When you delete stuff from your computer, it can be accessed again. There are softwares that allow you to recover deleted files. If I want to sell my laptop, how do I make sure ALL my data is deleted permanently and cannot be recovered? I want to make sure there’s absolutely no trace of my personal data in the hard drive.
Re: Removing data permanently
Replace the HD.
Re: Removing data permanently
after backing up your data…do the low level formating of your drive…there are many free tools/applications available…google them up..
Re: Removing data permanently
So I don’t necessarily have to replace the hard drive? I can actually erase it permanently, right?
Any good tools/softwares you’d recommend?
Re: Removing data permanently
You would need a disk wiper, In technical terms a low level format software to completely erase the drive. The following utilities might come handy.
Acronis DriveCleanser 6.0
Norton Cleansweep
Active killdisk (Available freely at killdisk.com)
Re: Removing data permanently
low level formatting should do it.
but barbie, do you know that them computer forensic experts can get the data even then if they are really REALLY good? 
Re: Removing data permanently
Take a good old hammer and shred it into pieces. Forensic scientist toh kia usk baap bhee kuch nahi nikal sakay ga.
Re: Removing data permanently
if you are that much sensitive about protecting your data…you should just destroy the harddrive…
but then again…what could be so ‘sensitive’ that you would go to such great lengths to clean it 
Re: Removing data permanently
As long as you low level format or zero fill the drive, you’re pretty much safe from the forensic experts as well. =)
Re: Removing data permanently
^ Zero filling the drive is recommended :k:
Nomi: I have so many possible answers to that question but my lips are sealed 
Mirch: LoL! baap tuk nahi jaane ka boss 
Re: Removing data permanently
Exodus: Thank you. :k:
Saby: 'splain “low level formatting” … and there’s nothing too interesting for a forensic expert in my hard drive! 
Mirch: LOL! I love my lappy too much to subject it to such torture!!
NomiCA: There’s a lot of stuff like my credit card details, password files etc… and my precious boothi too ofcourse 
Re: Removing data permanently
Unless the person/company you’re selling your laptop to will take extreme measures to recover data, low level formatting should be good enough - zero-filling being the additional option to pursue for greater reliability.
Re: Removing data permanently
No , no do not destroy the lappy destroy the hd only , if you are selling you beloved lappy buy a used hd and replace it to keep lappay’s value.