Computers & Tablets

[buddy1992]

I have a hp pavilion 762n with a windows xp 2002 home edition, and I want to donate it to a school. How do I clean the hard drive?

[asandwhich]

Clean? do you mean wipe contents? or remove all of your files?

[buddy1992]

I have some files I will remove and then wipe out contents

[asandwhich]

Even the operating system? wouldn't the school want that?

[buddy1992]

Yes I want to keep the operating system and the windows home office 2003 if I can. I can not find the original software or any recovery cds

[asandwhich]

I would think going through and deleting everything would be sufficient. Check with the school. If they supply the operating system, then you could just wipe the entire drive, but if they don't, delete only your files.

[buddy1992]

do you think CCleaner freeware would do the trick?

[RealGeorgeW Valued Expert]

No, CCleaner is only meant for removing temp files.

If you want total peace of mind you need to format the drive and reinstall the OS to return it to factory settings. That or just wipe the hard drive and let the school install it's own copy.

[RedWyv3 Best Buy Employee]

1. Take out drive.

2. Wipe clean with dish soap.

3. Buff to a high shine.

Kidding. Seriously through, there is NO SAFE AND RELIABLE way to totally remove all information off a hard drive. A reformat will clear the directory of files so they are unseen, but the data will still be there. Overwriting it over and over (minimum of 4 times) will clear it, but that takes massive time and is still not 100% reliable.

Of course, most people arn't going to TRY to retrieve your information.

But, if you have something on there that is very sensetive (corporate secrets, financial or personal data, etc), I suggest you use the old 'high speed electric drill' method, and then reinforce this by a sledgehammer.

If the data you have is NOT that sensetive (just embarrasing, like family photos, etc), use a program that writes data on the drive at random (entire drive) 4 times at least, and then forget about it.

[asandwhich]

What jake said, I doubt the students will know that the comp was donated and try to retrieve last years turbo tax form. If so, I have found high power neodymium magnets to do an excelent job of destroying data. I've got one if you wanna borrow it lol.