How do i wipe this computer clean?

A

Aus10

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Dec 8, 2010
Messages
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I have a netbook and i plan to sell it but i would like to know how to whipe the HDD clean. So its like when i first turn the comptuer on for the first time. The model is... A Dell Insprion mini 10...I cant find a model number though... Anyways i have these cds for it...

Dell Drivers and ultilities
Dell Apllication
Microst works 9.0
Then the os cd it is Windows 7 starters 32-bit

Thank you for your help
 
You should be able to the included discs to restore the system to its factory condition. Use the Windows disc first to reformat the hard drive and install Windows. Then install the drivers and finally the other programs.
 
I did what cruiza said and i sold it today so thank you guys.
 
In the future you may want to use a tool called DBAN, http://www.dban.org

It's a bootable ISO that you burn to a CD that performs a secure wipe (DoD compliant) of the hard drive. When you use system restore disks to reinstall, you probably won't actually overwrite the entire drive so it may be possible for some data to be recovered. DBAN is free and very simple to use.
 
Also the Windows 7 DVD might have the recovery console (I have my doubts since this is the starter edition we're talking about here but its worth a shot). If you boot into that you can run "format C: /P:x" where x is the number of passes you write zeros on the drive. IMO two passes should be secure enough to completely obliterate whatever's left on that drive.

Just thought you'd like to know. :)
 
most dells have a recovery partition. you can usually boot into it by press some key right after the bios screen. if you look you should see something. once that loads there should be something to load it back to factory default. that would be the easiest way to do it.
 
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