Can anyone tell me how to remove ALL personal data from my laptop?!

Question

Long story, short... I purchased a new Dell Inspiron 1720 from private party (was basically new at one month old)... anyway, turned out the graphics card (NVidia) was shot.. dealt with DELL for several months trying to fix it, sent it in and when it came back, graphics were still acting up, or causing it to crash. I couldn't even get them to extend the warranty on the card... so, am sending it back for a refund from the fellow I got it from.

Here's what I need to know.. since I really thought it would be MY laptop, I installed programs, e-mail info, personal info, and credit card/bank info. What do I need to do to make sure NONE of this will be available to whoever has it next???

Also, I'd like to transfer some of the saved info to another laptop or computer, what is the easiest way to do that?

Add to all this, I only have a few days to get this done, or I won't be able to get my refund! So, anyone that can help ASAP will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks much,
dhughes

mombodog · Answer

If you have this feature on that laptop, restoring it to factory configuration will erase all data.

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?docid=28C0548D825EB65DE040A68F5B2865A8&c=us&l=en&s=dhs

dhughes1 · Answer

Vista Home Premium?

mombodog · Answer

Vista or XP?

mombodog · Answer

I would either burn the data to CD, or use a flash drive to transfer the data.

dhughes1 · Answer

Thanks, I will certainly check it out! ;0)

Can you tell me the easiest way to transfer files/folders data, etc... from this laptop to another one? I think I've read it can be done, but I've never had to do it before~ I'd like to save most of the info to another drive/computer, before I try the restore option.

Thanks again!
dhughes

dhughes1 · Answer

Thanks again, I'll give both suggestions a try~ dhughes

jmwills · Answer

Google for a program named BC Wipe.  When run properly, this utility will erase the disc to DOD standards.  Of course, you will be returning a balnk disc to Dell btu I doubt they will care about that.

mombodog · Answer

'I do this, all it is removing is the info or data that I've added since getting it, and the OS will be intact?!?'   Yes, it overwrites the entire partition with a factory image of the OS, thus eliminating anything you did on the PC.

dhughes1 · Answer

Hello again~

Well, I'm just getting ready to try your suggestion on the Restore to Factory Config... but, wanted to make sure I have it right.. if I do this, all it is removing is the info or data that I've added since getting it, and the OS will be intact?!?

The seller probably won't be too happy if I return it with nothing on the drive...

Regards,
dhughes

dhughes1 · Answer

Thanks~ however, I'm not returning it to DELL, but a private party that I purchased it from... that is why I asked how to just remove MY info from the laptop, and leave the rest as it was.

Thanks again,
dhughes

dhughes1 · Answer

Thanks! It all turned out just fine~ and is on it's way back to the original owner. Regards, dhughes

jmwills · Answer

I can assure you that Dell will wipe the drive and reimage it before they resell it as used.  Go ahead and restore the laptop to the original image, but Dell will still reimage it.

dhughes1 · Answer

As I said, this wasn't going back to Dell, but to the person I bought it from~ and since he requested it be returned as it was when delivered, that meant with the OS installed, and ready for the next person to personalize it.

Thanks anyway,
dhughes

jmwills · Answer

Wipe the drive as described and reinstall the OS from a clean install.

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp

Driver Installation:
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&cs=19&docid=1A0C0937D62A8739E0401E0A55174744&journalid=4F1F82483DC811DBAE564F9328EE04A4&l=en&s=gen

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&dn=1090643

To find and download the drivers for your system, scroll down the page on click on
"Drivers and Downloads". Then enter your Service Tag or model number of your computer.
Select your operating system and then download the drivers that you need.

Windows General

Can anyone tell me how to remove ALL personal data from my laptop?!

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