[SOLVED] Help formatting a Dell PC
February 4th, 2014
My question is:
Can I just get a regular Win 7 Home Premium prog and install or do I have to download the Dell specific OS?
I plan to donate it to a nonprofit animal rescue center that’s really low on funds and in need of a pc. I don’t feel comfortable handing it over with someone else’s data/ info on the disc as it wasn’t formatted before they tossed it.
TIA
Yes you can,You wont have any problems,For the record,In most cases formatting does not erase all data beyond recovery!
That only happens if you do a full format using Vista/Win7,Doing a quick/full format from any other OS or partition tool
does not overwrite anything,You really should use DBAN for this task:
http://www.dban.org/
Thank you Roberto400. LOL we must be twins as I was just thinking the same thing re: erasing. Maybe just pickup a new HD and reinstall the OS. Thanks also for the dban link…downloaded and saved.
P.S. The critters also thank you
whats up roberto man u always helping glad u are here..
Hum. Sorry to ask that, but the opening poster asks for a good way to format a drive and reinstall windows 7 (no you do not need a specific Dell OS, don’t worry, just use whatever OS you wish ), then donate the renewed computer to an animal shelter low on funds and needing a computer…
And the topic then diverges about fully erasing data beyond any possible recovery.
I’m sorry, I’m of course not trying to be rude to anyone As usual, just trying to understand, for some reason, I like to understand stuff :p
But… What is the common point between the question and answer ?
You guys really think that the people receiving a free, working computer, with a new OS installed, already clean from viruses and such (long life to a regular format !), will, as their very first action as soon as you have turned your back… Try to recover all your, or the previous owner at least, personnal information ?
Hummm… Only think I can think of is that thinking like that is only plausible if you have 0 trust in those people and really see them as shaddy. In that case, why give them a free computer ?
Keep them for yourself, and multibox on mmorpgs ! :p
Elrad135 replied: Hum. Sorry to ask that, but the opening poster asks for a good way to format a drive and reinstall windows 7 (no you do not need a specific Dell OS, don't worry, just use whatever OS you wish ), then donate the renewed computer to an animal shelter low on funds and needing a computer...
And the topic then diverges about fully erasing data beyond any possible recovery.
I'm sorry, I'm of course not trying to be rude to anyone As usual, just trying to understand, for some reason, I like to understand stuff :p
But... What is the common point between the question and answer ?
You guys really think that the people receiving a free, working computer, with a new OS installed, already clean from viruses and such (long life to a regular format !), will, as their very first action as soon as you have turned your back... Try to recover all your, or the previous owner at least, personnal information ?
Hummm... Only think I can think of is that thinking like that is only plausible if you have 0 trust in those people and really see them as shaddy. In that case, why give them a free computer ?
Keep them for yourself, and multibox on mmorpgs ! :p
0 trust in those people
hey, mail me your hard drive, I promise nothing will happen,
you just have to TRUST ME.
I shoot my hard drives when they go bad. That way they will
not get in the wrong hands. Better than blasting glass, better
for the enviroment.
This is one method of getting personal informaion from, a hard drive
that was not stripped of it’s X’s and 0’s.
I read time after time, hard drive passed down to the wrong hands.
Do you trust Best Buy? They got busted for not cleaning up the
hard drive. This person that bought the used hard drive
was from another state at a flea market. Best buy
fooked up.
YES, for on-line security you can not trust anyone with your
old personal hard drive. PERIOD.
Time for you to buy a gun, its legal now
Roberto400 replied: Yes you can,You wont have any problems,For the record,In most cases formatting does not erase all data beyond recovery!
That only happens if you do a full format using Vista/Win7,Doing a quick/full format from any other OS or partition tool
does not overwrite anything,You really should use DBAN for this task:
http://www.dban.org/
similar Active KillDISK i use to reformat partitions for reinstallation of OS’es
though does DBAN perform a better job even though the erase methods are practically the same as KillDISK…
Elrad135 replied: Hum. Sorry to ask that, but the opening poster asks for a good way to format a drive and reinstall windows 7 (no you do not need a specific Dell OS, don't worry, just use whatever OS you wish ), then donate the renewed computer to an animal shelter low on funds and needing a computer...
And the topic then diverges about fully erasing data beyond any possible recovery.
I'm sorry, I'm of course not trying to be rude to anyone As usual, just trying to understand, for some reason, I like to understand stuff :p
But... What is the common point between the question and answer ?
You guys really think that the people receiving a free, working computer, with a new OS installed, already clean from viruses and such (long life to a regular format !), will, as their very first action as soon as you have turned your back... Try to recover all your, or the previous owner at least, personnal information ?
Hummm... Only think I can think of is that thinking like that is only plausible if you have 0 trust in those people and really see them as shaddy. In that case, why give them a free computer ?
Keep them for yourself, and multibox on mmorpgs ! :p
Hum. Sorry to ask that, but the opening poster asks for a good way to format a drive and reinstall windows 7
Roberto was just giving me options and I already know how to format a HD
And the topic then diverges about fully erasing data beyond any possible recovery.
Knowledge is power and Roberto400 was just giving me options and his knowledge and assistance is appreciated.
Hummm… Only think I can think of is that thinking like that is only plausible if you have 0 trust in those people and really see them as shaddy. In that case, why give them a free computer
I volunteer for many non profits and; most are honourable and trustworthy.
Here’s the perfect example. 3 yrs ago I gave a pc to a friend. Before doing so I installed a new HD for which they paid. Last yr they donated it to a non profit garage sale…where is it now and who has access to the data on the HD?
Keep them for yourself, and multibox on mmorpgs
Already have 3 pc’s, a laptop and an IPhone…why would I need another?
My original main concern was about installing a new OS on a Dell as I have never owned one. I understand they have multiple paswwords/ id #’s on:
the pc case, the bios and the original OS CD. I was under the belief that the bios # MUST match the OS CD #. Unfortunately I do not have the original OS CD and I have no problem with being concerned with protecting other people’s privacy…it’s just who I am
Woah, morale of the story… I MUST stop being so naive and nice.
It really never came to my mind that people, especially those you know, and somewhat trust at least, would do that kind of things
Dell… I remember when my mom brought one 10 years ago at least… (she still has it… it’s a dinosaur… but well she changed it recently), and I tried to upgrade it a bit by giving her my old, compatible parts… Just opening the case was a challenge
Anyway. Of course I won’t give you my precious harddrives Toothless, you made a few mistakes in your try at gaining my personnal informations, here’s which : (this is humor of course :p )
– You told me to be prudent, and I listened :p
– I do not know you, and therefore, have no reason to trust you particularly :p
– You do not need a brand new computer, cause your old one is taking dust obviously :p (or you are somewhat in a strange board :p )
So, thinking about that, work on it, and I’m sure you’ll get free non erased hard drives soon from many people on the net :p