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    format hard drive/permanently erase files

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by gary1958, Dec 7, 2007.

  1. gary1958

    gary1958 Notebook Guru

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    I have a 6 year old desktop that I am no longer using. I'll either be displosing it or donating it away. What I would like to do is TOTALLY wipe off everything on it and then perhaps re-install windows xp. Is there a simple way to do this? Is their available free or inexpensive software for this/

    Thank in advance


    Gary
     
    gary1958, Dec 7, 2007
    #1
  2. Voodoofreak

    Voodoofreak Notebook Deity

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    When installing Windows XP on it, you will have an option to delete the partition and format the hard-drive at the setup screen. That will basically erase all the data.
     
    Voodoofreak, Dec 7, 2007
    #2
  3. bmwrob

    bmwrob Notebook Virtuoso

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    Use Dban. Read all instructions and advice first.
     
    bmwrob, Dec 7, 2007
    #3
  4. irock292

    irock292 Notebook Enthusiast

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    +1

    Another vote for DBAN here!
     
    irock292, Dec 8, 2007
    #4
  5. sbarnet

    sbarnet Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am in the midst of trying to do the same thing. I get stuck at the partition screen. Do I delete the partitions? what comes next?
     
    sbarnet, Jan 6, 2008
    #5
  6. JCMS

    JCMS Notebook Prophet

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    yes you delete it then it will create an "unalocated space" that you can create new partitions from it
     
    JCMS, Jan 6, 2008
    #6
  7. orev

    orev Notebook Virtuoso

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    No, it will NOT. Stop telling people this. Formatting a disk does not erase anything at all. Recovering the data is trivial after a format has been done.

    See my "cleaning free space of disk drives" guide for more information.
     
    orev, Jan 7, 2008
    #7