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    Need advice on completely reformating and erasing HD

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by bargainbtch, Nov 19, 2007.

  1. bargainbtch

    bargainbtch Notebook Enthusiast

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    Tried a search but didn't find anything. I have a really old laptop that I want to try to sell or donate and want to completely remove any traces of my personal information for it. I have the recovery disks and need to know what software to use to wipe out everything and if I should do that before or after running the recovery disks (which came with the laptop). There are so many options online, I want someones personal advice. I read you need to use something that rewrites over the hard drive several times to make sure your data can not be recovered. Any suggestions?

    Thanks

    BTW - you guys are so helpful on here I have been spending all my fatwallet forum reading time, reading here. I'm hooked.
     
    bargainbtch, Nov 19, 2007
    #1
  2. bmwrob

    bmwrob Notebook Virtuoso

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    Dban is about as good as it gets for wiping drives. If you decide to use it, read all the instructions, warnings, advice, etc, beforehand.
     
    bmwrob, Nov 19, 2007
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  3. nobscot6

    nobscot6 Wise One

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    nobscot6, Nov 23, 2007
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