Selling Computer?

B

bigv32

New Member
Okay I have three computers that I am either personally selling or helping my work sell some of theirs.

The two computers at work I am not sure what to do with. They both are running windows XP but we do not have any of the disks that came with it. Also, I believe that the older one has old accounting records.

While I do not believe there is any sesitive information on it, my boss is not sure.

Is there anyway to errase the data on the hard drives without getting rid of windows? I know reformatting the hard drives will get rid of the info unless someone who is really interested in the info wants it, but since the likely hood of anyone knowing where the machine came from or even caring about it are low, some risk is acceptable. My boss understands this, but there is a charity yard sale that could use any money they get from selling them and my work needs to get rid of them.

EDIT: Also, the oldest computerr I found out actully has two hard drives. One has windows xp and the other windows 98.

The thrid computer I am selling is only about a month old. All it has been used for is basic web browsing, and the only "personal information" that has been on it are some usernames and passwords to a couple of forums and other sites.

This computer has Windows 7 that was installed with an oem version.


Any advise or could someone please point me somewhere for information on what steps we could take? Thanks
 
Des_Zac said:
why don't you just delete it? Is there a specific reason you want to reformat the drive?
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I am sorry but delete what? All the info? And if so, on which computer are you referring?

I am not asking if I should reformat the drive, I am asking for advice on what exactly to do before giving the computers away for them to be sold.

If I had copies of Windows XP for the older computers I would just reformat and be done with it.
 
I thought the reason you were iffy on selling the work computer was because it had the spreadsheets or whatever with work info, all I was asking is why don't you just delete the file(s).
 
Go find yourself a copy of windows xp there should be a sticker taped to the side of the case that has the windows product key on it reformatt the drive put the key back in and its good to be sold.
 
Des_Zac said:
I thought the reason you were iffy on selling the work computer was because it had the spreadsheets or whatever with work info, all I was asking is why don't you just delete the file(s).
Click to expand...

Deleting the files will not wipe them totally from the drives. They can always be recovered if someone really wanted to.

I think I am just going to start a new account on the computers and delete all the info from the others and the other accounts themselves. Then I will use ccleaner to wipe the empty space on my drives.
 
You could use a program like FileShredder (I think that's what it was called) to delete the files and make sure they're not recoverable by anyone but professionals with specialised equipment. However, to make sure nothing is left behind, it would be best to do a full reformat and then re-install.

Like the ute man said, as long as you've get the licence keys (there should be a sticker on the box but if not, you can use magic jelly bean keyfinder to pull the key out of your system) and a legit installation disc, you should be a-ok.
 
okay thanks for the help guys. luckly found the disk in the back store room and did a clean reinstall/reformat.
 
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