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Computer Reformatting

kaz

kaz

iLift
I want to reformat my laptop to resell. Its pretty old but still works.
However I want to completely wipe the drive, it has no viruses or anything its just lagging because of so much shit on it.
I have an external drive I save all my files. My laptop never came with discs for Windows but Im certain its built in? Has the serial sticker underneath.
Anything else I need to do before format?
 
What's the model number of the laptop?
Different makes have different ways of restoring the laptop to it's default state.

I'd download the manual (if you haven't already got it) and find out how to do a factory reinstall.

Is everything backed up? The obvious things are documents, pictures, videos etc.. Not so obvious ones are email, email contacts..
 
Never came with CDs? What brand laptop is it?

If youve copied all your photos/music/porn/documents etc off of it, some brands of laptops have a reimage process which restores it back to factory.

Alternatively, just go through control panel and uninstall all the programs other than those that come with it - thatll be roughly the same.
 
There is usually a partition with the factory image stored on it... most likely with some variety of manfacturer program to create an install disk from, well at least Sony's and Acer's do.
 
It's a Toshiba Satellite L300.
I read the instructions but it says I have to make discs.
Also the key for windows underneath is all but virtually unreadable.
 
Kaz are you formatting in the hope of "deleting" contents so others can't access your old files?

They (your "deleted" files) will still be able to be retrieved even after formatting.
 
L.P.S. said:
Kaz are you formatting in the hope of "deleting" contents so others can't access your old files?

They (your "deleted" files) will still be able to be retrieved even after formatting.
Click to expand...


it takes someone a lot more effort to retrieve said files though over the average person.
 
L.P.S. said:
Kaz are you formatting in the hope of "deleting" contents so others can't access your old files?

They (your "deleted" files) will still be able to be retrieved even after formatting.
Click to expand...

not if you use a tool like eraser Eraser

It overwrites the files and empty drive space with patterns of data multiple times especially if you select gutmann or US DOD settings.
 
Bradders said:
it takes someone a lot more effort to retrieve said files though over the average person.
Click to expand...
just a program does it. Got a mate who accidently formatted a storage Drive. Went back and retrieved old files.

lex said:
not if you use a tool like eraser Eraser

It overwrites the files and empty drive space with patterns of data multiple times especially if you select gutmann or US DOD settings.
Click to expand...

Yep, Ive got Eraser. Not sure even if thats secure, just overwrites many times as you say. Only real secure thing is a hole straight through it.
 
I have tax information, scans of ID, a lot of personal info has been through this computer.

Still transferring files. Going to need another external hard drive.
 
kaz said:
I have tax information, scans of ID, a lot of personal info has been through this computer.

Still transferring files. Going to need another external hard drive.
Click to expand...
hows the formatting going Kaz. Did you run the Eraser over your sensitive files?
 
What you need to do is create the boot CDs. Once that is done, run a program that will overwrite the partition/volume 3 to 5 times with various combinations of 1s and 0s. That's needed to change the residual magnetic field on the hard drive.

After something like that you would need some very expensive and specialise equipment to recover any data.

The quick format and deleting files, all it does it marks a file for deletion. All you need to do is run a program which scans the drive/filesystem and presto, you have your files back.

Running a full format still doesn't delete all the files and they can be recovered, but it destroys the current filesystem and writes a new one. So what is needed than is a program that can find what's called "magic numbers" and it will be able to recognise the files and copy them off to another drive.
 
I'm buying a new external drive as I filled my existing one:eek:. I found the part where you can make recovery discs etc
Should be set I hope.......:(
 
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