Question for you all...
 

I maybe should have posted this on the computers/technical thread but thought I might get a higher range of folks here with my question:

We have a computer (3 years old) that we may want to sell. {It's a netbook} Before selling it, we would want to get all the information erased from it so the question is "how would we go about it?" Can we do it ourselves? Thank you all ahead of time!

:024:

Erase files on PC
 

You can check this out

Eraser - CNET Download.com

Even when the HD is erased an expert can still find some information.
The university where I used to work had the HD removed and shredded before selling the computer as surplus. It depends on how much personal data is on the the HD that you need to protect.

Here is an recent article called "Rethinking the process of hard-drive sanitizing" by computer guru Fred Langa. It seems to be right up the alley of what information you're looking for. Also, for those interested, you can subscribe to their newsletter while at the web site.

Rethinking the process of hard-drive sanitizing

About Fred Langa

Fred Langa is senior editor with the online website "Windows Secrets." His LangaList Newsletter merged with Windows Secrets on Nov. 16, 2006. Prior to that, Fred was editor of Byte Magazine (1987 to 1991) and editorial director of CMP Media (1991 to 1996), overseeing Windows Magazine and others.

I have used WipeDrive from White Canyon. The program completely overwrites the entire drive 7 times. There will be NO information on the drive after using it, this includes the operating system. Therefore you will need the original software that came with the computer to restart the computer. It is Defense Department approved. WipeDrive - Permanently erase all data from your computer | WhiteCanyon Software

I don't know the value of your net book. When my "stuff" gets old, I remove the hard drive, smash it up (literally) and have either thrown it in the water or set it on fire!

For me not worth the trouble - depending, of course, on what you can get for it.

Just saying !

My guess is it's not worth the risk for the little bit of cash you will get from selling your old system. However this is a guess since you didn't provide any information about your system. If you get it wiped clean and find you can't sell it you might call some of the local schools and ask if you can donate it. I know many times private schools i.e. Catholic, Lutheran or whatever are always looking for this type of donation

Good article and information. Thanks.

Thank you all for the information! The computer isn't a PC...it's a netbook and it didn't come with any discs. I wanted it just for reading stuff on the Internet, to do e-mail and facebook....and because of it's size to safe space. It has served it's purpose...so perhaps we will do as suggested and donate it. Still though...need to erase some of the personal information on it and that's primarily what my question was about.