Selling my computer. Need to delete files???

N

nmiller7

New Member
Just sold my computer online, now I need to delete my files, personal info, etc. What is the best way to do this? I would like to keep Microsoft Office intact however.

This is my system:

AMD Phenom x4 9850 QUAD-CORE 2.5GHz/4GB RAM/750GB HDD/BLURAY PLAYER w/LS DVD+-RW DL /256MB GeForce 9300GE w/DVI-HDMI/Gigabit Ethernet/VISTA BUSINESS 64bit

thanks
 
Perhaps create a new profile via the control panel (give it administrative rights) and then log in to that profile and delete yours (click yes when it asks to keep to delete the files)

However, you should be warned the only real way to make sure your file are intact are you reinstall/reformat the computer anyone with enough computer knowledge would be able to recover the files that you deleted (even though it's semi complicated)
 
best bet is to make a cd from windows washer to boot from and bleach the hard drive of ALL files then reinstall windows. If not done others can recover your personal files.
 
I'd reformat it. Twice to be safe. then just load up windows and stick an admin account on there.
 
linkin93 said:
I'd reformat it. Twice to be safe. then just load up windows and stick an admin account on there.
Click to expand...

Still will not erase all data that was on hard drive. All blank space that does not contain windows files will be able to be scanned using software to recover files.

You need to have a bleaching cd to boot from after format to make hard drive unable to be recoverable.
 
I guess I really only used any personal information (financial info and social security) when I bought something online. Could I just delete the cookies and be done with it?
 
I wouldnt Risk it. If oyu have a spare computer that will accept the hard drive from the one your selling then hook it up as spare. One you have it hooked up as a spare hd in another computer download and install ccleaner. format the hard drive and then open ccleaner to wash the hard drive with the bleach over night while you sleep as it takes LONG time.
 
You could use the Auslogics disk wiper utility. it's free, it writes over all free space with random data, and you can select the amount of passes and you can run it from windows.
 
My memory is sketchy here, but isn't there an option to do a "Full format" when re-installing? Maybe I'm thinking Linux or forging the memory myself, but I seem to recall that was a proper overwrite of everything, versus the "Quick Format" that would just designate all hard drive space as overwritable/recoverable to the savvy user.
 
^ you are correct. Quick format just makes the data into free space, full format will erase & overwrite all data on the disk.
 
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