wiping out computers

[redbullfan78]

I have 2 computers can anyone give me the steps on how to wipe everything out on them?

[TrueB&B_BritFan]

physically destroy the HD... that's the "best" way lol... cuz they say that even if you use some software to overwrite the HD data the someone can STILL possibly recover the data on it! (just ask the gov't :p)..

rules of giving/selling your computer:

1) leaving ALL your files on there - obvious no-no!
2) dragging to the "recycle bin" (and maybe not even deleting them) - ANOTHER no-no :p
3) formatting the HD (via DOS-mode - does NOT work in windows command line :p)... MUCH better, but STILL does NOT (repeat NOT) actually overwrite the files that are there - it just destroys the "directory" on the drive - some software can STILL fully recover "formatted" hard-drives!!
4) *THE BEST* solution (besides physically destroying the HD, as I said before), is to use some scrubbing software.. it writes over EVERY BYTE ON THE HD over and over w/ patterns of 1's and 0's to COMPLETELY change every byte on the drive.. obviously this is going to take a HORRIBLY long time, but it is the most secure way w/ leaving the HD still usable

you can also set the software to do different number of "passes" on the HD, the gov't Department of Defense only uses like 3-5 passes I believe, and they are HORRIBLY paranoid about no-one getting hold of their information!.. (although some of the software will let you set it to go through even like 100 times LOL... now THAT'S paranoid!)..

it's also not that nice to give someone a computer w/ no operating system either LOL... it depends on who's getting it though... if you're donating them or something, it's best to install like Linux on it, that way they can at least see that it boots and check it out and stuff... otherwise it's like giving them a paperweight lol

here's a free HD wipe utility that's supposed to run from floppy: http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/Active-Kill-Disk-Hard-Drive-Eraser/3000-2092_2-10188745.html?tag=lst-0-2

there are also other ones that are based off Linux that you just pop in a CD, reboot and it will automatically wipe the HD (good for doing several computers)

[redbullfan78]

my dad got a computer from his work and they left it with password which we can figure out and the other has currpted file

[TrueB&B_BritFan]

I'm assuming that since you can't get access to the files on the one that it's at least Win 2000 or higher (XP, etc..) - or maybe some flavor of Linux..

there are lots of methods for trying to get into such a computer, some involve trying to use password finder software, and also programs to reset the administrator password on the machine.. they can also come in both floppy and boot CD versions... many are free and open-source

the only problem can come in if you RESET the password and the computer was using an encrypted file system, then the files may be lost forever at that point.

[redbullfan78]

can you use baby wipes to clean laptop computer screens

[TrueB&B_BritFan]

there's all different kinds of wipes to clean computers screens..
plus lots of different home-made stuff as well... some suggest like rubbing alcohol or a vinegar solution, others think baby-wipes work fine as well

[redbullfan78]

there's all different kinds of wipes to clean computers screens..
plus lots of different home-made stuff as well... some suggest like rubbing alcohol or a vinegar solution, others think baby-wipes work fine as wellFOr laptops I thought you cant have water on it

[TrueB&B_BritFan]

well if you're only wetting like a towelette and stuff to wipe the screen it should be fine.. just don't spill it all over the laptop or something lol