selling old laptop, what steps do i need to take to uninstall everything?

[cichlidkeeper91]

I wasnt talking to just you, I was talking to the guy who started this thread also, because he didnt really know much about the whole process.

Well I knew what that means. sorry then if you weren't talking to me.

 

[lancec2c30]

but if he doesnt formatting erase the OS also? and if he doenst have a disk wouldnt it become a useless laptop??

 

[cichlidkeeper91]

but if he doesnt formatting erase the OS also? and if he doenst have a disk wouldnt it become a useless laptop??

No you just download windows again.

 

[EricB]

use powermax in my signature to do a full erase

 

[Disillusion]

but if he doesnt formatting erase the OS also? and if he doenst have a disk wouldnt it become a useless laptop??

Whatever utility you use, just make sure it's set to do the wipe more than one time. You can never completely erase all the data on the HDD, but you can make it nearly impossible for anyone who isn't in the government to get that data back.

 

[kfc469]

I think the FBI/CIA repeat this process something like 17 times before they deem their computers data free when they are selling them to the general public.

If they think that 17 times is enough then I think that that will be more than enough for you.

 

[EricB]

the government standard is 7, but most people can't get by powermax wiping it once

 

[kfc469]

the government standard is 7

eh 7, 17 close enough. there all the same right??

 

[cichlidkeeper91]

the government standard is 7, but most people can't get by powermax wiping it once

Have you done your powermax thing? Does completely erase the hole hard drive? And why do you have to put it on a disk first before you can use it?

 

[EricB]

Have you done your powermax thing? Does completely erase the hole hard drive? And why do you have to put it on a disk first before you can use it?

yes