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wiping a computer before selling


kevpc

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hi all. i want to pick some brains, if it's ok and hope someone can advise please

 

i want to sell a computer, having recently bought another one. before  selling the old one, i want to ensure there are no programs or files left on the system drive (a 120gb OCZ SSD) or the data drive (a 300gb WD Black HDD).

would someone advise me as to the best software and way to complete erase the HDD, then format ready for data to be added at a later date and the same with the SSD prior to me installing a fresh copy of Windows 7 Ultimate?

 

i have downloaded from here Active Killdisk and Active Boot Disk, but as i haven't used them before, am really unsure as to what to do and how to do it.

 

hope someone can advise, please

 

many TIA

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Yes, you've chosen the best tools.
 

Here are the manuals:

Active Kill Disk:
Guide for Active Kill Disk

FAQ for Active Kill Disk

 

Active Boot Disk:

Manual for Active Boot Disk

FAQ for Active Boot Disk

 

Just scam the Manual & FAQ and follow the Manual/Guide according to your needs. You won't have any issues.

 

If you still have any issues or queries while doing it, just post it here and you'll surely get help.

 

@kevpc Just a reminder, please use Like/Thanks instead of a new thanks post. Read announcement here.

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1 hour ago, Onixra said:

Just install a new fresh OS straight from BIOS and format before installing a new OS..

Data can still be retrieved doing just that. Kill Disk or O&O already mentioned above is the way to go.

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I would prefer HDDGURU Low Level Format Tool

 

Quote

Supported OS: MS Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, Server 2003, 2008, 2008R2

HDD Low Level Format Tool is a utility for low-level hard disk drive formatting.

 

  • Supported interfaces: S-ATA (SATA), IDE (E-IDE), SCSI, SAS, USB, FIREWIRE.
  • Big drives (LBA-48) are supported.
  • Supported Manufacturers: Maxtor, Hitachi, Seagate, Samsung, Toshiba, Fujitsu, IBM, Quantum, Western Digital, and almost any other not listed here.
  • The program also supports low-level formatting of FLASH cards (SD, MMC, MemoryStick and CompactFlash) using a card-reader.

This HDD Low Level Format utility is free for home use. It can erase and Low-Level Format a SATA, IDE, SAS, SCSI or SSD hard disk drive. Will also work with any USB and FIREWIRE external drive enclosures as well as SD, MMC, MemoryStick and CompactFlash media.

An option to quickly wipe partitions and MBR data is available.

WARNING: After running this low level format tool, the whole disk surface will be erased.
Data restoration is impossible after using this utility!

 

I created a Win8.1SE_x64.ISO (including medicine) to use HDD LLF from a USB stick

 

Site: https://mega.co.nz

Sharecode[?]: /#!eJQ20Z6I!AAAAAAAAAABOPa-8KanXmwAAAAAAAAAATj2vvCmp15s

 

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Never sell your hard disk, you never know what skills or equipment the buyer possesses. just add them to your newer system or buy a drill and securely get rid of them. 300gb hard disk is worth nothing.

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appreciate the advice from everyone. tnx guys. i think a proper disk eraze is the safe bet on the HDD, then format it ready for data input when needed. then i'll look at the OCZ tool, see what it has for wiping but also consider the tools already mentioned. the decider for me will be being able to select the best option within a program, ie, it isn't too unclear which option to use and the usage instructions are also very clear. i dont mean to sound thick, i hope i'm not but some software is so complicated to use, it makes you give up before starting! lol

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The only one I have seen with the ability to wipe the boot drive from within Windows is the O&O Safe Boot one..All others have to be done externally or booting with a boot disk in order to do it.

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