Selling PC - How do I erase all info on the HD?

bookimdano · 02-12-05, 04:16 PM

I need some advice but don't know of any tech forum to trust other the Aximsite. Maybe a few here can help.

I recently purchased a new PC and will be selling my old one. There are two things I want to do.

1. Remove all info, pics, video etc. from the old machine before I sell it. Will reformatting the hard drive accomplish this? After reformatting, can somebody still retrieve my old files or information I had on that machine?

2. There are a few things I want to transfer over to the new computer. Are there any programs that would expidite this? (Maybe I don't need a program?) I don't want to just transfer everything over to the new PC because I'm sure there is alot of garbage on it. I have a floppy drive and a CD burner on the old machine.

3. Can you recommend any other forums or sites on the web would help me obtain more info?

Would greatly appreciate any advice.

Dan

cribbagewiz · 02-12-05, 04:27 PM

Reformatting won't protect you by itself. What you need to do is overwrite the information several times to ensure it is actually gone.

Eraser is a freeware app I have used. I like it because it not only includes several different algorithms for overwriting your drive, it lets you define custom methods as well.

http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/download.php

Not sure how to expidite copying data back. I suppose you could define a huge RAMdisk and copy back from that, but that just seems like too much effort. An external USB2.0 hard drive would be an easy and fast way to move data around, if you have one.

bookimdano · 02-12-05, 04:58 PM

Thanks for the quick reply!

Is Eraser something I would use before I reformat and then reinstall XP?

Or maybe I don't have to reformat if I use Eraser? The computer seems slower than when it was new so I'll guess I should reformat and reinstall XP to get it in the best shape before I sell it.

02-12-05, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by bookimdano

Is Eraser something I would use before I reformat and then reinstall XP?

that is correct. eraser wipes the hard drive by writing zeros to each sector. after it finishes, put the winxp installation cd in the cdrom, restart the computer (boot from the cdrom) and winxp setup will format the hard disk for you

if you have any problems or questions, pm me and i'll walk you through it :approve:

wmcjhi · 02-12-05, 05:54 PM

By far the easiest thing to do is a low level format ...insert a 98 boot disc, then type "format c: /u" at the prompt.

02-12-05, 06:17 PM

isn't there a way you can network both computers using an ethernet cable to transfer data quickly? i think i read this somewhere...

wmcjhi · 02-12-05, 06:20 PM

Yes, you can use a crossover cat-5 cable.

mudeater · 02-12-05, 07:04 PM

I use accessdata wipe drive 3.0 I bought it for about 20 bucks from the bx. Connect the 2 machines on a network would be one of the easiest ways to move the data unlees you have a external harddrive or just want to use itas a reason to buy one.

bookimdano · 02-12-05, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by wmcjhi

By far the easiest thing to do is a low level format ...insert a 98 boot disc, then type "format c: /u" at the prompt.

My system is an XP home ed. Just curious what a 98 Boot Disc is. Would it work with an XP system? Or are you saying just to make a boot disc?

What does the "format c: /u" command do? Does it overwrite the hard disc to make files unrecoverable? Or does it reformat the hard drive without the extra step of reinstalling XP? Kind of like resetting XP back to its original settings?

Sorry if this doesn't make sense. I know a little about computers but I'm nowhere near an expert.

Also, thanks for the ethernet cable advice! I was going to transfer files by burning cd's but if I can hook the two computers via ethernet it certainly would save time. Are you aware of any websites with a tutorial teaching how to link the two computers together. (a network?)

Thanks again for the help!

Dan

P.S. I'm gonna go make coffee and watch the Lawrence Welk show on PBS now.

bookimdano · 02-12-05, 11:31 PM

Ok, I found two 25' crossover cable at Staples. But I can't tell the difference between them. One is more expensive than the other. Here are links:

http://www.staples.com/Catalog/Brows...&Sku=IM1104234

and

http://www.staples.com/Catalog/Brows...e=1&Sku=495225

Can you tell any difference?

P.S. Bobby and Sissy were FABULOUS

bookimdano · 02-13-05, 12:12 AM

I've been doing some research and found an easy to understand "How to" article at Microsoft:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u.../getsetup.mspx

Here is an excerpt dealing with networking between two computers:

Ethernet network: what you'll need
For two computers:
•

Network cards for each computer
•

Crossover cable

Networking only two computers together? With Ethernet technology, a two-computer network is the simplest of all to install. Each computer needs an Ethernet network card inside, and then you can run a crossover cable between them. That's it! It's not much different than plugging an appliance into the wall. Note that an Ethernet crossover cable is not the same thing as an Ethernet patch cable. We'll cover patch cables next.
__________________________________________

Sounds pretty simple.
:approve:

cribbagewiz · 02-14-05, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by wmcjhi

By far the easiest thing to do is a low level format ...insert a 98 boot disc, then type "format c: /u" at the prompt.

That's not exactly a "low-level" format, though, and if the person is truly concerned with data being recovered from a drive no longer in their possession, then a little paranoia isn't a bad thing. Over-writing the entire disk several times is a little time-consuming, but worth it.

reese · 02-14-05, 10:43 AM

if you want it to be UNRECOVERABLE! just download autoclave. Will do continual wipes of your HD with different patterns... Boasts that it is secure against the NSA.

IF you dont care if other people see your data, just format.