techie advice needed

[mex]

selling the PC off and getting a new one soon. I want to sell the PC wihout compromising my privacy/confidentiality.

I need a program that will TOTALLY clean the PC so that absolutely nothing is left lingering. I have quite a lot of personal info (work/bank stuff etc) stored and want to make sure no one can 'snoop' and recover any of it. I also want to make sure all of my previous surfing histories/habits are totally erased. I do use cleaners like Window Washer and Cyberscrub, but cant be arsed with them that often, so there's probably quite a lot of stuff still lingering around on the hard disk.

Any advice from the bgafd lads would be great

thanks lads
Mex

[Mick Handy]

re-format the hard drive and re-install windows is the only sure way of making sure your info is cleaned off.

[nosey]

Does that literally clean everything off???. Or are there some secret places that only system suppliers and the constabulary can access or even the repairers if your PC breaks down?. What concerns me is why certain people have been brought to court over stuff they had on their PC which was found by the repairers. Why should they be looking for these things??. Surely it is none of their business what is on a person's computer, or are they legally obliged to search for such things??

[IdolDroog]

reformatting is the only proper way because ur starting afresh arent u - i think ppl like gary glitter are only found because they leave the files lying around although to be honest whatever uve got on ur computer...even if uve got 100000 songs and years of other things if theres any child porn on there ud be a fucking idiot to let neone get a hold of it (and a cunt to have it at all)...............they only "find" things cos they might have a lil sniff around...for example ive got porn on my desktop but id just reinstall windows rather than send it to a workshop uncleaned

[nosey]

If as in my case I upgraded from Windows 98 to ME can I simply use the upgrade to clean my hard disk or do I have use 98 then ME upgrade????

[Lizard]

An upgrade will not necessarily(sp) erase previous history, some files for instance will just be upgraded, as in microsoft wordpad, to microsoft word, and any mpegs, avi,s movies etc will still be there etc, as will cookies history, so, the only sure way is to re-format the whole C drive, then re-install a new operating system on it.
Of course you could always sell it to a copper with the porn on it!, they will probably be quite grateful, coppers love porn!

[woodgnome]

formatting your hard drive will NOT eradicate beyond recall information held on your h/d. the only 110% sure way of achieving this is to remove the said h/d and smash it into pieces.

otherwise, i would recommend using 'Wizard Industries Sure Delete ' (link in lizard's locker under 'miscellany'). this programme will overwrite data held on your h/d to the point where it is theoretically irrecoverable.

[Deuce Bigolo]

Why not contact the manufacturer of your computer?

If anybody is going to know for sure they should

Just say your selling your computer and want to erase all personal/private
details such as bank accounts etc

I assume you've considered just upgrading?

cheers
B....OZ

PS Which email addy do you want Cheryls pics sent to

buttsie458867@iprimus.com.au

[Lizard]

Also BC wipe, if you use it in 'industrial' mode will pretty much clean it up, or at least overwrite all files to the point of no return........ a deep canal will also do the trick!

[nosey]

I think your idea of removing the hard drive is the best way. You can then install a larger capacity drive and a complete new system suitable for the the maximum configuration your computer will take. Hard drives are not too expensive nowadays are they?