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| Thread ID: 45503 | 2004-05-24 05:47:00 | Clean PC before selling | mediaman (5682) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 238907 | 2004-05-24 23:46:00 | I would go for the complete format and reinstall option. That program that metla suggested sounds ideal for reinstalling the drivers - Driver Genius Professional 2004 1.7 -shareware (www.majorgeeks.com). What I would do is also order the Microsoft Windows Security Update CD (www.microsoft.com) which contains all MS updates to October 2003 and load those onto the machine after the reinstall. This saves the new owner having to download a truck lot of updates and makes the machine more secure. That CD also contains a free one-year trial of a Firewall and Antivirus software - you might as well install those for the new owner as well (saves a lot of grief if they aren't very pc savy). Depending on what software discs you are going to include in the sale, you might want to consider installing OpenOffice for an Office suite program, you can get if off computer magazines cover disc's if you check around. These little add-ons to a freshly installed system will make your computer more attractive to a buyer. |
Jen C (20) | ||
| 238908 | 2004-05-25 00:54:00 | If you don't reformat then please remember to turn OFF system restore and erase all the restore points. You can turn Restore back on afterwards but too many times I have seen PC's for sale or returned that, by simply restoring, can give me log on details and passwords and many many personal details including one memorial lady who was into "self photography" so to speak. Luckily it was me who double checked the PC before it was returned to the manufacturer for replacement. Reformat is still the best way to remove all traces but ensure you do a full reformat not just the quick one. |
dipstick01 (445) | ||
| 238909 | 2004-05-25 01:09:00 | For the extra paranoid, use a free utility like diskwipe (?) which actually writes over the entire disk. Works from a floppy disk. I used it when I was clearing some government computers and wanted to minimise any possible recovery of information. Then reformat and reinstall. | Bam Bam1 (5649) | ||
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