gaz1 Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 i have a laptop that i need to delete everything from it so i can sell it, (without worry ) how do you do it plz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyT Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 On start up press F2 (could be another F button tells you at bottom of screen) In the following screens you will find the option to reformat the hard drive. Do that and all will be cleared including the operating system. Re install the OS from your discs after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BASHTHEBISHOP Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 Would really depend on how permanent a delete you need, so how sensitive the data is that you have had on it? Only way to make 100% sure is to remove the hard disk. Otherwise formatting it and reloading windows is a good way. Or if its not very sensitive just work you way through deleting the data & all log files etc. Remove your internet provider software & any other software you have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 We use DBAN at work to securely format server hard discs. You can stick it on a bootable CD or memory stick. http://dban.sourceforge.net/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter richards Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 to much porn gaz lol:p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 http://www.ultimatebootcd.com - always useful to have around, contains a few utilities that will do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrDriver Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 Isn't it possible to recover data even after formatting? - P - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BASHTHEBISHOP Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 Isn't it possible to recover data even after formatting? - P - yes but more difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaz1 Posted January 19, 2008 Author Share Posted January 19, 2008 thanks guys its just i do online banking at cc purchases so passwords ect really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 Isn't it possible to recover data even after formatting? - P - Yes, that's why you use one of the tools mentioned above to write over every sector of the HDD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 DBAN overwrites several times and complies with some US DoD requirements or something. It would be extremely difficult (i.e. require dedicated data recovery stuff well beyond the means of normal users) or in fact impossible to recover any data. Just simply deleting something or even formatting a disc is generally trivial to recover all the information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseys Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 If you really want to be safe (and a bit paranoid) do a 7-level format. Most things cannot be recovered after that, it's very hard to get anything off the platters. I have seen some really paranoid people going for it US-Military style - 21 level format. But that can take several days... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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