You don’t know me. I’m ky’s old friend. I don’t normally bug people I don’t know but I’m a bit stuck. (computerwise and thought you might be able to help)
I’m trying to delete most of my private files/ folders/ etc... because I got a laptop and selling my old computer and I’m now stuck with no idea what to do to get rid of something.
The main problem is, well I don't know the name of it but I’ll try to describe it. When you are on the net "like" on a search engine and you type in a few letters it will show all previous searches on a list box to try to make it easier but now I wish for it to "stop" and can’t find out where/ how to do it.
Can't help you there, I'm afraid. I've never tried to clean up a Windows machine in that way; finding that sort of hidden data is much easier on Unix. Sorry :-/
To be sure, you basically need to wipe the disk and (assuming you're selling it as blank but with Windows installed) reinstall the OS.
If you don't know exactly what you're doing and don't want stray personal details left on the thing, then the best bet here would be to find a local Linux geek and ask them personally to (and I quote) use a Linux boot disk to "dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda" to wipe the disk, then reinstall Windows using whatever CDs you got with the machine. Make sure you've moved anything you *do* want to keep off before this though; only the military get to recover data after that sort of destruction!
Thanks, but I didn't want to be that harsh. I just wanted to know an easy way to destroy those hidden files without messing up the machine. (as most programs I have no CDs, or access to them anymore)
I don't think I'll be able to wipe the disk, if I wanted or not.
Do: Internet Explorer -> Tools Menu -> Options ... -> Content tab -> Autocomplete settings button.
That should give you "Clear forms" and "Clear passwords" buttons, which should solve the previous search problem. There's also a "Clear history" button somewhere near there which should help.
If you can do a full wipe and reinstall of the old computer, then do so. It's much easier and you KNOW you've found everything then.
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I’m trying to delete most of my private files/ folders/ etc... because I got a laptop and selling my old computer and I’m now stuck with no idea what to do to get rid of something.
The main problem is, well I don't know the name of it but I’ll try to describe it. When you are on the net "like" on a search engine and you type in a few letters it will show all previous searches on a list box to try to make it easier but now I wish for it to "stop" and can’t find out where/ how to do it.
Any help would be great!
If you don't know exactly what you're doing and don't want stray personal details left on the thing, then the best bet here would be to find a local Linux geek and ask them personally to (and I quote) use a Linux boot disk to "dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda" to wipe the disk, then reinstall Windows using whatever CDs you got with the machine. Make sure you've moved anything you *do* want to keep off before this though; only the military get to recover data after that sort of destruction!
I don't think I'll be able to wipe the disk, if I wanted or not.
That should give you "Clear forms" and "Clear passwords" buttons, which should solve the previous search problem. There's also a "Clear history" button somewhere near there which should help.
If you can do a full wipe and reinstall of the old computer, then do so. It's much easier and you KNOW you've found everything then.