Selling laptop and want to erase personal data.

TunedM2C · 08-06-2008, 02:36 PM

I am selling a laptop that I mostly used for internet browsing, storing pictures and writing a few word documents. I don't think there is any personal/harmful information on it. I've deleted some programs and emptied/deleted the recylce bin but I'm not sure if there are programs that can recall the information. So should I worry about it?

I tried to do a system recovery to default settings but it said I needed a disk which is long gone by now.

Severious · 08-06-2008, 03:55 PM

Well if you really want to be sure its all gone you can really scrub the hard drive... When you get done with it the CIA wouldn't know what was on it, the downside is you will have to reinstall the operating system and all the programs that anyone wanting to buy a laptop might want (i.e. Drivers, printing software, anti-virus, etc.)...

If that's the option you want too go down I would suggest using something like a bootable cd with a disk wiping app (WARNING: USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!)

If you delete something you don't want too; like the recovery partition of your hard drive, there's no getting it back, so you better know what your erasing!!!

P.S: Not liable if you erase your wife's photos that she want of your wedding; or of anything else you do with the preceding info, Good Luck!!!

3toM · 08-06-2008, 04:10 PM

I am no computer expert, but what I was thinking would be to format the hard drive. all data is lost when you do this. The trouble is though that you would need the system discs to reinstall the basic drivers, operating system, etc. Short of that, I don't know anything else other than what you already did.

TunedM2C · 08-06-2008, 04:20 PM

Good to know. I think I'll sell it as is with the original o/s so I get a few more bucks for it. Thanks fellas.

mtaylor510 · 08-06-2008, 06:03 PM

I have used this called Darik's Boot and Nuke. CIA uses this program
It is located at http://www.dban.org/

Papethova · 08-06-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3to1

I am no computer expert, but what I was thinking would be to format the hard drive. all data is lost when you do this. The trouble is though that you would need the system discs to reinstall the basic drivers, operating system, etc. Short of that, I don't know anything else other than what you already did.

Formatted hard drive data can be retrieved, not easy but forensics can do it.

m3bs · 08-06-2008, 07:28 PM

Considering the value of used laptops, it might be worth the peace of mind to simply destroy the hard drive and drop the laptop off at the local electronics recycling place.

mistermojorizin · 08-06-2008, 08:46 PM

how would you go about destroying a harddrive?

rag1983 · 08-06-2008, 08:48 PM

Magnets or Hammers. I prefer hammers.

m3bs · 08-06-2008, 08:48 PM

Big Hammer?

TunedM2C · 08-06-2008, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtaylor510

I have used this called Darik's Boot and Nuke. CIA uses this program
It is located at http://www.dban.org/

Do you just download it, let it run its course and presto....all gone? Will the o/s still be intact or would they have to install a new o/s?

xa-coupe · 08-06-2008, 09:11 PM

any of the data destroying software will need the computer reimaged. I am not aware of anything that will 'target' specific data and do a overwrite type delete.
I think you are going to have to decide whether to take the risk or sell a laptop with no OS.

BForbes · 08-06-2008, 09:37 PM

I backed over my last laptop with the car. My brothers truck to be exact. I will NEVER do a Dell laptop again. It was very immature but it felt so damn good.

mtaylor510 · 08-06-2008, 10:21 PM

you have reinstall the operating system and the drivers

mtaylor510 · 08-06-2008, 10:21 PM

You also have download the program then burn CD/ DVD to iso format

Heinzftw · 08-07-2008, 05:50 AM

If you have the original discs that came with the laptop all is well. Reformat the hard drive and presto. Sell it off!

Chop79 · 08-07-2008, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuned1

Good to know. I think I'll sell it as is with the original o/s so I get a few more bucks for it. Thanks fellas.

Good call.

mtaylor510 · 08-07-2008, 10:51 AM

good job in selling it

08-06-2008, 02:36 PM	#1
TunedM2C Brigadier General 846 Rep 4,190 Posts Drives: 2016 LBB M2 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Earth iTrader: (2)	Selling laptop and want to erase personal data. I am selling a laptop that I mostly used for internet browsing, storing pictures and writing a few word documents. I don't think there is any personal/harmful information on it. I've deleted some programs and emptied/deleted the recylce bin but I'm not sure if there are programs that can recall the information. So should I worry about it? I tried to do a system recovery to default settings but it said I needed a disk which is long gone by now.
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08-06-2008, 03:55 PM	#2
Severious Private 4 Rep 69 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jun 2008 iTrader: (0)	Well if you really want to be sure its all gone you can really scrub the hard drive... When you get done with it the CIA wouldn't know what was on it, the downside is you will have to reinstall the operating system and all the programs that anyone wanting to buy a laptop might want (i.e. Drivers, printing software, anti-virus, etc.)... If that's the option you want too go down I would suggest using something like a bootable cd with a disk wiping app (WARNING: USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!) If you delete something you don't want too; like the recovery partition of your hard drive, there's no getting it back, so you better know what your erasing!!! P.S: Not liable if you erase your wife's photos that she want of your wedding; or of anything else you do with the preceding info, Good Luck!!! __________________ 135i Manual Transmission Sparkling Graphite Metallic Black Boston Leather Walnut Trim Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Ipod/USB interface, Premium Audio, BMW Security System Ordered: March 8, 2008 RE-ordered: June 20, 2008 Production complete: July 7, 2008 Delivered: August 5, 2008
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08-06-2008, 04:10 PM	#3
3toM Lieutenant 18 Rep 511 Posts Drives: 2013 335i EB Msport Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	I am no computer expert, but what I was thinking would be to format the hard drive. all data is lost when you do this. The trouble is though that you would need the system discs to reinstall the basic drivers, operating system, etc. Short of that, I don't know anything else other than what you already did.
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08-06-2008, 04:20 PM	#4
TunedM2C Brigadier General 846 Rep 4,190 Posts Drives: 2016 LBB M2 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Earth iTrader: (2)	Good to know. I think I'll sell it as is with the original o/s so I get a few more bucks for it. Thanks fellas.
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08-06-2008, 06:03 PM	#5
mtaylor510 Enlisted Member 11 Rep 38 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	I have used this called Darik's Boot and Nuke. CIA uses this program It is located at http://www.dban.org/
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08-06-2008, 07:28 PM	#7
m3bs Captain 65 Rep 660 Posts Drives: 95 S54 M3, X5, GT4, GR Corolla Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: North Augusta, SC iTrader: (1)	Considering the value of used laptops, it might be worth the peace of mind to simply destroy the hard drive and drop the laptop off at the local electronics recycling place.
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08-06-2008, 08:46 PM	#8
mistermojorizin Lieutenant Colonel 41 Rep 1,657 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	how would you go about destroying a harddrive? __________________ "KOPEYKA" /// Titanium Silver / Black Leather / Gray Poplar / Sport Package / Premium Package / 6MT / Feb 08 Production
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08-06-2008, 08:48 PM	#9
rag1983 New Member 1 Rep 22 Posts Drives: 135i Blue Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Anytown USA iTrader: (0)	Magnets or Hammers. I prefer hammers. __________________ Monaco Blue/Lemon Interior 135. Sport/Premium Pkgs. 135i On order!
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08-06-2008, 09:11 PM	#12
xa-coupe Wannabe 7 Rep 268 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jun 2008 iTrader: (0)	any of the data destroying software will need the computer reimaged. I am not aware of anything that will 'target' specific data and do a overwrite type delete. I think you are going to have to decide whether to take the risk or sell a laptop with no OS.
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08-06-2008, 09:37 PM	#13
BForbes Moderator 594 Rep 4,240 Posts Drives: BSM 135i/AW E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	I backed over my last laptop with the car. My brothers truck to be exact. I will NEVER do a Dell laptop again. It was very immature but it felt so damn good. __________________ - 04 Honda S2000(gone)
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08-06-2008, 10:21 PM	#14
mtaylor510 Enlisted Member 11 Rep 38 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	you have reinstall the operating system and the drivers
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08-07-2008, 10:51 AM	#18
mtaylor510 Enlisted Member 11 Rep 38 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	good job in selling it
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