NBR-HOW DO I CLEAN UP MY PC SO I CAN SELL IT?

stirlinggaz · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Karma :

Hi all,
just sold my lap top via ebay + waiting on the cash before posting off.
just realised i didnt get a back up disc like you used to with pc's.
how do i "reset" my lap top?
i havnt got anything dodgy in it (even the porn is quite tame) but im more worried about financial stuff etc.
what can i do?
& bear in mind im fairly pc illiterate,
cheers,
GAZ
oh, its a dell inspiron with vista basic,if that makes any difference

ian789 · Crazy Courier Joined: 09 Apr 2010 Karma :

Doesn't pressing F11 on start up allow you to restore to factory settings?

It does on my HP don't know if it'll be different for you.

hmmmnz · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

download a new os win7 or xp pro and burn to disc
insert disc and
format the hard drive via instructions during new install
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stirlinggaz · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Karma :

Peirre oBollox · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 04 Aug 2004 Karma :

it would depend on which OS the OP has on the laptop.
theres loads of tutorials on youtube, just type in your laptop make, & OS, lets say Acer & windows XP and watch the results.
Though a word of caution, however nuber of times you reformat a PC, you will never fully erase the personnel data on it.
Any techno geek worth their salt can easily restore the erased data. Which may include passwords, online banking & more
The only sure fire way of covering your back, is to swop out the HDD with a relatively new one, and format that.

IMO I would never resell a PC with the original HDD inside
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Ichy · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

Just install the four discs, starting with disc 4.

njd27 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 14 May 2007 Karma :

A reinstall won't wipe out all of your data.

What you need is to download this bootable CD:

https://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

Boot off of it, then run Darik's Boot and Nuke.

Leave it to run for a while, your hard drive will be super clean.

Let the buyer worry about getting a new OS on it.

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Jeez... there is a Geek Zone forum, how hard is it to work out the best place to post this? Its not general bike chat, its not off road or supermoto, its not touring and exploration, and being there is a Geek Zone, its not Random banter.

It aint rocket science is it?
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JAMSXR · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Jan 2007 Karma :

stirlinggaz · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Karma :

Alex A · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Karma :

Just use your install discs, starting with 'Operating System'. If it asks you whether you want to format your Hard Disk, say yes. If not, when it's completed the install and you're back in windows go to:

My Computer
c:\

Select the folder called Windows.old and delete it. Then empty the recycle bin.

Unless the new buyer has am unusual and perverse desire to retrieve your documents and has the technical knowledge and skills required to do so (very unlikely), you're fine.

You probably don't need to bother with Power DVD or Microsoft Works discs. And the drivers and utilities disc probably isn't required either so long as you let Vista connect to the internet and enable it to update the drivers.
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Casper · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jul 2010 Karma :

Go to your laptops web page. stick in your model in the support page and look for how to do this if you are not sure. It is an easy job but as you have not did this before you might fuck it up. Dont worry as you will not fuck the computer just the OS Which can easly be repaired with the disk you have. Shame you are not in my area i would do it for you.

Mr.Everready · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Karma :

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

rodeobob · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 23 Nov 2009 Karma :

I was thinking more a really big effin hammer but that would do the trick as well.
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The Original Muzza · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Jan 2009 Karma :

Just take the cover off and run a magnet around the components. Data is magnetic and will attach to the magnet, then you can lick the data off and be even more intelligent.
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Deckx · Nearly there... Joined: 09 Apr 2007 Karma :

Easy enough to clear all your internet browsing habits under "tools" in IE... This should clear away all your passwords and any deviant websites that you've been frequenting Laughing

All of your personnel stuff will be stored in "My Documents" so backup if required and delete contents in all folders and then empty recycle bin...

If you're paranoid that the new owner is going to make the effort to retrieve and piece together all your deleted crap.. you can probably download some freeware from "tucows.com" for a more permanent delete.