need disks?

[cambridge]

I have a new laptop and am about to donate my old desktop to charity.
I want to wipe out the disk securely and am aware that there are
utilities out there to do this but I want to retain the XP operating
system if possible. If this is not possible I would like to supply
the original XP Professional CDs so it can be restored. Here's the
problem: I can't locate these disks. What can I do? Can I wipe the
drive while sparing the operating system? Recreate installation disks
from the PC?

 

[antioch]

I have a new laptop and am about to donate my old desktop to charity.
I want to wipe out the disk securely and am aware that there are
utilities out there to do this but I want to retain the XP operating
system if possible. If this is not possible I would like to supply
the original XP Professional CDs so it can be restored. Here's the
problem: I can't locate these disks. What can I do? Can I wipe the
drive while sparing the operating system? Recreate installation disks
from the PC?

If you are going to donate your old comp to charity then the only safe
action to take is to remove the HD and hit it many times with the heaviest
hammer you can find. Then if you feel that charitable, buy a new HD and an
OS if they need one.

Rgds
Antioch

PS
If you have just used your correct email address to post in this group then
don't be surprised to receive some spam - in fact you could get a lot.
Munging the email is the only safe way to post in these groups.

 

[HeyBub]

I have a new laptop and am about to donate my old desktop to charity.
I want to wipe out the disk securely and am aware that there are
utilities out there to do this but I want to retain the XP operating
system if possible. If this is not possible I would like to supply
the original XP Professional CDs so it can be restored. Here's the
problem: I can't locate these disks. What can I do? Can I wipe the
drive while sparing the operating system? Recreate installation disks
from the PC?

Keep the hard drive. You can use it in your new computer.

The charity can buy a replacement on Ebay for $5.00.

 

[Unknown]

Why not just delete all your personal files and then donate it. Only someone
with something to gain
will spend the time and effort to recover information from it.

 

[Antioch]

Why not just delete all your personal files and then donate it. Only
someone with something to gain
will spend the time and effort to recover information from it.

Thats OK if the poster knows the charity to whom they are intending to
donate.
If its going to one of those general collection groups, who knows where it
will end up.
There have been many reports in the UK of personal info being retrieved from
computers donated to charity collectors/centers.

Rgds
Antioch

 

[Universe_JDJ]

Why not just delete all your personal files and then donate it. Only someone
with something to gain
will spend the time and effort to recover information from it.

It happens. You should always securely delete any sensitive data before
passing it on to another source (especially when you don't know who that
source will be).

That said, an option would be to use a program to record your current XP
key using a software application like Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder
(http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml) and then obtain (if
you know what I mean)/borrow an XP disk from another source. There would
be no difference.

 

[Unknown]

The donator should know what's on his system so that he/she is able to make
an intelligent decision
as to whether or not some recorded information needs further attention.