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Selling computer...how to erase ALL my files without formatting?

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by CrunchDude, 2007/02/17.

  1. 2007/02/17
    CrunchDude

    CrunchDude Inactive Thread Starter

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    I am selling one of my laptops and usually, I reformat and reinstall everything from scratch. However, in this case, I don't want to do that. How do I get rid of ALL of my personal files? Obviously, I'll uninstall all of my applications, delete all of the my cookies and temporary Internet files. Then I thought of using my Webroot Window Washer to "bleach" the hard drive and my WinASO registry cleaner has a "privacy eraser ", which is probably overkill.

    Is there anything else I need to or should or could do to further erase my own files or settings?

    Thanks to all! :)
     
  2. 2007/02/17
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

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    Hey CrunchDude,

    "Bleaching" sounds pretty thorough :)

    Sounds like you have good tools. Some additional tools would be SpyBot > Tools > System Internals.

    Another tool: CCleaner http://www.ccleaner.com/

    Are you going get rid of every smidgen of data? Probably not which is why formatting is recommended.

    Regards - Charles
     

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  4. 2007/02/17
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    If I were SELLING a PC I would settle for no less than a complete Format.

    I write the above suggestion from personal experience. A Family member gave me a PC which HE THOUGHT he had removed everything presonal. HA-HA-HA. He forgot some things ( backup files ) on a separate partiton. I could not use them because I did not have the proper program. But If I did I could.

    BillyBob
     
  5. 2007/02/17
    Whiskeyman Lifetime Subscription

    Whiskeyman Inactive Alumni

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    Eraser works quite well, but if someone was capable and had the right programs they could still find private information.
     
  6. 2007/02/17
    RayH

    RayH Inactive

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    How thorough depends upon what kind of information you've had on the hard drive. But like Billy Bob, I'd low level format and reinstall.
     
    RayH,
    #5
  7. 2007/02/18
    CrunchDude

    CrunchDude Inactive Thread Starter

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    I agree with you guys. It's just that this is going to a friend and I thought I was pretty thorough. Thanks again for everyone's input. :)
     
  8. 2007/02/18
    Dytrog

    Dytrog Inactive

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