Best way to clean off computer?

mbmadiw · Jun 5, 2006

I have an old laptop with Windows ME (yuck) on it. I would like to clean everything off it before selling it. The user can't find any of the CDs, so I can't just reinstall ME to clear everything. Any suggestions of what I can do manually, or is there a good program that would be better?

I know I could just delete everything, clear temp files, etc., but I know that's not good enough.

Thanks!

DavidGP · Jun 5, 2006

Do you wish to leave the OS as in ME still on it or do you want to wipe the HD completly as in leave it blank?

If Blank that is the better option and let who-ever install their own OS on it, one of the better apps to erase a HD completly is Active @ Killdisk or Darik's Boot and Nuke ( Dariks is a CDRW version but a floppy version in also listed for download at that link )

If you wish to leave WinME on the PC but remove all your persoanal data then that is a little harder as you will with some apps be able to remove and erase certain folders and locations but you will have to manually search your HD for all personal data and erase it manually.

Auto cleaning and erasing apps.
CCleaner ( NO Yahoo Toolbar )
will clear up any locations and if you turn on the Secure Deletion function from Options > Settings > pick a method via the dropdown box ( DOD 3 passes is fine but for best use NSA, will take some time if many files are being erased as it makes 7 passes over the data to render it unrecoverable )

Eraser
can be used to drag and drop folders and files manually into the erase box.

cr.Gena · Jun 6, 2006

Yep, there are a lot of sorts of software that can safely remove all the information from the HDD. I prefer a disk clean-up Privacy Expert component but there is a large amount of utilities that will also help you

mbmadiw · Jun 6, 2006

I'm not sure yet if we remove ME or leave it on. We won't be using it anywhere else, so that's not an issue! Either way, I now know a good route to take.

Thanks a lot for the great info.

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Best way to clean off computer?

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