Donate computer wipe it clean?

[plcdude]

I am going to donate my laptop and I have deleted files that contain ss numbers and bank account information but I know that may not be enough. What is the most effective way of getting rid of personal information on my hard drive.

[Betty88]

1. Killdisk

http://download.cnet.com/Active-Kill-Disk-Hard-Drive-Eraser/3000-2092_4-10073508.html?tag=mncol;1

if you want to be sure use killdisk. Your files can be undeleted even a full format is not 100%

[struggle4progress]

2. How to Completely Erase a Hard Drive

http://www.pcworld.com/article/157126/how_to_completely_erase_a_hard_drive.html

[hobbit709]

3. do you have the windows install disk?

If so then the only real way is to use a disk eraser utility on the hard drive and then do a clean reinstall of the OS.

[DainBramaged]

4. Take out drive, smash to pieces and then throw in ocean

Actually, there are a LOT of DUers who NEED a computer, I just gave one of my laptops to a very deserving member, please consider that...

[Duer 157099]

5. Remove the hard drive and keep it as a backup of the data you have on it

That's the safest way to make sure your data doesn't get in other hands, keep the hard drive (they're small!) in your own hands.

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

6. +1000