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Author Topic: Format and erase HDD (Free)  (Read 2799 times)

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elaikenn628

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    Greenhorn

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    Format and erase HDD (Free)
    « on: August 21, 2011, 09:10:55 AM »
    Hello all,

    I am a OAP on limited income and my friend gave me his old desktop when he bought a new laptop.

    He was going to do it for me but he passed away 8 days ago.

    So the help I would like is 1. How do I reformat the HDD and 2. how do I erase all the personal things of his if possible freely.

    Ken
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    patio

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    Re: Format and erase HDD (Free)
    « Reply #1 on: August 21, 2011, 09:31:40 AM »
    Boot to the Windows CD of your choice...
    In setup select delete partition and re-create...
    Then continue with setup.
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    Transfusion



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    Re: Format and erase HDD (Free)
    « Reply #2 on: August 21, 2011, 09:35:40 AM »
    DBAN will do the job:
    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.


    http://www.dban.org/


    I am sorry to hear that your friend passed away, may he rest in peace.


    EDIT:
    Quote from: patio on August 21, 2011, 09:31:40 AM
    Boot to the Windows CD of your choice...
    In setup select delete partition and re-create...
    Then continue with setup.


    This does not securely delete data-I have successfully recovered files with Recuva-however it is definitely an easier way...
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    patio

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    Re: Format and erase HDD (Free)
    « Reply #3 on: August 21, 2011, 09:45:07 AM »
    Unless they are wanted by the FBI it will work just fine...
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    elaikenn628

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      Re: Format and erase HDD (Free)
      « Reply #4 on: August 21, 2011, 11:25:59 AM »
      Thanks for the info I have just tried dban but when it starts I get error messages.

      The only disc we have come across is the disc that came with the computer wnd we have not found a seperate windows disk and his partner says he used to reformat and reinstall all the programs again.
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      patio

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      Re: Format and erase HDD (Free)
      « Reply #5 on: August 21, 2011, 11:33:05 AM »
      You are gonna need a Windows OS CD either way...
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      Computer_Commando



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      Re: Format and erase HDD (Free)
      « Reply #6 on: August 21, 2011, 11:37:35 AM »
      Unless it has a System Restore Partition.
      What is make & model number of computer?
      I got a computer the same as you & instead, just uninstalled all the programs I didn't need or want.  Then deleted the old user's profile, which will delete all his docs.  Didn't want to go through all the Windows updates for the past 8 years.
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      elaikenn628

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        Greenhorn

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        Re: Format and erase HDD (Free)
        « Reply #7 on: August 22, 2011, 12:50:35 AM »
        The make is EI which according  his partner he bought from PC World and I think it is EIS304.
        Just found lookong through tje programmes it has Windows XP so if I get it sorted can I install Windows 7?
        Where do i find his users profile?
        Ken

        « Last Edit: August 22, 2011, 01:23:31 AM by elaikenn628 »
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        Computer_Commando



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        Re: Format and erase HDD (Free)
        « Reply #8 on: August 22, 2011, 04:19:00 AM »
        Quote from: elaikenn628 on August 22, 2011, 12:50:35 AM
        The make is EI which according  his partner he bought from PC World and I think it is EIS304.
        Just found lookong through tje programmes it has Windows XP so if I get it sorted can I install Windows 7?
        Where do i find his users profile?
        Ken
        Don't know EI, nothing on Computer World website.
        Only if it's compatible with Win7:  http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=20
        To delete a user profile
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        elaikenn628

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          Greenhorn

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          Re: Format and erase HDD (Free)
          « Reply #9 on: August 22, 2011, 11:01:49 AM »
          I have found out  it is a E.SYSTEM computer,www.emachines.com

          Trying the details tonight.
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