[Koala77]

I intend getting rid of my old desk top computer, scanner and printer. They all work perfectly well, but I only use my lap top now and as I have a new scanner/printer, the others are now superfluous.

They're all too old to sell so I intend giving them to charity.

My questions are :

How do I delete all my files, emails etc, from the hard drive so the new owner cannot access my computer history?

Do I need to delete every single file one by one, or is there a quicker way? I have never cleaned my hard drive because I don't know how but I do clear my browsing history on shut down, but that's about the extent of my cleansing knowledge.

I have noticed an option to restore computer to factory settings. Is this what I use? Is there another way to delete everything?

Also....

I added more RAM to the desk top computer a little while back, by way of another card. Should I leave it in, or should I take it out before getting rid of the computer? If I remove it... how do I keep it, seeing I no longer have the magnetic (or anti-magnetic) pouch it came in?

I can't remember how many extra oomphs I added, but it was probably 2. The only reason I'd take it out would be if some-one else (or me) could use it. Might that card fit my laptop, or are the notches on the sides particular to desktops ?

My desktop is an HP pavillion, and my laptop a Dell.

[Jomar]

does your anti virus program have a secure shredding feature?

here's a list of secure shredder programs on cnet -
http://download.cnet.com/1770-2018_4...entNav;navForm


how to totally wipe your hard drive-
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&expIds=...9933d19f024e3b

You can also pull out the hard drive and keep it, then donate the rest of the computer.


For the RAM memory it is most likely a different type and won't work in a newer machine/laptop.

to double check you can look up what kind both machines have and see if it is the same or not.
system info should state what kind is installed.
or in the BIOS section

[Koala77]

Originally Posted by Jo*mar

does your anti virus program have a secure shredding feature?....

I don't know!

My old desk top runs Windows XP and I use McAfee as my scanner. I had a look at their home page, but couldn't see anything that looked like a shredding service.... so probably not.

Just so you know....... I laughed when I read that I could always pull out my hard drive and keep it!

Hard drive? What's a hard drive?
I have heard the term, but as an action (like pull out the hard drive), do you realise how alien that is to me?



IF I wipe my hard drive....... will there be any programs left?
Will the new owner be able to access the Internet, or an email server?
Would the screen be completely blank?
Will the factory installed progams still be available?

Can you tell I don't know an awful lot about the workings of computers?

I've bookmarked the sites you provided Jo*Mar and I'll check them out over the next few days. Thank you!
I do appreciate your help.

[Jomar]

found some more info and program names.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best...se-utility.htm


It really is simple to remove your hard drive, turn off computer, open the case {usually 2 screws & then slides open}
look for a metal rectangle about 4"x 6" and 1" thick with some cables plugged into it.
Just unplug the connectors & unscrew the little screws holding it in the case, pull it out and viola.

DC & DVD drives are usually up near the top and the Hard drive is in center or near bottom of case.

this site has info
http://www.ehow.com/how_4425468_remove-hard-drive.html

video too-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lVnFlFrqhE

[Koala77]

Thank you for that.

I can't do any of those things today, but hopefully tomorrow I'll have time to start checking them out.

I still have to remove photos and saved files, so this might take a while

[mrsD]

Most older computers have very small hard drives.

If anyone actually uses your donated computer, they would probably put in a newer bigger one anyway.

And Jo is right, about the RAM. I'd leave it. Today RAM is very inexpensive, and the size of the clips is tied to the type of computer you have and not interchangeable easily with others.

Basically if you remove the harddrive, the only things left are the motherboard with the working chip and your sound/video card.

I'd keep the hard drive myself. Some day you might want to retrieve the data.

Ask where you donate it ... how it will be used. I would think it would be taken apart for parts, as a likely scenario. My son used to do that, and rebuild new ones. Schools etc may use a donated one that way.

[Dejibo]

most computers have a way to roll it back to factory or new out of the box condition. Who makes your computer?

Go to the internet and google "your computer name and model" and ask how to reset to factory condition. usually its a matter of pressing one button when it starts up, and then following the prompts. it will remove all of YOUR information without destroying the programs that are on your machine, so others can use them.

Hope that helps.

[Koala77]

Originally Posted by Dejibo

most computers have a way to roll it back to factory or new out of the box condition. Who makes your computer? ....

Thanks Dej.

I do remember seeing a "Restore to Factory Settings" option on the computer, which is an HP by the way.

I will check this out if I decide not to remove the hard drive.

Thank you.

[Jomar]

I wonder if that factory restore setting does a secure deletion/shredding of files & your info??

I would do some Google searches for info on that before using that option for a computer you will be donating.

Normal deletion of files by accident or on purpose - can be recovered by file recovery programs - I've done it even after a reformat of the drive - I was able to use a free recovery program and get files, photos and programs back.

[Jomar]

found this program

[Darik's Boot and Nuke ("DBAN") is a self-contained boot disk that securely wipes the hard disks of most computers. DBAN will automatically and completely delete the contents of any hard disk that it can detect, which makes it an appropriate utility for bulk or emergency data destruction.]
http://www.dban.org/about