Is it worth completely cleaning my HDD/SSD when selling my pc?

rhysneville · Jun 20, 2014

Selling my PC tomorrow and I want to erase everything, I've read that you should use programs like DBAN to get rid of hidden data that could be left on the drive.
Is that the best course of action for me?

I want to completely clean it all, THEN re-install my OEM Windows 7 from my disk.
Should be okay, right?

Just wondering what you guys would advise me on doing. Thanks!

Wendeng · Jun 20, 2014

When you reinstall win 7 you can reformat those drives not sure if it will wipe everything(hidden files)

notherdude · Jun 20, 2014

rhysneville :

It's easy enough to do and then you can rest easy none of your private info could be dug out. Simply erasing and reformatting does not do a secure erase and much of your old data could be restored. Just depends on how safe you want to be.

rhysneville · Jun 20, 2014

notherdude :

So you'd advise me on going ahead and using DBAN? That's the most suitable?

And I'll have no problems reinstalling an OEM windows 7?

rhysneville · Jun 20, 2014

Wendeng :

Yeah I know, it doesn't get rid of the hidden files permanently though, they can still be retrieved

notherdude · Jun 20, 2014

Dban will do it, there are many options like that, whatever is easiest for you. Re installing a legit copy of OEM Windows on exact same hardware should be a slam dunk but if it won't activate you will get a phone number to call and they should send you right through.

rhysneville · Jun 20, 2014

notherdude :

That's awesome, thanks a lot!

Last question haha..

I want to wipe my HDD THEN my SSD, because the SSD is the OS drive and I'd rather that gone last.
What's the best way to do it? Unplugging or will there be a setting in dban? Never had to use anything like this before..

notherdude · Jun 20, 2014

rhysneville :

Dban will give you a menu and it should be obvious which drive is which and how to select it but the safest way is to unplug the drive you want to do last, just in case you get confused or make a mistake. I always unplug because sometimes I just screw things up when I get a little nervous

rhysneville · Jun 20, 2014

notherdude :

rhysneville :

Dban will give you a menu and it should be obvious which drive is which and how to select it but the safest way is to unplug the drive you want to do last, just in case you get confused or make a mistake. I always unplug because sometimes I just screw things up when I get a little nervous

Alright good stuff, thank you, I doubt it will matter what drive I do in what order anyways!

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