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#1
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Make W7 empty, ready to sell...
I'm going to sell my extra laptop with W7 installed.
I can probably add a new user with a generic name like "User" or "Owner", then log out as myself and login as the new administrator, then delete "Paul", including Paul's files, like I would in XP. And delete a few other folder structures I have installed. What else? How to do a complete cleanout of a histories (what kinds of histories exist?) Is that enuf? TIA, Paul |
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#2
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Make W7 empty, ready to sell...
Paul H wrote:
I'm going to sell my extra laptop with W7 installed. I can probably add a new user with a generic name like "User" or "Owner", then log out as myself and login as the new administrator, then delete "Paul", including Paul's files, like I would in XP. And delete a few other folder structures I have installed. What else? How to do a complete cleanout of a histories (what kinds of histories exist?) Is that enuf? TIA, Paul No. Most of that stuff I can find and un-delete. IMO, start fresh, delete the partition, reformat the drive then reinstall Windows. Are you including the Win 7 disk with the sale? -- "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." Theodore Roosevelt http://www.bobhatch.com http://www.tdsrvresort.com |
#3
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Make W7 empty, ready to sell...
Em Quinta 26 Novembro 2009 22:18, Bob Hatch escreveu:
Paul H wrote: I'm going to sell my extra laptop with W7 installed. I can probably add a new user with a generic name like "User" or "Owner", then log out as myself and login as the new administrator, then delete "Paul", including Paul's files, like I would in XP. And delete a few other folder structures I have installed. What else? How to do a complete cleanout of a histories (what kinds of histories exist?) Is that enuf? TIA, Paul No. Most of that stuff I can find and un-delete. IMO, start fresh, delete the partition, reformat the drive then reinstall Windows. Are you including the Win 7 disk with the sale? There are those shred programs, and after a defrag it's allmost imposible to undelete anything |
#4
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Make W7 empty, ready to sell...
I like the shred idea, because I have nice things installed, like Avast,
resize pictures, etc. and have deleted crapware, etc. so the buyer will get a nicely set up laptop. Can I shred what's in the recycle bin? Please address each of my points for me. ==================================== "Paul H" wrote in message ... I'm going to sell my extra laptop with W7 installed. 1. I can probably add a new user with a generic name like "User" or "Owner", then log out as myself and login as the new administrator, then delete "Paul", saying yes to the option of deleting Paul's files, like I would in XP. This would appear to not provide a shred opportunity. 2. And delete a few other folder structures I have installed. 3. What else? 4. How to do a complete cleanout of a histories (what kinds of histories exist?) Is that enuf? TIA, Paul |
#5
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Make W7 empty, ready to sell...
If you have a Win7 installation DVD, or the laptop's System Recovery disks,
why not just restore it to factory condition and be done with it? That's what I would do rather than going through hoops to make sure I didn't inadvertently let something slip. SC Tom "Paul H" wrote in message ... I like the shred idea, because I have nice things installed, like Avast, resize pictures, etc. and have deleted crapware, etc. so the buyer will get a nicely set up laptop. Can I shred what's in the recycle bin? Please address each of my points for me. ==================================== "Paul H" wrote in message ... I'm going to sell my extra laptop with W7 installed. 1. I can probably add a new user with a generic name like "User" or "Owner", then log out as myself and login as the new administrator, then delete "Paul", saying yes to the option of deleting Paul's files, like I would in XP. This would appear to not provide a shred opportunity. 2. And delete a few other folder structures I have installed. 3. What else? 4. How to do a complete cleanout of a histories (what kinds of histories exist?) Is that enuf? TIA, Paul |
#6
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Make W7 empty, ready to sell...
I second that motion
peter -- If you find a posting or message from me offensive,inappropriate or disruptive,please ignore it. If you dont know how to ignore a posting complain to me and I will be only too happy to demonstrate :-) "SC Tom" wrote in message ... If you have a Win7 installation DVD, or the laptop's System Recovery disks, why not just restore it to factory condition and be done with it? That's what I would do rather than going through hoops to make sure I didn't inadvertently let something slip. SC Tom "Paul H" wrote in message ... I like the shred idea, because I have nice things installed, like Avast, resize pictures, etc. and have deleted crapware, etc. so the buyer will get a nicely set up laptop. Can I shred what's in the recycle bin? Please address each of my points for me. ==================================== "Paul H" wrote in message ... I'm going to sell my extra laptop with W7 installed. 1. I can probably add a new user with a generic name like "User" or "Owner", then log out as myself and login as the new administrator, then delete "Paul", saying yes to the option of deleting Paul's files, like I would in XP. This would appear to not provide a shred opportunity. 2. And delete a few other folder structures I have installed. 3. What else? 4. How to do a complete cleanout of a histories (what kinds of histories exist?) Is that enuf? TIA, Paul |
#7
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Make W7 empty, ready to sell...
SC Tom wrote:
If you have a Win7 installation DVD, or the laptop's System Recovery disks, why not just restore it to factory condition and be done with it? That's what I would do rather than going through hoops to make sure I didn't inadvertently let something slip. SC Tom "Paul H" wrote in message ... I like the shred idea, because I have nice things installed, like Avast, resize pictures, etc. and have deleted crapware, etc. so the buyer will get a nicely set up laptop. Can I shred what's in the recycle bin? Please address each of my points for me. ==================================== "Paul H" wrote in message ... I'm going to sell my extra laptop with W7 installed. 1. I can probably add a new user with a generic name like "User" or "Owner", then log out as myself and login as the new administrator, then delete "Paul", saying yes to the option of deleting Paul's files, like I would in XP. This would appear to not provide a shred opportunity. 2. And delete a few other folder structures I have installed. 3. What else? 4. How to do a complete cleanout of a histories (what kinds of histories exist?) Is that enuf? TIA, Paul It's the only way I would do it, but I would start from a newly created partition that was just formated. No way would I sell a computer that might have something on the disk that was personal and could be costly. -- "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." Theodore Roosevelt http://www.bobhatch.com http://www.tdsrvresort.com |
#8
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Make W7 empty, ready to sell...
I don't know what you put on your computer, but mine is not filled with
secrets. I'm not paranoid, and the price I'm asking can only be justified by the nice job that I've done getting this laptop with W7 ready to use. I will be comfortable with the shred solution. So my main remaining question is how to remove all histories, that I cannot find in folders. "Paul H" wrote in message ... I'm going to sell my extra laptop with W7 installed. I can probably add a new user with a generic name like "User" or "Owner", then log out as myself and login as the new administrator, then delete "Paul", including Paul's files, like I would in XP. And delete a few other folder structures I have installed. What else? How to do a complete cleanout of a histories (what kinds of histories exist?) Is that enuf? TIA, Paul |
#9
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Make W7 empty, ready to sell...
On 27/11/2009 in message Paul H wrote:
I don't know what you put on your computer, but mine is not filled with secrets. I'm not paranoid, and the price I'm asking can only be justified by the nice job that I've done getting this laptop with W7 ready to use. I will be comfortable with the shred solution. So my main remaining question is how to remove all histories, that I cannot find in folders. Use cCleaner - www.ccleaner.com It will do a delete or a 7 pass, or even 35 pass, overwrite of deleted data and clean off unused disk space. It also has a registry cleaner and as it's freeware you can leave it on the machine for the new owner. I have used it on all versions of Windows with no issues. -- Jeff Gaines Dorset UK By the time you can make ends meet they move the ends |
#10
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Make W7 empty, ready to sell...
Em Sexta 27 Novembro 2009 04:43, Bob Hatch escreveu:
It's the only way I would do it, but I would start from a newly created partition that was just formated. No way would I sell a computer that might have something on the disk that was personal and could be costly. if you guys think that deleting a partition, creating a new one and formating will delete anything in the data area of the disk, you better think again. |
#11
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Make W7 empty, ready to sell...
ArameFarpado wrote:
Em Sexta 27 Novembro 2009 04:43, Bob Hatch escreveu: It's the only way I would do it, but I would start from a newly created partition that was just formated. No way would I sell a computer that might have something on the disk that was personal and could be costly. if you guys think that deleting a partition, creating a new one and formating will delete anything in the data area of the disk, you better think again. For the vast majority of users it will do the job. Most folks will see an "empty" disk. I never sell a computer with a disk I've used for data still installed. I pull the disk, open it and destroy the plates, then keep the magnets to play with. -- "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." Theodore Roosevelt http://www.bobhatch.com http://www.tdsrvresort.com |
#12
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Make W7 empty, ready to sell...
Bob Hatch wrote:
ArameFarpado wrote: Em Sexta 27 Novembro 2009 04:43, Bob Hatch escreveu: It's the only way I would do it, but I would start from a newly created partition that was just formated. No way would I sell a computer that might have something on the disk that was personal and could be costly. if you guys think that deleting a partition, creating a new one and formating will delete anything in the data area of the disk, you better think again. For the vast majority of users it will do the job. Most folks will see an "empty" disk. I never sell a computer with a disk I've used for data still installed. I pull the disk, open it and destroy the plates, then keep the magnets to play with. And the "vast majority" of people can jaywalk across a very busy street and survive, but a minority wind up being the subjects obituaries. I think your remarks are right on target. Anything that might lead to identity theft should be avoided; consider the vast number of places on that old HD that might contain your SSN, your bank account numbers, your credit/debit card numbers, birthdate, etc. I'm a retired banker and perhaps I'm more aware of what can happen if someone you never even heard of can gain access to that info. I suspect that almost everyone who reads this ng has a shredder next to their desk; treat that HD just like you treat pieces of paper with that same information. Incidentally, I destroy old HDs by pulling out the plastic plug on the side. I use a small rat-tail file to mutilate the surfaces and then use a screwdriver to bend the the plate(s). In the olden days I had a friend who owned an iron works that turned out a lot of cast iron products. He's dead and the business has been sold, but I've always thought the ultimate destruction would be to throw the object into a big cauldron of molten iron and let it become a part of a manhole cover. Some parts miht not melt, but the data material would be totally gone. Fantasy, of course, but I used to read a huge number of mysteries and thought that would be a great way to get rid of a murder weapon. Allen |
#13
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Make W7 empty, ready to sell...
On Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:03:20 -0600, Paul H wrote:
I'm going to sell my extra laptop with W7 installed. I can probably add a new user with a generic name like "User" or "Owner", then log out as myself and login as the new administrator, then delete "Paul", including Paul's files, like I would in XP. And delete a few other folder structures I have installed. What else? How to do a complete cleanout of a histories (what kinds of histories exist?) Is that enuf? TIA, Paul If you have any sensitive data at all, it would be wise to reformat and reinstall. |
#14
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Make W7 empty, ready to sell...
Paul H wrote:
I'm going to sell my extra laptop with W7 installed. I can probably add a new user with a generic name like "User" or "Owner", then log out as myself and login as the new administrator, then delete "Paul", including Paul's files, like I would in XP. And delete a few other folder structures I have installed. What else? How to do a complete cleanout of a histories (what kinds of histories exist?) Is that enuf? TIA, Paul The HDD manufacturers website may have low level formatting tools to wipe the drive. -- Vita brevis breviter in brevi finietur, Mors venit velociter quae neminem veretur. |
#15
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Make W7 empty, ready to sell...
Hi Jeff,
Other folks must keep passwords, etc. on their computer. I have icons that let IE go to secure bank login web sites. I don't let windows remember passwords. That's about it. If ccleaner will do what it says without removing applications I want to leave for the buyer and shred the rest, including all histories of where I've been, that's all I need. I doubt that a serious hacker will purchase my used laptop anyway. Thank you for the tip. Paul "Jeff Gaines" wrote in message ... On 27/11/2009 in message Paul H wrote: I don't know what you put on your computer, but mine is not filled with secrets. I'm not paranoid, and the price I'm asking can only be justified by the nice job that I've done getting this laptop with W7 ready to use. I will be comfortable with the shred solution. So my main remaining question is how to remove all histories, that I cannot find in folders. Use cCleaner - www.ccleaner.com It will do a delete or a 7 pass, or even 35 pass, overwrite of deleted data and clean off unused disk space. It also has a registry cleaner and as it's freeware you can leave it on the machine for the new owner. I have used it on all versions of Windows with no issues. -- Jeff Gaines Dorset UK By the time you can make ends meet they move the ends |
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