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I'm selling my Laptop....but how do I COMPLETELY wipe EVERYTHING off it?!

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Old 01-02-2008, 23:47   #1
Master Ozzy
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I'm selling my Laptop....but how do I COMPLETELY wipe EVERYTHING off it?!
I'm selling my laptop on eBay, but I want to completely wipe everything off it, as I don't want to end up being a victim of identity theft or anything like that lol. I want to basically wipe the whole laptop clean and revert it back to the state it was in when I first bought it. Any tips?
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Old 01-02-2008, 23:51   #2
whoever,hey
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A microwave oven?
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Old 01-02-2008, 23:51   #3
steveOooo
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just format the drive but choose to write 1s or 0s over the data (takes a while)- quickest format i think still keeps the data on there.

osx - utilities - disc utility select mac hdd, erase, then choose ur erase method
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Old 01-02-2008, 23:54   #4
agentz
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If it's a Windows laptop I'd go for DBAN'ing it (Darik's Boot and Nuke) which is a free download boot CD that has a number of wipe options and is (reputedly) very secure. Blitz the drive and reinstall Windows if you feel generous.

Just google DBAN - it's the first thing that comes up.
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Old 02-02-2008, 11:27   #5
Loobster
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You can get some ideas from this thread:

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...d.php?t=491304
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Old 02-02-2008, 13:48   #6
TheBigM
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Some of the computer charities use Blancco software.
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Old 02-02-2008, 14:12   #7
Pr1s0n 13reak
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steveOooo View Post
just format the drive but choose to write 1s or 0s over the data (takes a while)- quickest format i think still keeps the data on there.

osx - utilities - disc utility select mac hdd, erase, then choose ur erase method
Why would he be crazy enough to sell a mac!?
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Old 02-02-2008, 15:20   #8
mollymorals
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Originally Posted by Pr1s0n 13reak View Post
Why would he be crazy enough to sell a mac!?
ive never actually dared to ask what the difference is
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Old 02-02-2008, 15:48   #9
Orbitalzone
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steveOooo View Post
just format the drive but choose to write 1s or 0s over the data (takes a while)- quickest format i think still keeps the data on there.

osx - utilities - disc utility select mac hdd, erase, then choose ur erase method
I get the feeling this is a rather tongue in cheek answer...

Good luck Windows users.



Indeed, who sells their shiny Mac laptop!?
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Old 02-02-2008, 18:35   #10
DEmmerson
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Install Spybot search and destroy and use it's function of deleting files so they can't be recovered. Then use your installation disk to re-install Windows.
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Old 02-02-2008, 19:09   #11
PeppermintPatty
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Quote:
Originally Posted by agentz View Post
If it's a Windows laptop I'd go for DBAN'ing it (Darik's Boot and Nuke) which is a free download boot CD that has a number of wipe options and is (reputedly) very secure. Blitz the drive and reinstall Windows if you feel generous.

Just google DBAN - it's the first thing that comes up.
Here, I've done it for you. This is supposed to be an excellent tool, though I've never used it myself.
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Old 05-02-2008, 22:35   #12
Woodclanland
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Yep dban all the way..
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