How do I clean my computer before giving it away?

Question

I know I can't just delete all my files cos clever people can 'undelete' them. Anyone recommend any software for completely wiping the drives?

Answer 1

if you delete them and empty the recycle bin then nobody can get them. there gone! DELETED!

but if you want to delete all the jpg's that print screen every web page you go on. go to http://www.ccleaner.com

Answer 2

if your giving it away i would take the harddrive out and destroy it or put it in your new pc.  That way no one else is going to get it.  Best and easiest way.  As there is no way to completly dispose of data on a harddrive with software there are still traces.  Destroying or putting in your new computer would be best.

Answer 3

BIG magnet...

failing that, type Format MBR at the run prompt. this wipes the master boot record, and believe me, unless youre plod looking at gary glitters computer, its clean... and more importantly , unrecoverable.

emptying the recycle bin wont do anything, apart from empty the recycle bin... and simply formatting the HD is equally useless..

the safest way is to bin the HD, after youve put a hammer thru it... but why not buy a USB cradle and use it, on your new PC as a backup drive... and gte the new owner to replace the hard drive..20 quid for an 80megabyte HD...

and he'll need and OS, and the drivers and the motherboard files... coz without them, it wont even boot to a prompt.

Answer 4

Here's one:

http://wizardrecovery.com/free_wipe/free...

It completely wipes your hard drive.  

Answer 5

webroot window washer

Answer 6

There is a neat program called "EraserPortable" that will PERMANENTLY delete any thing you have recycled. (It takes awhile)

P.s. "clever" people use "Undelete Plus"

I hope this helps

Answer 7

format or unpartiotion the hard disk so you go back to point zero

Answer 8

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkl9tlLVILz...

Get yourself a blank CD disk and download this program on to it for free then boot up your computer with it and it will erase you entire hard drive.

Answer 9

Clean it here http://wizardrecovery.com/free_wipe/free...

give it away many ways;

http://www.sellit-right.com  

http://www.amazon.com  

http://www.ebay.co.uk

hope that helped

Answer 10

fdisc and its gone...normally....even then they can be brought back...i recomend destroying the hard drive if you have very important files on it...

Answer 11

format it ,,put in the os cd,then restart pressing f12

Answer 12

windoline and a cloth. Heh i derserve more points cos my cat is nicer than the first answerers  . It has fleas