Cleaning out an old computer

13 years ago

Guess I gotta bite the bullet and get a new desktop. What I would like to know is-is there a way I can clear out the old one so that whatever is in there can't be found by anyone else? Besides running over it with a truck I don't know how to do this. I'm wondering if there is a CD I need to buy to clear it out or what. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. BTW keep it simple--you know---like my mind. LOL

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Comments (8)

genes
13 years ago
Take out the harddrive and sell it or give it away that way...the person who buys it is responsible for having his own Operating system and he/she can purchase a hard drive to go with it..you can possibly still use the harddrive you removed as a backup on the new one
DA_Mccoy
13 years ago
I am not a total fan of KK as she at times tends to be a little cavalier with her answers. However, this same question was in her newspaper column today.

DA

Here is a link that might be useful: Kim Komando
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ravencajun Zone 8b TX
13 years ago
I agree with the info on Kim Komando and have often recommended the use of DBAN
Darik's Boot And Nuke

If you choose to keep the OS you can or if you use DBAN you can then just reinstall the clean OS with nothing else on it.
User
13 years ago
You can download and install Linux ... then give the computer to someone who needs it.

It does a decent job of wiping out Windows and installing a fresh OS. It wouldn't be good enough for the NSA or a forensic expert, but it doesn't leave lots of crap lying around either.
mike_kaiser_gw
13 years ago
What I would like to know is-is there a way I can clear out the old one so that whatever is in there can't be found by anyone else?

We really need to ask who is "anyone" and what kind of information they could possibly recover. Are we talking about classified materials that might be used by enemy government? If so, you need to physically destroy the drive.

Otherwise, something like Boot and Nuke works just fine. Understand that it destroys ALL the data on the drive including the operating system. If you have the original disc, then you can reinstall Windows or just give it to the new user.
joe_mn
13 years ago
format the drive. reload windows. fun easy task. i do it every other year or so. you might be surprised how nice your unit runs when finished. might even consider keeping it. winxp practically does it for you. put in cd and follow prompts.
kudzu9
13 years ago
I agree that formatting the drive and reloading the OS can make the computer run better, but it is not an effective way to destroy all the old data and prevent recovery.
albert_135 　 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
13 years ago
Some geeks babbling on a general discussion forum said that the hard drive should have a rather fascinating magnet that is quite difficult to remove. I check the local senior center thrift store daily for a cheap hard drive as I am have been fascinated with magnets since about 1942 (Or so I was told by my elders that the fascination started about then.)

Cleaning out an old computer

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genes

DA_Mccoy

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