Easy way to clear all files on computer. help
Re format the hard drive if you still have the OS install CD. This will entirely erase the hard drive, EVERYTHING, and then you can reinstall windows and activate it. I think its called formatting, can someone chime in on the correct term for this?
Right. Reformat your C: drive or whichever has all the data but ONLY if you still have the OS CD.
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Tx
Re-format and re-install the operating system. Please guys do this when you get rid of any computer. Deleting does not get rid of anything, it only scrambles the information. There are plenty of free programs online that will search a hard drive for any deleted items and piece them back together. I especially tell all of my friends, especially women friends, that if they are taking pictures of themselves in a "private" way to re-format the memory card or just don't let anyone borrow the memory card. With the size of memory cards these days, there is pleny of room to store the deleted images. These deleted images can then be found and restored with free simple software found online.
You must re-format. There is no other simple way to completely remove your confidential information.
You must re-format. There is no other simple way to completely remove your confidential information.
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even if you reformat... its still there... but if you are just selling it, just take the OS disk, and pop it in, and then delete the partition that has windows on it, will proly be labled the C: drive. then reinstall windows. all this is capable through the OS XP disk. only thing is when you do this, you will loose all of your drivers. you will need to get onto the internet first, and find ALL of the drivers for your make and model, and save then on a disk/flash drive. then when the OS install is complete, install all of the drivers... main ones will be video card, sound, and the network card(NIC Card)...
this should help if you need ne info just PM me... or ask in this thread
this should help if you need ne info just PM me... or ask in this thread
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Launching!
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: Richardson, TX
If you're really scared that someone is going to get your information you can do an extended format. This will set everything back to 0 but takes quite a bit longer. If you're still not satisfied just buy a new harddrive.
. I especially tell all of my friends, especially women friends, that if they are taking pictures of themselves in a "private" way to re-format the memory card or just don't let anyone borrow the memory card.
if you have/had sensative info on your computer and you are really that worried abotu it getting out then keep or destroy the hard drive.
There are easier ways to wipe only what you want. Delete everything you want gone, clear the recycle bin, then download a free program called shredder. Shred the free space with the extended algorithm option. The data won't be retrievable.
11 Second Club
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena, Texas
+1, you MUST shred to get rid of everything.
if you want to get rid of the info permanently then you need aftermarket software. i use acronis drive cleanser, it is what the dod uses on their ****. it fills the drive with bullshit data 5 times over. there is no way someone will be able to retrieve any info after it runs.
11 Second Club
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena, Texas
You may want to read this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_drive_shredder
yeah do a system recovery using the systems discs, or if your lucky most laptops have recovery partitions that you just need to hold down a button on startup and the process will begin and take you to the out-of-the-box state.
what laptop do you have?
hp=f11
dell=cntr+f11
emachines=f11 most of the time
gateways=f10 or f11 depending on models
what laptop do you have?
hp=f11
dell=cntr+f11
emachines=f11 most of the time
gateways=f10 or f11 depending on models
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
reformat c. interrupt the reformat 2 times before it finishes and restart it. then go through and "shred" it. if someone wants the data, they will be able to reconstruct it.
best solution? take out the hard drive and install a new one. it will only cost 50 bucks. Keep the old one incase you need the data or wipe it with a magnet and smash it with a sledge hammer. thats the only way to be safe, especially if you have sensitive data.
china and russia buy up massivve bulk of old electronics on the premis of "recycling". they will reconstruct what data they can, rape it for what it's worth, then recylcle the gold, copper, mercury ect. pretty crafty business.
best solution? take out the hard drive and install a new one. it will only cost 50 bucks. Keep the old one incase you need the data or wipe it with a magnet and smash it with a sledge hammer. thats the only way to be safe, especially if you have sensitive data.
china and russia buy up massivve bulk of old electronics on the premis of "recycling". they will reconstruct what data they can, rape it for what it's worth, then recylcle the gold, copper, mercury ect. pretty crafty business.
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Friendswood
