User-ready pc without personal data

by zydecolegs Jul 15, 2010 9:35AM PDT

I would like to remove all personal files from my laptop before giving it to a friend. I also want to make sure that it is fully functioning as well. My understanding (right or wrong) is that I need to run disk erase software to clean the hard drives, then reinstall Windows and any other applications needed.

It's the reinstall of Windows that concerns me. [to be truthful, it scares me.] The laptop came with Windows Vista Ultimate installed, but I have upgraded it to Windows 7 Ultimate. I have the MS product key numbers for the Windows Vista and Windows 7. I have an unopened System Recovery CD with Windows Vista which was issued by Toshiba when I purchased the laptop. I also have the Windows 7 Upgrade CD.

After erasing the hard drives, would I need to run the Toshiba issued Recovery software, then download any MS Windows updates for Vista, then rerun the Vista to Windows 7 upgrade again? Or, is there an easier way to accomplish this?

The laptop info:

Toshiba Satellite X205
Windows 7 Ultimate, 32-bit
4 GB RAM
2x160 GB HDD

I would appreciate your suggestions. Thank you!

Discussion is locked

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Safest way is one you mentioned...sort of

by Steven Haninger Jul 15, 2010 9:39AM PDT

You would need to wipe the drive and reinstall Vista. But, you'd not need to do any Vista updates, just upgrade to Win7. Make sure it will re-activate, of course, and then give it away.

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Hard drive eraser software

by zydecolegs Jul 15, 2010 11:45AM PDT

Thank you, Steven. In searching for hard drive eraser software, I came across White Canyon's WipeDrive SystemSaver software that is supposed to delete data and leave Windows in tact.

Do you, or anyone else reading this post, have any experience with this software to know if it lives up to its claim? Or is it too good to be true?

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Its not one I have heard of

by MarkFlax Forum moderator Jul 15, 2010 9:34PM PDT

and we normally suggest free utilities like DBAN or Killdisk. I've used DBAN myself a few times, (Darik's Boot and Nuke), but never Killdisk.

Mark

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Utility to erase hard drive leaving Windows intact

by zydecolegs Jul 15, 2010 10:25PM PDT

Thank you, Mark.

Since the WipeDrive SystemSaver utility is new, I am hoping that someone on the forum might be familiar with it. If I can avoid wiping out Windows and reinstalling the two versions of it, that's the route I'd like to take...if the product lives up to its claim.

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I understand

by MarkFlax Forum moderator Jul 15, 2010 10:29PM PDT

and I have unlocked your other post, and deleted my own reply.

Good luck with your search for answers.

Mark

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Thank you

by zydecolegs Jul 16, 2010 1:40AM PDT

Thank you, Mark. I have always found CNET Forums to be a great source of reliable information. I have never thought of myself as being techy enough to contribute, but if I'm the first to try this new utility, I just might share my experience with the product.

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Just to make more trouble

by Steven Haninger Jul 16, 2010 10:39AM PDT

I noticed that the time from your first post to this last one is in the range of about 40 hours. In 40 hours, you could have had the whole job done quite easily instead of hanging around here waiting for advice.

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More trouble

by zydecolegs Jul 16, 2010 9:28PM PDT

LOL, Steven. I may not be the techiest person around, but I do know that travelling into parts unknown without a map, can turn a trip into an unwanted adventure. And the truth is that I don't have time for adventures of that type because I have a weekend of skydiving to do. That's the kind of adventure I like.

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Ahh brill !

by MarkFlax Forum moderator Jul 16, 2010 9:30PM PDT

Skydiving??

Excellent. I hope the weekend goes well for you.

Mark

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Thank You

by zydecolegs Jul 16, 2010 9:40PM PDT

I did buy the WipeDrive SystemSaver software from WhiteCanyon, so we'll see how that goes. I won't have time to do anything on it for a few days, but I'll let you know how it goes when I get back to it.

For now, I'm off into the wild blue yonder.

Mark and Steven, I wish you safe landings, too, this weekend.

User-ready pc without personal data

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