Re: I Need to Clean Up an Old Computer to Give it Away

Tech-Archive recommends: Fix windows errors by optimizing your registry

jamesmcnee wrote:
I have a Sony PC running XP that I am getting rid of.

I don't expect to sell it but even taking it to school or the Goodwill
I want to securely clean all my data off the hard drives.

What advice do people have about formatting / those programs to wipe
disks / ...

How do you clean everything off while still running the OS?

An advice for a pretty basic user would be much appreciated.

Thanks



To protect your personal information and data from any future users of average skills, you should, at the very least, format the hard drive. You can do this using the original Installation CD. Simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. You'll be offered the opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part of the installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

If you wish to do a more thorough job of protecting your personal data, WipeDrive (http://www.whitecanyon.com/wipedrive-erase-hard-drive.php) meets U.S. DoD standards for securely cleaning surplus unclassified hard drives, and could be used before formatting and reinstalling the OS and applications.


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Relevant Pages

  • Re: Restoring Windows XP
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  • Re: Formating windows xp
    ... Formatting the hard drive to solve a virus or spyware problem is rather like using an axe to trim one's fingernails. ... Simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. ... They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ...
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    ... Formatting the hard drive to solve a virus or spyware problem is rather like using an axe to trim one's fingernails. ... Simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. ...
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