How do i format my pc a 100% without leaving any trace behind??

[King Arthur]

With all due respect, I strongly advise against following the advice of the two posts directly preceding me.

Trustworthy software-based solutions documented and recommended by trustworthy authors have been posted already in the first two posts. Beyond that, I have already mentioned that physical destruction of the HDD is the only proper answer remaining if a software-based solution is not satisfactory.

 

[AddRAM]

Just sell it without the hard drive, problem solved

I mean, if you are truly worried about it.

 

[JDobbsy1987]

I have already mentioned that physical destruction of the HDD is the only proper answer remaining if a software-based solution is not satisfactory.

Just sell it without the hard drive, problem solved

I mean, if you are truly worried about it.

I agree with these, if you are that concerned over data on a storage device being recovered and don't feel software will provide you with enough trust then don't sell it etc and just destroy the drive.

Regards,
Jamie

 

[Layback Bear]

Have we lost realmadrid25?

I would like to know the final decision on what method is used.

 

[gregrocker]

What are we talking about here? Why would you need to destroy all traces of data to where only sophisticated police forensics could retrieve it? If you have only the normal worries about bank and other personal data, then there is no reason you can't run Factory Recovery to hand the new owner the PC as it came from factory, or format to do a Clean Reinstall, adding at most http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html.

There is almost zero chance data could be recovered from either of those options. I've never been able to retrieve any readable data from a formatted HD. So everything else is tin-foil hat overkill, unless you really have something criminal to hide.

 

[Ztruker]

Looks like the OP has disappeared. Too bad as this is (was) an interesting topic.

 

[Layback Bear]

Here is a tutorial by Bare Foot Kid that should be helpful.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/172617-secure-erase-wipe-definition-methods.html

Here is another tutorial by Kari.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/197255-windows-7-installation-prepare-pc-sold.html

Greg that is why I posted this. It should take care of 99.9% of anybodies needs.

 

[spencer1]

Looks like the OP has disappeared. Too bad as this is (was) an interesting topic.

Guess he was a hit & run.