Easiest way to securely wipe hard drive and reformat laptop for resale

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  1. Posts : 84
    windows 7
       #1

    Easiest way to securely wipe hard drive and reformat laptop for resale


    Hi,

    I'm planning to sell my old laptop after I transfer my files to a new one. Then I would like to sell the old laptop. I want to make sure though that none of the old data is accessible or "un-deletable" by hackers and the like. I also want to make sure I wipe the old laptop correctly so that it still functions.

    I have all my original installation and driver disks, so is there any recommendations on how to go about this?

    I ask because I'm not sure if the usual reformatting/clean install of windows will completely get rid of old data on the computer.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,018
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #2

    You're absolutely correct in thinking that. You can use a utility like KillDisk (Active@ Kill Disk Hard Drive Eraser. Low Level Format.). Essentially, it will eliminate everything on the hard disk and replace it with zeros in each sector. They have both a Windows and DOS (Bootable) utility. One run should deter most hackers but if you want added security, you can run through it three times or to the US Department of Defense standard where they will consider it unrecoverable, which is seven times.

    After that, you can use your recovery media to reinstall the OS and its applications and updates and what not.
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  3. Posts : 521
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Service Pack 1
       #3

    As an added alternative, you can also use Darik's Boot And Nuke | Hard Drive Disk Wipe and Data Clearing. It's my personal preference when doing what you are stating or even when simply formatting. Let us know if you need more help.
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  4. Posts : 467
    Seven ultimate 32bit
       #4

    You might want to check out some applications from HDDGURU sure you'll find what you're looking for... And welcome to the Forums.
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  5. Posts : 84
    windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thank you for the replies, I was reading online that after wiping, I need to "repartition" the hard drive, run "fdisk" and things like that. Are these all included in the recovery disks? I'm hoping I can just run the wiping program a few times and then just pop in the recovery CD's and be done with it...

    Thank you again everyone for your help, who needs "stay on the line for an hour while I transfer you to an outsourced agent who will transfer you again" customer service when you have the Windows 7 Forums?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 521
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Service Pack 1
       #6

    win7user2010 said:
    Thank you for the replies, I was reading online that after wiping, I need to "repartition" the hard drive, run "fdisk" and things like that. Are these all included in the recovery disks? I'm hoping I can just run the wiping program a few times and then just pop in the recovery CD's and be done with it...

    Thank you again everyone for your help, who needs "stay on the line for an hour while I transfer you to an outsourced agent who will transfer you again" customer service when you have the Windows 7 Forums?
    Which laptop do you have exactly? If we have that info, we might be able to tell you how to do a factory restore of your laptop afterward.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 84
    windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #7

    It is an ASUS F3Sa notebook, also I still have the recovery cd's.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 521
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Service Pack 1
       #8

    win7user2010 said:
    It is an ASUS F3Sa notebook, also I still have the recovery cd's.
    Here, try this out mate
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 84
    windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #9

    @oreo27 , I think what you intended to write is missing?
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 1,018
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #10

    The recovery CDs should take care of any partiotining or formatting needed to restore it to its factory preset state. If you want to do your own custom partitions, you can use a program like Partition Magic in Windows XP or the built-in partition tools for Vista or 7 (if you're using those operating systems). As far as fdisk, I haven't used that since the Win 9x days.
      My Computer


 
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