donating computer

  • Thread starter Thread starter nurse411
  • Start date Start date
N

nurse411

i have a computer i would like to donate i have removed several programs and
also have purchased a program that is suppose to remove all traces of my
identity. it still has my name as the owner of the windows xp home addition
on the about windows screen. it will also not let me delete the folder with
my name on it under the documents & setting program for my computer. i do
not have a restore disk. any suggestions on how i can remove my identity.
the computer is not accessible to the internet.
 
nurse411 said:
i have a computer i would like to donate i have removed several programs and
also have purchased a program that is suppose to remove all traces of my
identity. it still has my name as the owner of the windows xp home addition
on the about windows screen. it will also not let me delete the folder with
my name on it under the documents & setting program for my computer. i do
not have a restore disk. any suggestions on how i can remove my identity.
the computer is not accessible to the internet.
Click to expand...

If you want to completely erase the hard drive, you can use this (DBAN).
Note - only have the disk(s) connected you want erased. This program
erases every hard drive still connected to the computer. It can
erase 100 drives simultaneously. (Some people have left their
data backup drive connected when DBAN runs, and that is a big
mistake.)

http://www.dban.org/

If you want to prove to someone, that the computer is in working
condition, install a free version of Linux on it. You can do that,
after you've run DBAN. Ubuntu is an example of a distro you could
use.

http://www.ubuntu.com

Paul
 
nurse411 said:
i have a computer i would like to donate i have removed several programs
and also have purchased a program that is suppose to remove all traces of
my
identity. it still has my name as the owner of the windows xp home
addition on the about windows screen. it will also not let me delete the
folder with
my name on it under the documents & setting program for my computer. i do
not have a restore disk. any suggestions on how i can remove my identity.
the computer is not accessible to the internet.
Click to expand...

When you sell or give a computer that is running a Windows operating system,
you need to also provide the means to return the machine to factory
condition. This means you should either wipe the hard drive and let the
recipient put on their own copy of Windows or you should do a clean install
and then give them the installation media. Since you don't have the
installation media, you should wipe the drive with a free utility like
Darik's Boot and Nuke and let the recipient know the computer doesn't
currently have an operating system.

If this is an OEM machine (HP, eMachines, Sony, etc.) it may have a recovery
partition on the hard drive. In that case, use whatever method the OEM
specified to use the recovery process and return the machine to factory
condition. If the restore partition has been damaged, you can normally
order recovery disks from the OEM for a nominal amount.

Malke
 
i have a computer i would like to donate i have removed several
programs and also have purchased a program that is suppose to remove
all traces of my identity. it still has my name as the owner of the
windows xp home addition on the about windows screen. it will also
not let me delete the folder with my name on it under the documents &
setting program for my computer. i do not have a restore disk. any
suggestions on how i can remove my identity. the computer is not
accessible to the internet.
Click to expand...

Then you have to donate the computer with no software provided. Just
delete everything under your folder with your name on it. Or get a boot
disk from bootdisk.com and boot from it, then delete everything on both
drives.
If you know enough about Linux to use a CD Linux, then fine, but most
people don't. So just get a bootable CD together, boot, and delete
evrything.
 
nurse411 said:
i have a computer i would like to donate i have removed several programs
and
also have purchased a program that is suppose to remove all traces of my
identity. it still has my name as the owner of the windows xp home
addition
on the about windows screen. it will also not let me delete the folder
with
my name on it under the documents & setting program for my computer. i do
not have a restore disk. any suggestions on how i can remove my identity.
the computer is not accessible to the internet.
Click to expand...

I assume you want to donate a working computer rather than a doorstop as
others have suggested, which is what will happen when you delete the OS.

If Windows came pre-installed there is probably a way to restore the system
to the state it was when you first began using it.

If someone built the PC for you and installed it, or it was second hand,
this may not be the case.

If it is a retail version you could just re-install, but I am assuming you
don't have those skills.

I'm not sure about XP Home, but you could try logging on as Administrator,
and simply deleting your old account from the Administrator profile.

I haven't dealt with XP home much but as I understand you need to start in
safe mode to be able to logon as Administrator, but I'm sure someone here
can help with that. Password is usually blank, i.e. just hit the enter key.

You can just search the registry for your name and replace it that way, so
it will not appear in the About Windows screens, or in any other "Registered
to" screens for other, usually paid for, programs.


Once you decide what you want to do, post back for further instructions.
It's not difficult, and shouldn't take that long.
 
Format the drive then reinstall XP.

If you select not to: Go to Start/Run and type in: control userpasswords2
Under users for this computer delete your account.

Before doing so; however, if this is the only account ~ create a new User
account first under: Start/Run ~ control userpasswords

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Happy Birthday if today is your birthday!

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm
 
i have a computer i would like to donate i have removed several programs and
also have purchased a program that is suppose to remove all traces of my
identity. it still has my name as the owner of the windows xp home addition
on the about windows screen. it will also not let me delete the folder with
my name on it under the documents & setting program for my computer. i do
not have a restore disk. any suggestions on how i can remove my identity.
the computer is not accessible to the internet.
Click to expand...


It's quick and easy to FDisk and format the drive. You don't need to
include Windows when you donate your PC.
 
Back
Top