I will sell my PC.how do i permanently erase all sensitive data from the hard disk, leaving no readable trace?
You can! Standard Way: Delete first everything on your harddisk that is sensitive. But don’t delete it normal. Use a SHREDDER program. You can get this for free on www.download.com The main problem is not to erase this data, the problem is to find ALL sensitive data. Usually it is easy. You delete (always with the SHREDDER) the Folder “My Documents”. Then you delete the Folder “Program Files”. Then delete with the same way the Folders that you created by yourself. Usually is in the Folder “Windows” no personal data. Don’t forget to delete the Folders “Temp” in Windows and on the Root. That should be enough. Highest Security: If you want to be 1.000.000% sure then do this: Download an Harddisk eraser tool. It will format your harddisk 7 times (CIA Limit for secure formating) and overwrite every time every cluster and bit with with an single bit+ and bit-. This is the best way and makes the harddisk absolutly clean. For this the Harddisk must be a Slave harddisk and you start the HD-Eras
