Hard Drive Replacement

I just bought a new Dell and the hard drive is rather noisy. Dell is sending someone to replace it but Cust Svc. tells me they want my defective one. Obviously the disc has sensitive data on it and I was wondering how to handle this as I don't want to let it go.

 

I guess this maybe on the wrong forum so I'll redo it on the hardware section.

 

If the dell guy wants to take the hd when he replaces it you have no choice other than burn the files you want to keep to cd or dvd, but you need to do it before they get there. ed

 

What I'm concerned about is credit card nos., bank acct. nos. etc. that might fall into the wrong hands. Backing up files is not the issue.

 

Just put your xp disc in like you are going to reinstall windows, after the disc reformats your hard drive, eject the disc and shut down pc, everything is gone. ed

 

Have you ever done this before? Its not really hard, but you might need some guidence.

 

You no longer get a xp disc. Dell tells you to use "System Restore" which returns your system to an earlier operating state without affecting your data files. Is there away to do this delete all since tere is no disc. Thanks for your help!

 

Copy off the data you want and then google
DBAN or Dirks Boot and Nuke. Download the ISO burn to a CD.
Have the PC 's BIOS set to boot from CD-ROM & reboot.
Follow directions.. it will do a DOD wipe of the drive so NO ONE at Dell
can steal your money...

 

Thanks very much!