Hi everyone, I'm going to be selling my old laptop online, and I want to know how I can 1) completely wipe the hard drive of all its data 2) install windows xp pro, instead of home (i have the discs, i just want to know if its possible once i have removed all data from the hard drive). For the first, I want to make sure that any "sensitive" information about myself, and in general just the data/documents that i have created are both removed. Thanks in advance.
You can reformat, then install XP pro, but reformatting isn't 100% protection against data theft; there's software out there (try Google-ing "wipe hard drive", "erase hard drive",etc.) I've never used it myself so I have nothing to recommend.
The program will erase everything on you pc. Be careful once its gone, its gone. Yes you should beable to install xp pro but if its a pirated copy u may have a hard time activating it. http://dban.sourceforge.net/
pitbull07 - I've had a look at dban, it looks safe and easy, and CNet recommend it. The copy isn't pirated, so hopefully all will go well. Thanks for your suggestions.
