How to erase my old windows XP before donating it?

[Benvolio]

I have an older computer with Windows XP that I will donate to Goodwill. How can I be sure that no part of my old files will be revived by a new owner? Thanks

 

[blueyedvl]

Typically you would install a drive wiping software on a flash drive, below are some links to a couple.
http://www.pcworld.com/product/1115271/hard-drive-eraser.html
http://www.diskwipe.org/

 

[jbrown329]

If you have an external hard drive case that the drive will fit into, CCleaner features a wipe drive feature. Number of overwrites depends on how far you wish to go. From 1 pass up to 35. DOD specs are 7.

 

[Telstra]

Re-install windows xp will wipe off everything there.
So yes re-install windows.

 

[vidarr]

On the matter of CCleaner. Generally 3 or 4 passes will suffice. Make sure you wipe the free disk space as well as used space.

 

[jbrown329]

Re-install windows xp will wipe off everything there.
So yes re-install windows.

If I remember correctly, the XP CD will ask if you want a quick format or a full format. Do the full. With CCleaner, do the full. That does the entire drive. Not just empty space.

 

[offthewall14420]

Drill a hole in it. That's what I do. Too much personal and financial data stored on computers to mess around.

 

[KaraBulut]

Pull the drive before you donate it. Destroy the drive and dispose of it separately. Newer drives can be destroyed by cracking the plates with a hammer. Older drives with metal plates should be drilled. Alternatively, there are companies that will physically grind up the old drive.

 

[Telstra]

Pull the drive before you donate it. Destroy the drive and dispose of it separately. Newer drives can be destroyed by cracking the plates with a hammer. Older drives with metal plates should be drilled. Alternatively, there are companies that will physically grind up the old drive.

Format the whole harddrive is not good enough ?

 

[jbrown329]

Format the whole harddrive is not good enough ?

It takes more passes than a simple reformat. I've actually recovered files off a drive that had been reformatted. Numerous passes with software makes sure that there is no way under the sun to recover any information.

 

[KaraBulut]

Format the whole harddrive is not good enough ?

 

[Benvolio]

Thanks for your help guys.

 

[Anon]

Remove The Hard drive

 

[jbrown329]

Remove The Hard drive

Without a hard drive, they'd throw it in the garbage. If you want to pull the drive, then take the box to some place that recycles them.