Erasing old computer before the move?

I have an old desktop that I don't want to take with me to the UK, and it wouldn't be worth much to sell, so I'd like to just trash it. I found some free program that erases disks, but then tried to use it and won't do the C drive! I could just reformat the computer (though I don't really know how to do that), but I've heard it's best to wipe it clean with some program.

So, anyone know of a free way to wipe all my info off the old computer? If not, how do I reformat it?

Assuming you are running a Windows-based system, the easiest way to be sure of wiping all data is to use the appropriate program from Norton Utilities, or one of the similar suites of utility software.   These will actually overwrite the disk sectors with zeros or random numbers to erase all traces of your data (simply using a DOS/Windows DEL command does not do that).

Formatting the hard drive would not stop a determined person from scanning your disk for fragments of data, but it would probably deter most people from bothering to look any further since piecing the data back together would be a time-consuming task.  To reformat, just boot to the DOS prompt, then enter the command:

FORMAT C:

Rather than throwing your computer away, there are lots of places you could donate it. Even if it's old, they'll still take it and recycle it in some manner. I recycled my stereo and a scanner before I moved. At least it would keep it out of a landfill! I think I just googled computer recycling in Maryland or something and some places popped up.

i have a gateway laptop that is broken. i sent it to a computer dr and he could not fix it. i'm sure that the screen and brand new keyboard would be worth something to someone....but when i turn it on, the computer shows: jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj and won't stop....but the j button isn't stuck. it's mental. using an external keyboard doesn't work-it beeps horribly and won't stop. It was working so well for so long and just died...i have no idea what to do with it, i'd almost like to take the hard drive out and then ditch it?

The best way to render a hard drive useless is to disassemble the drive, take it outside and beat the h*ll out of it with a hammer.  I guarantee no-one will be able to access  even a shred of sensitive information.

Good luck.

that's what i'm thinking saffron.

if i do that, is the computer in any way salvagable?  I might do it and donate it or something.... :/

Rather than throwing your computer away, there are lots of places you could donate it. Even if it's old, they'll still take it and recycle it in some manner.

I tried to do that before I moved, but nobody would take my old clunker! 

that's what i'm thinking saffron.

if i do that, is the computer in any way salvagable?  I might do it and donate it or something.... :/

Sure.  If the motherboard and screen works, remove the HD and donate. 

The best way to render a hard drive useless is to disassemble the drive, take it outside and beat the h*ll out of it with a hammer.  I guarantee no-one will be able to access  even a shred of sensitive information.

Or take a powerful degaussing coil to the platter after disassembling.   It's rather drastic though to destroy a perfectly serviceable drive which somebody could use! 

It's quite surprising how people leave data floating around on disks they pass on though, even those who should know better.   About 3 or 4 years ago I acquired a large load of old computer equipment which had been sitting around in somebody's garage for several years.   In the batch were four original IBM PC/AT system units, bearing "Property of H.M. Treasury" stickers on the front.   Two of the hard drives were no longer functional, but the other two fired up just fine, and one was still full of WordStar files -- Internal treasury letters and memos, financial reports, and similar documents.   It looked as though the machines had just been shut down as usual one night and then put out for government auction the next day, sometime around 1988 as they were the latest timestamps on the disk.

In my line of work we use lots of computers. We give away or donate dozens a year. We use a program called DBAN to wipe the hard drive clean. This program will clear the hard drive of everything including the operating system.

http://dban.sourceforge.net/

Or take a powerful degaussing coil to the platter after disassembling.   It's rather drastic though to destroy a perfectly serviceable drive which somebody could use! 

This is true, providing you can find a powerful enough degaussing coil that you can afford, and hopefully have another use for it after you wipe the HD.  Don't even think about looking at Maplin and RS.  All in all, the hammer is cheaper.

I think I'll go with the reformating and then the hammer.

I haven't booted to dos in so long that I can't remember how. Do I press F7 during start-up?

If you are going to donate the computer, it might be nice to just delete your personal files and leave the program files on. So you will be donating the programs as well as the computer.  (Since you would have just deleted the programs anyway, it will help someone else at no cost to yourself.)

In my line of work we use lots of computers. We give away or donate dozens a year. We use a program called DBAN to wipe the hard drive clean. This program will clear the hard drive of everything including the operating system.

http://dban.sourceforge.net/

Cicero:
After doing this, how would you then put on the basic programs if you wished to donate that as well?  I think people would be more interested in my old e-mac if it came with the OS or something.  Would you simply put the disk in and the computer will automatically install?  as you can tell, I know very little of computers.

We just got a new laptop to take over with us when we go...but my wife and I feel bad throwing it out knowing that someone could use it.....schools or nonprofit organizations for homeless or battered women or something.

If you are going to donate the computer, it might be nice to just delete your personal files and leave the program files on.

I'm not donating it, I'm just trashing it. The thing works soooo slow and buggy, it's not a good machine. And I don't want to try and let someone fix it up, because I'd just rest easier if I knew it -- and any chance of recovering my files -- were in microchip heaven. If it were a decent machine, I probably would donate it. But it's junky, so I may as well have peace of mind and trash it.