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How do I wipe hard drive?

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laptopdunce
Resolved

Likes # 1

Posted August 11, 2012 at 8:46PM

I have a laptop I want to give to a friend, (upgrading) it is about 5 years old now, an acer, I have the Aver back-up and windows reload disks, and I want to wipe the drives before I give the laptop away (just to be certain there are no passwords/personal info etc., left on the computer) my question is: How do I wipe the drive clean? do I have to wipe both the C & D drive? and what will happen when it is totally "clean"? will the windows and reload disks have to be used to start the computer up again? thanks PCDIMWIT

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laptopdunce

Likes # 0

Posted August 13, 2012 at 4:23PM

OK thanks, is this best done with the computer disconnected from internet, or not running any other applications when the wipe is running? thanks LAPTOPDUNCE

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Fruit Bat /\0/\

Likes # 0

Posted August 13, 2012 at 4:27PM

Yes leave it disconnected from internet and only CCleaner running as it will do it faster this way.

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laptopdunce

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Posted August 13, 2012 at 4:42PM

OK thanks, LAPTOPDUNCE

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laptopdunce

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Posted August 13, 2012 at 6:29PM

OK, have got the CCleaner wipe running on C & D drive on the highest setting, disconnected from wifi, says it will take over 10 hours, will I notice any difference when it has completed? thanks LAPTOPDUNCE

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Fruit Bat /\0/\

Likes # 0

Posted August 13, 2012 at 6:30PM

Other than any previous data on the machine will be irretrievable No.

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laptopdunce

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Posted August 14, 2012 at 9:11AM

Phew!! thought it has finished this morning, but after 12 hours it has only just done the C drive and now has gone on to do the D drive free space and estimates 17 hours more!!! LAPTOPDUNCE

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Fruit Bat /\0/\

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Posted August 14, 2012 at 9:19AM

You did say you had put it on the highest setting which is 35 passes (3 would have been well good enough) even CSI will not be able to retrieve anything after that.

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laptopdunce

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Posted August 14, 2012 at 10:53AM

Yes, I put it on the 35 passes setting, I thought you said do it on the highest setting. What is CSI?? LAPTOPDUNCE

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laptopdunce

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Posted August 14, 2012 at 12:47PM

Is it a TV programme called Crimse scene investigation?? someone told me about this. I dont watch TV at all!!! only in Germany and Nederland do i watch "real" programmes (very rarely) - I guess I am a dinosaur but TV doesnt interest me at all. LAPTOPDUNCE

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Fruit Bat /\0/\

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Posted August 14, 2012 at 1:43PM

Yes CSI is Crime Scene Investigation

See my posts August 12, 2012 at 9:07AM and Yesterday at 2:49PM

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