 |
| FAQ/Help |
| Calendar |
| Search |
|
#1
Oct 30, 2008, 11:35 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
So i have an old computer and ive taken all i want from it, but before i give it away i would like to restore it to the factory settings. The reason i want to do this is that i would hate for any of my private "musings" mainly letters to my T to still be there and be found by a new owner. Its a Dell if that means anything to anyone. I should say im a technical moron so if anyone has anyideas could they tell me in plain english cos i really dont have a clue.
__________________
 good things come to those who wait, and wait and wait |
|
#2
Oct 31, 2008, 05:12 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Restoring your computer to factory settings won't get rid of any files you have on the hard drive. The best way to get rid of them (and even then, someone who knows a good amount can access them but not the typical computer user) is to format your hard drive and reload your operating system brand new.
The factory settings are strictly for how your computer runs....sorry hon.  sabby |
|
#3
Oct 31, 2008, 05:53 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Hey no problem. I have deleted everything and i suppose at the end of the day the stuff im worried about is just stupid letters ive written to my T. Im a worry wart and always have to be sure then more sure and just a little surer again. I wouldnt want the new computers owner to find out im a nut, but then its my sister who will be getting it and she knows im a nut case anyway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
__________________
good things come to those who wait, and wait and wait |
|
#4
Oct 31, 2008, 06:11 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
(((((((((((((((((( allthegirls6))))))))))))))))))))))))
You should be all set then....at least it's only going to a relative and you can explains stuff off without a worry LOL.  sabby |
|
#5
Oct 31, 2008, 08:07 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Deleting your files doesn't delete your files, it only deletes the file name, so it can't be called up. Anyone with a little savvy can locate and open the files.
Since you've already deleted the files, though, you probably need to google some free program to help you out. I find that opening a file, deleting the data and then saving the file with nothing in it first, then deleting it works fair. Sorry.
__________________
|
 Zorah
|
|
#6
Oct 31, 2008, 08:09 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Sorry, anyone with a little savvy can recover your data, it's still there. What deleting does is delete the file name, but enough of that is left still anyway. (It used to be the only way we could recover files, guessing the file name once in the system.) Now there are free programs to recover the data.
MOVING the data from the hard drive to disks or another hard drive works. That's what I had done when the mother board died on my boat anchor HP desktop. Good wishes!
__________________
|
| sabby, Zorah
|
|
#7
Nov 04, 2008, 12:41 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
thanks for this. I never thought of that
__________________
good things come to those who wait, and wait and wait |
| Reply |
This is an old thread. You probably should not post your reply to it, as the original poster is unlikely to see it.|
|
My Support Forums is the online community that was originally begun as the Psych Central Forums in 2001. It now runs as an independent self-help support group community for mental health, personality, and psychological issues and is overseen by a group of dedicated, caring volunteers from around the world.
Linear Mode
