Selling my comp, how do I delete data safely?

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sunhashin

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Aug 17, 2010
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I am selling my computer on craigslist and want to delete all the data, but I heard that data can be recovered using basic recovery software. Does this mean that they can access my old saved passwords and such?

Are there any ways to delete all old files without physically damaging the hdd or sdd?
 
Solution
M
Hi
look at the Intel site for suitable software or do a Windows full Format (with Vista or 7 or 8)
then put the drive into your new PC or a USB 3 tray and have super fast backup device
Even if the SSD is SATA II it is still so much faster than a hard disk it is not obsolete


regards
Mike Barnes
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mbarnes86

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Sep 16, 2010
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Hi

Do you have a recovery partition or original Windows disks or a set of recovery disks ?

If so use something like DBAN to wipe the partitions (or if you have DVD's) the whole hard disk.

A single pass will do
(multiple passes only needed on very old hard disks from 1980's or 1990's)

Once this has been done no one outside of NSA will be able to recover anything from the hard disk

Re install Windows but leave all the updates to the new owner.
This is so the PC can be demonstrated working


However erasing SSD's are more problematic probably best to keep it or physically destroy it. The manufacturers often have specific programs for Testing & wiping SSD's

Alternative for hard disks from:-
Seagate, Western Digital, Hitachi, Fujitsu & Samsung who have diagnostic programs with the option to over-write the whole hard disk while doing a destructive test

regards

Mike Barnes
 
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sunhashin

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Aug 17, 2010
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I don't know what recovery disks are but I do have a windows disk and I just burned dban onto a cd.

The 2 storage devices I need wiped out are my western digitial caviar black and my intel maplecrest 240gb ssd.

I read that I should not run dban on an ssd. I have had important files on my ssd with pictures of my ss and license etc. Any way to secure the destruction of these files without physically damaging it? or am i just sol on this one
 
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M

mbarnes86

Splendid
Sep 16, 2010
3,839
7
26,965
Hi
look at the Intel site for suitable software or do a Windows full Format (with Vista or 7 or 8)
then put the drive into your new PC or a USB 3 tray and have super fast backup device
Even if the SSD is SATA II it is still so much faster than a hard disk it is not obsolete


regards
Mike Barnes
 
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Solution
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sunhashin

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Aug 17, 2010
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18,630
thanks guys. I feel like im getting somewhere now..

Let me know if this is the right step by step process..

1. reformat windows onto ssd and delete previous partitions on both ssd and hdd.
2. run dban and wipe out hdd
3. start up computer and install intel ssd toolbox
4. run secure erase
5. Meet up with the buyer and confidently sell

Is this about right or should i do one of the steps before or after another step? Did I also miss anything in between?
 
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