how do i erase my harddrive

[Guest]

i am having some trouble with my laptop and am planning on returning it for a
new one. I first want to erase my memory to be safe. i am not sure how to do
that. can you help?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

i am having some trouble with my laptop and am planning on
returning it for a new one. I first want to erase my memory to be
safe. i am not sure how to do that. can you help?

Use the recovery CD/Windows installation CD you got with the laptop to
re-install the OS and everything that was on it originally.
While that may not make it unaccessible for a forensics expert to get - for
the casual observer - it will make it extremely difficult.

Want more of a finality feeling?
http://dban.sourceforge.net/

 

[Bruce Chambers]

i am having some trouble with my laptop and am planning on returning it for a
new one. I first want to erase my memory to be safe. i am not sure how to do
that. can you help?

To protect your personal information and data from any future users
of average skills, you should, at the very least, format the hard drive
and reinstall the OS and any applications that are being sold along with
the computer. If you wish to do a more thorough job of protecting your
friend's 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. A quick Google search should also lead you to several
other similar products.


--

Bruce Chambers

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