Resolved Clean Hard Drive

I have a Dell Inspiron 1545 with Vista 32. I am returning it to Dell in and want to clean out all of my info. I already have it backed up and saved to an external hard drive What is the easiest way I can erase the hard drive? Remember very simple for someone who hasn't done this befotr.
All Help appreciated.

Dee

 

Thanks for your response but as usual I am confused. I don't understand where to go to click F 11. I have clicked everywhere and it hasn't worked.

Dee

 

I had to use the Vista directions from the Dell support. Everything went smooth until I logged back in and I cannot find restore to factory settings. I have no idea where to look for this.

 

Easy way

Hi Dee, I use Wipe drive. All I do is insert the disk, I might have to restart the computer, then I click on the next indicated action. If I remember it sells for $39.95 at Best Buy. But Acronis True Image also has a wiping feature and from time to time I use it (also sold at Best Buy). Hope this helps.

Markala

 

Thanks Markala for suggestions, I may have to use something like that. This is so simple if only I could only find that one function and click and it's done. May have to call Dell to find it.

 

Did I misunderstand?

Deester, I'm beginning to think I misunderstood. The software I am talking about wipes it clean so even experts cannot find your information. Is this what you want to do? Or do you simply want to delete the partition so that the only thing in your computer is DOS? If this is what you want please let me know because it's also a very simple operation.

 

I want all my info removed and it returned to factory settings before I return it. I downloaded Erase but it was more involved than I wanted.

 

Steve. the F11 does not work on my machine, F2 for setup and F12 for boot both work. These come up immediately after you turn it on. I didn't know what I was looking for so I didn't know if I can find it in either one of those. Will you clarify what I'm doing.

Thanks,
Dee

 

Click Here to open a Dell support page with complete instructions on restoring an Inspiron back to factory settings.

 

Steve, I'm sorry you saw the need for sarcasm but I had already told boni that F11 did not work and I thought you may have come up with something different.
Miz, I have followed those instructions but I cannot find factory setting image after I log back in. I may need to do something else after the login, the directions do not instruct me to do so.

thank you both for your help,
Dee

 

Yes I am hitting the control key and I'm getting an alarm.
Is my English ok? Steve, you may forget how much smarter you are than the person asking for help. What you write is very simple to you but to the reader is not simple at all. I admire you guys who have this much knowledge and that's the reason I come here for help. I have had very times someone couldn't me solve my problem with patience. Be grateful for your knowledge, thank you for your help. Truce

Dee

 

Did you solve the problem yet

Hi Deester, did you solve your problem yet? If not, the easiest and SAFEST way is to go to Best Buy and buy Wipe Drive. If I remember it sells for $40. Please let me know, thank you.

 

As I stated previously,this computer had to be returned to Dell and I had a deadline to meet. I finally called Dell and explained my situation and the tech there accessed my computer and spent the day cleaning it out . I didn't ask what what was used, I was so happy to ger it done. He asssured me that mo no one would be able to my info ever.