Old computer to give away

[anneatreads]

I have an old computer which I have said I will give to someone but can anyone tell me how I can get evertything of mine off there. I have deleted quite a lot of the programmes but am worried that there may still be some stiuff on there which could be a security risk.

[Daisho]

Dariks boot and nuke.

www.dban.org

That will shift it all.

[ChuckFickens]

if you are serious about getting all traces of your data off it then your only option is to perform a secure wipe of the hard drive (which will also leave it without windows on the drive)

http://www.dban.org/

[ChuckFickens]

Well at least we agree :)

[Daisho]

That was perfect sycronicity.

[VHG]

As has been said, it is almost impossible to remove all traces of personal files off a hard disk without removing Windows as well (Windows keeps all sorts of hidden, secret and temporary files, any of which could hold personal details).

Even a reinstall of Windows with a format will not remove all personal data.

As has been said, you need a program like dban that writes "rubbish" over the hard disk hundreds of times to remove all traces of personal data.

p.s. Anyone who sells or gives away a PC without doing this is leaving themselves open for identity theft and so on.