- 1). Utilize an advanced deletion tool such as Eraser (see Resources) to remove your most sensitive data before taking any other steps. Eraser will delete and rewrite over the section of the hard drive that formerly contained the sensitive information, making it far more difficult to retrieve. Use this to get rid of all of your personal financial information and other private information.
- 2). Format your PC to remove all data from the machine by inserting the Windows installation CD and rebooting your computer. Press any key when indicated to boot from the CD, then follow the on-screen instructions until you reach the "Format Drive" screen. Format your PC using the FAT32 file system method. Turn the PC off before Windows is installed.
- 3). Format your Mac by inserting the installation CD into the drive. Reboot the computer, pressing "C" during the start-up procedure to start from the CD.
Select the "Open Disk Utilities" option when the disc installer boots up. From there, simply select the hard drive that you wish to format and select the "Erase" option, following the remainder of the on-screen instructions to commence the automated format process. - 4). Take a large magnet to your computer and run it around and over the front lower section of the case, which is where the hard drive is located. This will scramble the magnetic data contained therein, making it less comprehensible and reducing the possibility that it could be reconstructed.
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