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How do wipe all data and files from an XP (SP3) computer so that nothing can be recovered?

Anonymous
2012-05-24T22:48:51+00:00

I am retiring a PC running Windows XP sp3. I want to delete all the files and the data so completely they cannot be recovered. That will allow me to donate the machine to charity. (It will be up to them to install an operating system if they want to.) 

If the solution means I have to uninstall the operating system that's fine. What's most important is the NO DATA OF ANY KIND can be recovered.

Many thanks in advance

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-05-25T00:28:07+00:00

    Hi,

    What you are asking is nearly impossible to do unless you destroy the Hard Drive with an oxy acetylene torch..

    But for what you wish to do with that Computer, try this method:

    "Darik's Boot And Nuke"

    Darik's Boot and Nuke ("DBAN") is a self-contained boot disk that securely wipes the hard disks of most computers. DBAN will automatically and completely delete the contents of any hard disk that it can detect, which makes it an appropriate utility for bulk or emergency data destruction. DBAN is a means of ensuring due diligence in computer recycling, a way of preventing identity theft if you want to sell a computer, and a good way to totally clean a Microsoft Windows installation of viruses and spyware.

    http://www.dban.org/

    Cheers.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-05-25T10:07:03+00:00

    Remove the hard drive and physically destroy it (drill holes in it in multiple areas, or disassemble it and give the shiny discs inside to friends to use as toys or novelty mirrors, or so on).  That's the only way to be sure.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-05-25T02:42:39+00:00

    Hi,

    "What's most important is the NO DATA OF ANY KIND can be recovered."

    If you delete partitions or format the Drive, a simple free Program like Recuva will recover a % of your Data.

    That information is well documented and given as advice in these Forums when OPs "accidently" delete files or partitions or format without saving Data, etc.

    Just be careful what you finally do to remove that Data and make hard for anyone to recover.

    Cheers.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-05-25T02:22:44+00:00

    Its a fairly simple task...

    2 options are available,1st,download the MS-DOS disk check utility from the hd

    mfg web site,install utility to a formated MS-DOS floppy,or cd,boot pc to either,

    the option to remove the partition &/or format the hd is available.

    2nd,install xp installation cd,boot pc to cd,at cd menu,press  r  key for "recovery console"

    select 1 for C:  press enter key for password,type: DiskPart  In DiskPart,delete the

    partition,press ESC key,type: EXIT  The hd is cleaned,and unusable till a partition is

    created and its formated...

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