Richard wrote:

> Personally I would go one step further & zero wipe the disk(s)
> entirely using this free tool.
> http://dban.sourceforge.net/
> Just boot from the CD it makes & type "Autonuke" to wipe all disks on
> the machine.


Why? There's no reason to do that if you reinstall Windows and keep the
computer. Tools that that are for people who want to give away, sell, or
discard their computer (or drive) and feel somewhat safer (the tools are
never perfect) that nobody will be able to see their deleted data.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup



>
> "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message
> news:%234HZMUPaHHA.4520@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> BeachgalSuz wrote:
>>
>>> I am the Librarian at my children's school. A parent saw that the
>>> library didn't have a computer, so she bought one at a yard sale.
>>> She said that the man told her the computer works "just fine". He
>>> even gave her the Windows XP Home Edition disk, in case there were
>>> any problems. Well, we decided it was best to re-install Windows XP
>>> due to problems.
>>
>>
>> Good! If I bought a used computer, the first thing I would do with it
>> would be to reinstall the operating system cleanly. You have no idea
>> how the computer has been maintained, what has been installed
>> incorrectly, what is missing, what viruses and spyware there may be,
>> etc. I wouldn't want to live with somebody else's mistakes and
>> problems, possibility of kiddie porn, etc., and I wouldn't recommend
>> that anyone else do either.
>>> It downloaded perfectly,
>>
>>
>> No, to "download" is normally to transfer a file from the internet
>> to your computer. You mean "it *installed* perfectly."
>>
>>
>>> but I keep getting the
>>> message to complete registration. The problem, WE DON'T HAVE THE
>>> INTERNET AT SCHOOL!! How can I register the product?!?
>>
>>
>>
>> Don't do it. Registration is completely optional and has no benefit
>> to you. It is only used for Microsoft's marketing purposes.
>>
>> It's "activation" that is required, and I'm sure that's what you
>> mean.
>>> I thought about bringing the computer home and using my connection,
>>> but would that make the computer registered to my account?
>>
>>
>> No. Activation is completely anonymous. It ties the operating system
>> to the hardware, not to a person.
>>
>> You can do that, or, more easily, just take the option to activate by
>> voice call to an 800 number.
>>
>> --
>> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
>> Please reply to the newsgroup