formatting an old hard drive

I have a laptop which I am giving to someone but would like to clean up the hard drive first. I have removed the HD and I can take it to a computer repair shop for them to reformat but would like to save the bucks if possible. Is there some other way to clean it up.

 

Sounds pretty easy - I'll give it a try.

 

There are other options, as well. When formatting with the XP CD, you have to be the flash to beat the system from copying files after the format is complete. Freeware applications like Active KillDisk will allow you to completely clean a hard drive to DOD standards. Even after using XPs format utility it is possible to recover data from the drive, whereas erasing data to DOD standard utilities makes it MUCH more difficult.

 

Another way, if you are not too concerned about what's on the drive is to boot up with the xp cd inserted, follow the screens, then simply delete the partition. Done.

 

I thought about that also but since my drive is not partitioned, the computer would not accept my suggestion.