Giving away my old computer...

[dockeryfan]

and I need to wipe the hard drive clean. What is the best freeware for removing all data from a hard drive? There is some tax information, stock portfolio excel files, etc on this computer.

[Larry]

If your computer came from a name manufacturer, like Compaq, HP, or whatever, they often come with a CD or 10 that will allow you to wipe the system completely clean and restore the hard drive to the way it was the day you bought it. It gets rid of all your data, all the things you've installed, and gives the recipient a "brand new" set of software.

(Some of those CDs, when you run them, give you the option of doing what they call a "repair", which simply installs Windows on top of itself. That's not the option you want, which is often labeled "Format and install".)

On some HP retail machines, the "Quick Restore" option is built into a reserved partition on the hard drive. There are no CDs, you access the program by pressing F10 when the system boots. (Before Windows starts to load.)

[dockeryfan]

Thanks, Larry. I don't have any discs for this one. It's from like 1998.

I'll let people know if I find anything.

[Kosher Ham]

10 years old ? Is it still compatible for todays use ?

[Larry]

Thanks, Larry. I don't have any discs for this one. It's from like 1998.

I'll let people know if I find anything.

So what's the make and model? (If it's a name brand.)

[dockeryfan]

So what's the make and model? (If it's a name brand.)

NEC 9883? I thought people just ripped the guts out of these things and put in new power supplies, motherboards, etc.

[Larry]

NEC 9883? I thought people just ripped the guts out of these things and put in new power supplies, motherboards, etc.

They probably can.

I don't know what the options are for getting CDs for an NEC. Sorry. You're either looking for trying to get an OEM CD and doing a fresh install that way. (Which may be tricky, because you won't know what kinds of drivers you'll need until after you've destroyed Windows.) Or simply hunting through the hard disc looking for things to delete.

(And the bad news is, any time you delete something in Windows, there's no way of knowing if you broke something.)

The "wipe it clean and make it a new computer" plan is probably not a good option for you.

Another option: Is the person you're giving it to a Real Tech? If so, you may just be able to wipe the thing clean and give it to him clean, and let him put Windows back on it. (Or Linux, if he's smart. )

[dockeryfan]

I found something pretty good. The ultimate boot cd. UBCD.
http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

It seems to have a lot of other tools for if your HD is failing and you need to diagnose and fix, but for me it had a couple of options on how to wipe the HD.

Downloaded it, burned it to a CD, ran the disc, wiped the HD clean with a program called Autoclave, and now the puppy's clean. All in all, it was pretty easy.

[One Shot]

I should probably think about doing the same thing....windows95 is starting to get a little obsolete.

[drums and skins]

I've used Ultimate Boot CD before

Also, Window Washer ($30) is a great program to have. By the makers of Spysweeper (Webroot Inc), the program is intended foryou to be able to clear out all your temporary downloaded files, internet history, recent document files, and any program that has a "recent file" list. So if you don't want your girlfriend/wife to see that you've been snoopin' around on the pr0n, all you need to do is click a button and everything is clean as a whistle.

It also comes with the option to create a bootable CD that will wipe your hard drive. It gives you the option to do anything from a simple 1 swipe erase to stuff that meets the demands of the Department of Defense and NSA (and even more) so you can be sure that absolutely nothing is recoverable. Although, if you're just going to a civilian, anything more than 3 swipes is overkill and will take a LONG time to complete wiping.

[HogNose]

and I need to wipe the hard drive clean. What is the best freeware for removing all data from a hard drive?

Just a second partner.....




J/K...Download the Wipe or Zero Utility from the Hard Drive Manufacturers Web Site, or format it.

[Larry]

Wiping the hard drive is easy.

Making the computer work after you wipe it is beyond most users.

[SoCalSkins]

If your computer came from a name manufacturer, like Compaq, HP, or whatever, they often come with a CD or 10 that will allow you to wipe the system completely clean and restore the hard drive to the way it was the day you bought it. It gets rid of all your data, all the things you've installed, and gives the recipient a "brand new" set of software.

(Some of those CDs, when you run them, give you the option of doing what they call a "repair", which simply installs Windows on top of itself. That's not the option you want, which is often labeled "Format and install".)

On some HP retail machines, the "Quick Restore" option is built into a reserved partition on the hard drive. There are no CDs, you access the program by pressing F10 when the system boots. (Before Windows starts to load.)

Those restore cd's do not overwrite every sector of data. Data in sectors not over written by the restore would be accessible with recovery software.

There are several drive wiping freeware programs available. Go to CNET or use google.

[Larry]

You folks keep assuming his question is "how do I make it so that the NSA can't recover my kiddie porn"?

The question I'm attempting to answer is "How do I hand a typical user a computer that a typical user can't accidentally stumble across my credit card number, but which the typical user can use"?

I'm assuming that he wants the computer to work when he's done. (Otherwise, he could just put a bullet through it.)

(In fact, if you don't want the computer to work, then my advice is to take a screwdriver, remove the hard drive, toss the computer, keep the hard drive in your closet for a few years. If something happens and you need something that's on the drive, then you'll have it. A few years from now, if nothing's come up, then you can put a bullet through it.)

[HogNose]

You folks keep assuming his question is "how do I make it so that the NSA can't recover my kiddie porn"?

The question I'm attempting to answer is "How do I hand a typical user a computer that a typical user can't accidentally stumble across my credit card number, but which the typical user can use"?

Larry, I was joking with the Chris Hanson pic. I gave him serious advice too.