When you get rid your old HP computer, don't make the mistake of leaving your data on it. Identity thieves and other troublemakers know to look on old PCs for identifying information, and even friends can get nosy. By wiping the information off your HP, you can deter most potential sneaks and keep your information private.
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Windows Install CD
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- 1 Back up important information. We are going to destroy all the information on the PC, and it won't be retrievable by normal means, so make sure you have a copy of your important files before you go any further.
- 2 Insert your Windows CD and turn off the PC. The CD contains a program that is capable of erasing all information on your PC. Any Windows Install CD will do, not just the one for this PC.
- 3 Start the system and boot from the CD. This will take you into the Windows setup program. Press F8 to accept the Windows license, then when prompted to repair your Windows installation, press ESC.
- 4 Remove your current partition. Use the arrow key to select your current partition and press D to delete it, followed by L to confirm.
- 5 Create a new partition by pressing C and then allow it to take up the whole unused drive by simply pressing enter. Select that you want to format the drive completed (not a Quick format), and let it run to format your drive. You can exit the Windows installation at any time after that and you will have a freshly formatted computer.
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Tips & Warnings
- Formatting a PC will stop most attackers, but a particularly clever or tenacious foe may still be able to get information off a formatted PC. If you have truly sensitive data on your PC, the only way to be sure that your data is safe is to destroy the hard drive in the PC.
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