How to Erase Hard Drives on Laptops
While deleting a file may feel secure, the file that you've deleted is easily recovered. To really clean up your hard drive and get rid of your files for good, you've got to erase the drive. To ensure your security, when you erase the drive you need to write over the data several times so that your information is not recoverable. The easiest way to erase a hard drive on your laptop is to purchase hard drive erasing software.
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Instructions
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Erasing Your Laptop's Hard Drive Using Software
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Compare software that erases hard drives. You want to purchase a program that will not only erase the drive completely, but also rewrite the drive at least three times. If your hard drive is partitioned, and you only want to erase the partitioned area, look for software that will erase only sections of the hard drive.
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Purchase or download hard drive erasing software from a computer store or trusted, reputable website. Some hard drive erasing software is offered as freeware, so that you can download and use it for free. You may also choose to purchase the software either over the Internet or on a disc from a computer store.
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Download and install the software as suggested by the manufacturer. If you've purchase a disc containing the software, insert it into your CD drive on the laptop and follow the onscreen instructions. Downloaded software may need to be burned onto a CD before use, depending on the manufacturer.
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Follow the on-screen prompts or manufacturer's directions to erase the hard drive on your laptop using the software.
Erasing a Mac Laptop Hard Drive
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Place the Mac OS X disc into the CD drive on your laptop and then restart the computer with the disc in the drive.
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Hold the "C" key on the keyboard as the computer is restarting, which will bring up a menu.
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Choose "Open Disc Utilities" in the Installer menu, then click on the hard drive that you want to erase.
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Click on "Erase." A pop-up will appear where you can select "Options."
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Select "Zero All Data" within the options in the pop-up menu. Begin the erasing by clicking on "OK" and "Erase."
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Tips & Warnings
Prices for hard drive erasing software range from free up to $100 dollars, with the more expensive versions having more options and customization.
Set aside large chunks of time for erasing a hard drive. While you will not be required to be at the laptop for the entire time, the laptop will need to be on for several hours while the hard drive is being erased.
References
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