Genealogy Forum UK

Giving my ol laptop away and want to make sure all my info is cleared off the hard drive , how do I do that please.

Annie

Don't think you can totally wipe it, they recomend here that if you're taking it to the recycling centre (the tip), that you destroy the hard disc. But if you're giving it away, do you trust the people you're giving it too?

PC worrld wipe it for you-at a price -around £25.00
If you ask them to transfer any files over for you, make sure the plonkers transfer the correct files before you have it wiped.Enough said.

Thank you Snoopysu & Carol for your help, I have transfered all the files myself and I know the person who I am giving it to I just wanted to clear all my stuff off first , so will try PC World.

Annie

You can do it yourself, and for free, read this article and have a look at their recommendations. Googling 'overwrite hard disc will give other options but be careful to go with only reputable options.

Anything that does it to DoD (Department Of Defence) specifications is more than secure enough.

I recommend three wipes and this software is good freeware.

http://www.bestfreewaredownload.com/freeware/t-free-disk-wipe-freeware-rdtawfxk.html

Thank you for the links SRD and Mark I will try those before I go to PC ~World.

Annie