Thread: Easy Way to Clean a HD of data and FireSale Info

I have been given an assignment of cleaning a bunch of old data from some old XP desktops and selling them on craigslist. Since the computers were used for business what is the best way to clean all data off of a HD without reinstalling?

On that same note....in anyone needs a dell cheap desktop computer, monitor, and other office equipment let me know.

only if I get data ;-)

Originally Posted by nosoupforyou

only if I get data ;-)

Sure...its probably all credit card information for cards that have been cancelled and are negative balance.

There is no way of cleaning that data off the disk without wiping it (formatting). Otherwise, its very likely the files can be retrieved. I would suggest looking at Darik's Boot And Nuke | Hard Drive Disk Wipe and Data Clearing . Thats the product I use to wipe systems. Especially if there is sensitive data such as credit card numbers of social security numbers on there.

Right click -> Format

Format does not permanently delete your data. It can easily be recovered.

Originally Posted by Creeping Death

Format does not permanently delete your data. It can easily be recovered.

Oh....fail.

There are freeware programs out there which will wipe data with DoD level wipes. Assuming you have the sensetive data stored in a couple of folders, just let the program wipe those folders clean.

Although I have heard and used Darik's Boot and Nuke to wipe a hard drive, there isn't a 100% guaranteed way of keeping someone from seeing contents except for taking a sledgehammer to it. Darik's is a close second.