Post by: eloyman on January 14, 2009, 05:49:15 PM
Is there a way to just WIPE my hardrive of all my files quickly except the programs and files that were on it when the computer was first purchased?
oh and when you answer this just go ahead and close it :]
Post by: MadHatter on January 14, 2009, 08:44:49 PM
Or you can just reformat your C drive, do this by rebooting with your Windows CD in your drive and selecting reformat hard drive and then install Windows.
To "virtually shred" or "nuke" your hard drive, use these programs:
http://www.dban.org/ (http://\"http://www.dban.org/\")
Here is some more info on it.
http://homepage.mac.com/cameranerd74/blog/...5839/index.html (http://\"http://homepage.mac.com/cameranerd74/blog/C1987988747/E20060318095839/index.html\")
Post by: guestolo on January 14, 2009, 11:49:46 PM
Quote
oh and when you answer this just go ahead and close it
Great answer MadHatter, I like Boot and Nuke also, completely wipe the drive
But, the user wants to format and clean install, not sure what computer he has
No disks. Any recovery partition?
We'll never know, as we should close this now
Post by: eloyman on January 15, 2009, 12:26:52 AM
Post by: greazee on January 15, 2009, 12:29:29 AM
/smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':)\' />that way is more fun
Post by: guestolo on January 15, 2009, 12:50:12 AM
What is the make/model of computer?
You can just simply make a new user account, then log off your account and delete the one your using
Delete files when prompted
Of course this isn't really secure if the user knows what there doing, but should be sufficient for others
Also, you can use a Shredder tool, to delete your files
Do this after uninstalling any programs not needed
Post by: eloyman on January 15, 2009, 11:52:58 PM
Post by: newbiz02 on January 18, 2009, 04:25:36 PM
You can't tell the wiping software to "selectively wipe" the drive and leave software alone.
it kills everythiing.
So make sure you have your Device Drivers CD ready, before performing your clean install.
cheers
Post by: guestolo on January 18, 2009, 04:34:46 PM
Quote
eeh.. I don't have the OS cd or the windows key
I would Clean install also, if giving the computer away
But the user doesn't have CD or key
and it doesn't appear the computer has a Recovery partition
Uninstall any programs you don't need
I like to use Revo uninstaller for this, you can just use Add/remove programs
Any files you don't need, you can delete, or better yet, use a Shredder program
Such as Eraser, or again, Revo Uninstaller has one built in
After you have uninstalled programs, deleted any files/folders not needed
Make a new User account with admin privileges
Log off your account, sign into the new account, or go into safe mode and enter the hidden Admin account
Delete your user, and Delete files at the prompt
If you want to change the Registered too...... in MyComputer, it's just a registry setting