Advice Needed - Giving Away Computers

[Lynn Q]

Hi there,

I have two old computers which are working perfectly well which I am giving
away. As I don't have the time to reformat the drives I wonder what else I
can do to ensure that any of my information is not accessible on these
systems. Both systems have Windows XP on them, one is XP Pro which was
upgraded from Windows ME. This is a 10 year old system, has had upgrades
along the way, but works fine for internet and so on. The other system is
also Windows XP, but Home. Again, this is a 2-drive system, fully
functioning, with 1 GB RAM, upgraded a few times. Both have XP SP2
installed.

So... What can I check and modify to ensure my information is unavailable to
the recipients? So far I have removed e-mail accounts that were set up.

Any advice on what to check... And how... Would be most welcome. Guidance
on how to clean up these machines without reformatting again would be much
appreciated.

By the way I will be giving the original installation disks away with the
systems. Will that cause any issues?

Thank you so much!

Lynn

 

[Leonard Grey]

It's a matter of minutes to format a hard drive.

 

[ShadowTek]

Hi there,

I have two old computers which are working perfectly well which I am
giving away. As I don't have the time to reformat the drives I wonder
what else I can do to ensure that any of my information is not
accessible on these systems. Both systems have Windows XP on them,
one is XP Pro which was upgraded from Windows ME. This is a 10 year
old system, has had upgrades along the way, but works fine for
internet and so on. The other system is also Windows XP, but Home.
Again, this is a 2-drive system, fully functioning, with 1 GB RAM,
upgraded a few times. Both have XP SP2 installed.

So... What can I check and modify to ensure my information is
unavailable to the recipients? So far I have removed e-mail accounts
that were set up.

Any advice on what to check... And how... Would be most welcome.
Guidance on how to clean up these machines without reformatting again
would be much appreciated.

By the way I will be giving the original installation disks away with
the systems. Will that cause any issues?

Thank you so much!

Reformatting a drive doesn't take long. You could have started the process
during the time it took you to type this message.

If you still have the installation discs then I would go ahead and
overwrite/reformat everything.

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

Hi there,

I have two old computers which are working perfectly well which I am
giving
away. As I don't have the time to reformat the drives I wonder what else
I
can do to ensure that any of my information is not accessible on these
systems. Both systems have Windows XP on them, one is XP Pro which was
upgraded from Windows ME. This is a 10 year old system, has had upgrades
along the way, but works fine for internet and so on. The other system is
also Windows XP, but Home. Again, this is a 2-drive system, fully
functioning, with 1 GB RAM, upgraded a few times. Both have XP SP2
installed.

So... What can I check and modify to ensure my information is unavailable
to
the recipients? So far I have removed e-mail accounts that were set up.

Any advice on what to check... And how... Would be most welcome. Guidance
on how to clean up these machines without reformatting again would be much
appreciated.

By the way I will be giving the original installation disks away with the
systems. Will that cause any issues?

Thank you so much!

Lynn

Use a disk eraser.. http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm ..

Then re-install Windows on each machine. Also ensure that you supply
installation media relevant to each machine..


--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[db.·.. >]

old electronics is no
longer of real value.

the rule of thumb for
donating them would
be if they are worthy to give
to your relatives or friends.

if not, then donating them
to anyone else would be
just as unworthy.

also, each machine has its
own windows license and
you will have to donate that
too.

otherwise anyone who acquires
your old machines would have
to buy there own windows for
the machine.

however to make it simple, just
remove the old hardddrives from
the machines before donating them.

you can then install them into
your new system as slaves and
don't have to worry about
licenses or wiping the disks
away.

of course if you choose the
method above, then the
donated machines will have
no hd and thus no o.s.

but this would leave the
prospective buyers to understand
that in acquiring your old machines
would require them to purchase a
harddrive and a new windows
operating system.

the above is better because
the perspective purchasers
will not be confused as to
what to expect if they buy
the old computers.

 

[JS]

If you are concerned that someone may gain access to the data files,
yes then can with special software.
In which case you should run a special disk wipe software package
(see below) after you format the drive.

Then use your Windows XP CD to reinstall XP and SP2 or 3
Give the recipient a fresh start.
No problem in giving away the original media.

Eraser: http://www.heidi.ie/node/6
Also see: http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Best/dod-erase-free.html

Note: Use the DOD method (at least 7 passes) for 'Unused/Free' space,
Make absolutely certain that you have selected the correct drive letter!!!

JS
http://www.pagestart.com

 

[philo]

Hi there,

I have two old computers which are working perfectly well which I am giving
away. As I don't have the time to reformat the drives I wonder what else I
can do to ensure that any of my information is not accessible on these
systems. Both systems have Windows XP on them, one is XP Pro which was
upgraded from Windows ME. This is a 10 year old system, has had upgrades
along the way, but works fine for internet and so on. The other system is
also Windows XP, but Home. Again, this is a 2-drive system, fully
functioning, with 1 GB RAM, upgraded a few times. Both have XP SP2
installed.

So... What can I check and modify to ensure my information is unavailable to
the recipients? So far I have removed e-mail accounts that were set up.

Any advice on what to check... And how... Would be most welcome. Guidance
on how to clean up these machines without reformatting again would be much
appreciated.

By the way I will be giving the original installation disks away with the
systems. Will that cause any issues?

Thank you so much!

Lynn

To make sure no personal data is there, you really need to reload the OS...

Otherwise, erase the drives and let the next person deal with reloading...

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Hi there,

I have two old computers which are working perfectly well which I am
giving
away. As I don't have the time to reformat the drives I wonder what else
I
can do to ensure that any of my information is not accessible on these
systems. Both systems have Windows XP on them, one is XP Pro which was
upgraded from Windows ME. This is a 10 year old system, has had upgrades
along the way, but works fine for internet and so on. The other system is
also Windows XP, but Home. Again, this is a 2-drive system, fully
functioning, with 1 GB RAM, upgraded a few times. Both have XP SP2
installed.

So... What can I check and modify to ensure my information is unavailable
to
the recipients? So far I have removed e-mail accounts that were set up.

Any advice on what to check... And how... Would be most welcome. Guidance
on how to clean up these machines without reformatting again would be much
appreciated.

By the way I will be giving the original installation disks away with the
systems. Will that cause any issues?

Thank you so much!

Lynn

If you place any value on the data you used to have on these systems, and
don't even have time to format the drives, there's only one appropriate
thing to do.

Keep them.

Otherwise, find a wipe-disk utility and use it, and then find someone to
babysit the installs or require the recipient to do the install - they are
getting the media, after all.

Again, if there is information that is in any way valuable, private, or
sensitive on these systems, do not follow your original plan. You will
simply be giving the data away.

HTH
-pk

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi there,

I have two old computers which are working perfectly well which I am giving
away. As I don't have the time to reformat the drives I wonder what else I
can do to ensure that any of my information is not accessible on these
systems. Both systems have Windows XP on them, one is XP Pro which was
upgraded from Windows ME. This is a 10 year old system, has had upgrades
along the way, but works fine for internet and so on. The other system is
also Windows XP, but Home. Again, this is a 2-drive system, fully
functioning, with 1 GB RAM, upgraded a few times. Both have XP SP2
installed.

So... What can I check and modify to ensure my information is unavailable to
the recipients? So far I have removed e-mail accounts that were set up.

Any advice on what to check... And how... Would be most welcome. Guidance
on how to clean up these machines without reformatting again would be much
appreciated.

By the way I will be giving the original installation disks away with the
systems. Will that cause any issues?

Thank you so much!

Lynn

Make the time. To protect your personal information and data from
any future users of average skills, you should, at the *_very least_*,
format the hard drive. You can do this using the original Installation CD.


If you wish to do a more thorough job of protecting your personal
data, WipeDrive
(http://www.whitecanyon.com/wipedrive-erase-hard-drive.php) meets U.S.
DoD standards for securely cleaning surplus unclassified hard drives,
and could be used before formatting and reinstalling the OS and
applications. There are also several freeware utilities available for
this purpose, although they don't necessarily meet the DoD standards.
Google is your friend.

Otherwise, remove the hard drives and physically destry them.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Lynn Q]

If you place any value on the data you used to have on these systems, and
don't even have time to format the drives, there's only one appropriate
thing to do.

Keep them.

Otherwise, find a wipe-disk utility and use it, and then find someone to
babysit the installs or require the recipient to do the install - they are
getting the media, after all.

Again, if there is information that is in any way valuable, private, or
sensitive on these systems, do not follow your original plan. You will
simply be giving the data away.

HTH
-pk

Thank you for all your responses, they're appreciated. I goofed when I said
I didn't have time to re-format, it's mostly the time to reformat and then
reload all the software and updates to XP SP2 standard. Even on a high
speed connection this is a considerable investment of time. I don't mind
doing that, I just need the time to give this all the attention that is
deserved. Yes, as I mentioned, the original disks will be going with each
computer, so no problem them.

One other question, I have to activate the installs again so that the
updates can be put on, can I do this without putting a name to the install?

Any other tips on what to do on the reformat and what to avoid?

Thanks again!

Lynn

 

[Leonard Grey]

You don't have to re-activate when you reinstall Windows on the same
hardware on which it was originally installed.

 

[msnews.microsoft.com]

or if you happen to have Symantec's Norton Utilities SystemWorks :
Wipe PC hard drives with a bootable 'Danger' floppy
http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-6247-0.html?forumID=12&threadID=139764&messageID=1573437first using wipeDisk.exe from Symantec's Norton Utilities SystemWorks withthe / g switch which follows DoD specs will eradicate the ENTIRE disk area..Then you can just give the original cd along the pc away without worryingabout your personal data falling into the wrong hand everif you don't , you can either download appropraiteutil as suggested byothers or take a close look at your security software. Chances are it willhave it if the security suite is decent enough"Bruce Chambers" <[email protected]> wrote in messagenews:%[email protected]...> Lynn Q wrote:>> Hi there,>>>> I have two old computers which are working perfectly well which I amgiving>> away. As I don't have the time to reformat the drives I wonder what elseI>> can do to ensure that any of my information is not accessible on these>> systems. Both systems have Windows XP on them, one is XP Pro which was>> upgraded from Windows ME. This is a 10 year old system, has had upgrades>> along the way, but works fine for internet and so on. The other systemis>> also Windows XP, but Home. Again, this is a 2-drive system, fully>> functioning, with 1 GB RAM, upgraded a few times. Both have XP SP2>> installed.>>>> So... What can I check and modify to ensure my information is unavailableto>> the recipients? So far I have removed e-mail accounts that were set up.>>>> Any advice on what to check... And how... Would be most welcome.Guidance>> on how to clean up these machines without reformatting again would bemuch>> appreciated.>>>> By the way I will be giving the original installation disks away with the>> systems. Will that cause any issues?>>>> Thank you so much!>>>> Lynn>>>>> Make the time. To protect your personal information and data from anyfuture users of average skills, you should, at the *_very least_*, formatthe hard drive. You can do this using the original Installation CD.>>> If you wish to do a more thorough job of protecting your personaldata, WipeDrive (http://www.whitecanyon.com/wipedrive-erase-hard-drive.php)meets U.S. DoD standards for securely cleaning surplus unclassified harddrives, and could be used before formatting and reinstalling the OS andapplications. There are also several freeware utilities available for thispurpose, although they don't necessarily meet the DoD standards. Google isyour friend.>> Otherwise, remove the hard drives and physically destry them.>> -->> Bruce Chambers>> Help us help you:> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375>> They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporarysafety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin>> Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~BertrandRussell>> The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest haskilled a great many philosophers.> ~ Denis Diderot

 

[Twayne]

Hi there,

I have two old computers which are working perfectly well which I am
giving away. As I don't have the time to reformat the drives I

If you don't have the time to reformat, forget it. It's all automated
and too easy to do to use as an excuse. Either do it right or don't do
it.

wonder what else I can do to ensure that any of my information is not
accessible on these systems. Both systems have Windows XP on them,
one is XP Pro which was upgraded from Windows ME. This is a 10 year
old system, has had upgrades along the way, but works fine for
internet and so on. The other system is also Windows XP, but Home.
Again, this is a 2-drive system, fully functioning, with 1 GB RAM,
upgraded a few times. Both have XP SP2 installed.

See below

So... What can I check and modify to ensure my information is
unavailable to the recipients? So far I have removed e-mail accounts
that were set up.

That would take a lot longer than a reformat.

Any advice on what to check... And how... Would be most welcome.
Guidance on how to clean up these machines without reformatting again
would be much appreciated.

Everything, since only YOU know what you have on it!

By the way I will be giving the original installation disks away with
the systems. Will that cause any issues?

Not as long as they are not pirated software.

Thank you so much!

Lynn

Your intent is good. But if you are unwilling to format or at least
delete everything in the My Documents folder, it's better to forget
giving it away. If you actually HAVE any data you wouldn't want people
to see, the either get rid of the data or junk the PC in my back yard;
I'LL do the reformat, especially since you're includin gall the CDs.

Delete everything in the My Documents folder.
Delete everything on the second drive or reformat it.

Or:
Boot from the XP CD.
When it's booted, follow instructions until you get the screen with C
for create and D for deleting partitions.
Delete ALL partitions on ALL drives. Let the new users do the reinstall
if you're too lazy to do it. A reinstall is always the first thing a
person should do for a gifted or used computer anyway.
Create one partition on each drive, and format both drives (full format,
not quick).
Give it away. It would take a guru/knowledgeable person/special
software now to recover any data.
XP is useless to them until they activate it on their own anyway. The
reinstallation process will write over any data you may have left on the
drives that could be recoverable with special software.

I'm not so sure I believe a computer ten years old is running XP very
well.

I can't tell whether you're talking about one or two computers,
actually. A set of CDs has to go with EACH of them! Or, if any of that
software is pirated, especially windows & Office, don't supply any
software; let them get their own.