how to wipe a hard drive in youe computer?

op. system install / re-install steps

print a copy of this file

print a copy of computer notes

export browser Fav's / bookmarks

back-up files, programs ;

power down

disconnect network and external drives

power up

delete tif files ( temp internet files ) and cookies;

un-install programs;

delete folders;

delete accounts

empty recycle bin

restart computer

Go to BIOS and set boot order with CD boot 1st

place O.S. CD in CD drive, 'cept don't close it

power down

close CD drive with O.S. CD in it

restart computer

format primary HDD;

( Fn + F10 ) = disc eject ( DELL )

install op. system;

adjust screen resolution;

load software for external drives and hardware;

test for internet connection;

install additional programs as necessary

If your computer is several years old, consider buying a new hard drive for the fresh install of the op. sys..

When re-installing the o.s., allocate 15gb (15000mb) of space for the op. sys.. Format in NTFS. Partition the rest of the hard drive in 7000mb to 20000mb allocations creating up to 10 partitions. Then, after you boot, you can allocate / format the rest of the hard drive under disk management;

>(r-clik) my computer

> manage

> disk management

Allocate +/- 7 to 20 gb of space for each partition, format in NTFS.

Install additional software (Adobe pdf reader, Java R.E., printer, wireless adaptor, office suite, web browser, widgets,etc.) to a low capacity partition.

AVOID installing to the partition that host's the op.sys.. AVOID storing anything in the user account “My Documents” folder as that will consume space in the host partition.

Download to a low capacity partition, install software and programs to another low capacity partition. Create and download documents to another partition.

leave at least one partition unused, for migration. At least once a year, migrate your stuff to a unused partition, especially if you do a lot of editing, then format the abandoned partition, for the next time.

With only the op. sys. on the hosting partition, it will be easier for your computer to run the op., and easier to run everything else.

And, with your files and software on other partitions, your stuff is already in back-up, and the next op. Sys. Re-install will be already half done and much easier to do and you will only have to format the host partition and not the whole hard drive

Also, increase your RAM to at least double of mfg. Configure or even max it.

http://www.gtopala.com/siw-download.html

Check the RAM and CPU load with the task manager to determine if you need to increase the RAM capacity;

1st> (r-clik) taskbar

2> task manager

3> performance

Get widgets to monitor the RAM load and CPU load

http://downloads.yahoo.com/

To be more thorough “wipe” the hard drive before the op. Sys. Install with DBAN

http://www.answers.com/topic/darik-s-boot-and-nuke

Use Eraser to overwrite the contents of the recycle bin instead of emptying the recycle bin;

1st> Open Eraser

2> clik explorer tab near bottom left

3> clik recycle bin the the explorer tree to show contents of recycle bin

4> edit > select all

5> drag and hold contents over the eraser tab

The explorer closes and eraser opens

6> drag contents back to the eraser que, drop contents

7> set eraser to make one pass;

Edit > preferences > erasing > pseudorandom data > OK

8> (r-clik) eraser que> run all > close

http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/eraser_port...

Occasionally use ccleaner for maintenance purposes;

http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

Occasionally, create a new user account, copy / paste contents from the current user account, to the new user account, then delete the old user account

pg

When you wipe a HD you loose everything your files and OS you loose everything!! However yes norton makes you update but so does everyone eles!!! Norton is the best Anti-Virus Software out there. However i would buy the Norton Internet Security, becaus eit has everything included that norton made for 2007 exept all of Confidential's features. There you go.

If you're looking to wipe a drive because you're going to get rid of the computer, try Darik's Boot and Nuke http://www.dban.org/

That will wipe it completely.

If you're just looking to clean it off to re-install something on it, the other people have given you great advice.

Good luck!

You won't entirely delete it. If you want some serious damage, get it melted in a steel refinery.

depends, do you want to trash the hard drive(get rid of it) -drill exactly 3 large holes in it

good luck