Richard wrote:

> I'd zero wipe the drive to ensure that the previous owners data was
> gone. I would want no trace of their data on the machine.


If you simply reformat and reload Windows, for all practical purposes, it's
all gone. The only possible way any remnants of their data might ever be
recoverable is with the use of very expensive data recovery services. And
the longer you use the computer, the more you write to its drive, and the
less likely that such data recovery could be successful.

It's your choice of course, but in my view, doing what you suggest doesn't
hurt, but is enormous overkill. It's just a waste of time.

--
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:e0Q5v0XaHHA.4220@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> 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