice - much appreciated!

I will give it a shot (not literally!) :-)

[darcydark]

The only to erase all data is to totally trash hard drive and burn it, honest.