How to erase MOST but NOT all from Hard Drive

I getting a new computer soon and wish to DONATE this one to a Charity. I want to leave most of the programs on the HD but want all personal and private stuff deleted for sure.

OS: Win 98
4GB HD
256MB mem
366 Mhz celeron P3

Hopefully, there is another way other than re-formatting it.
Thanks in advance for any help with this matter.

 

You'd be better off wiping the drive entirely unless the programs you leave on are freeware. If you intend to leave the OS on, you should supply the original CD as well, otherwise it is illegal. There are plenty of programs on MG to wipe a drive. Re-formatting will not achieve what you are trying to do. There are many programs that will restore programs after a reformat. A better idea might be to keep the harddrive and install it on your computer for pictures, songs, backup, etc., and donate the rest. They will have drives they can install on your old PC. Bazza

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What he said; also most programs bind to personal information including name/serial #'s/credit cards/login info etc.

 

Thanks!!! I really like the idea of keeping the HD for back-up. Didn't think 4 GB was worth keeping, but I guess I can get all my documents and Favorite etc. that I have now backed-up.
Do I still wipe it clean? What steps do you recc.? Would I use Hard Drive Wipe for my search?

 

Any program that wipes the drive will do if you are going to keep the drive. Even a reformat will do. ERASER is one program that is recommended here at MG

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4221

It is free. Or type ERASER into the MG search box and there will be others to choose from.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/search.php

Bazza

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Thanks for your help!!!!!​

 

You're welcome. Keep us posted on what program you use and the results. Helps improve our knowledge, as well. PS: Make sure that you set up the second drive as a slave. Jumper settings are usually on a decal/sticker on the outside of the hard drive. Bazza

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