Computer Problems? Computing.Net has over 1,000,000 posts about all things technology related! Over 90% answered within 24 hours! Click here to start participating now! Also, be sure to check out the New User Guide.
Want to erase hard drive
Name: SMC1219 Date: October 3, 2005 at 18:45:28 Pacific OS: Windows ME 4.90.3000 CPU/Ram: PIII 127.0MB
Comment:
I want to erase my hard drive before I give it to charity. My CD drive doesn't work, so I can't use my Compaq Recovery Disk (I don't know whether that erases everything or not anyway). What is the cheapest, easiest way for me to remove all data from this computer? Thanks!
Name: gdivens51 Date: October 3, 2005 at 19:35:18 Pacific
Reply:
http://www.killdisk.com/
0
Response Number 2
Name: SMC1219 Date: October 3, 2005 at 20:04:12 Pacific
Reply:
I already went to killdisk and followed the instructions, created a bootable floppy (for autoexecute mode) -- but when I tried to boot up with the floppy in the drive, it didn't go to DOS. Instead, I just got the same message you always get when you try to start your computer with a floppy in the drive. I read the troubleshooting guide but I honestly can't understand what I'm supposed to do to prevent that. I was hoping maybe there was an easier way.
0
Response Number 3
Name: jboy Date: October 3, 2005 at 20:16:22 Pacific
Reply:
... then you didn't create a bootable floppy, now did you??
Bootdisks are widely available - you have to execute the file to create the actual boot diskette. Boot to DOS (98 or ME would likely be best) and then pop in the killdisk floppy and run it
We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology
0
Response Number 4
Name: plainandsimple Date: October 4, 2005 at 00:52:20 Pacific
Reply:
WOW! a page of how to download KILLDISK..
http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm
0
Response Number 5
Name: Mechanix2Go Date: October 4, 2005 at 04:01:25 Pacific
Reply:
With ME you can:
format a: /s
boot on it and run whatever.
Not quite RS.
If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.
M2
0
Response Number 6
Name: Jennifer SUMN Date: October 4, 2005 at 07:08:09 Pacific
Reply:
Did you set your Floppy as first boot device?
Soylent Green is PEOPLE!!!
0
Response Number 7
Name: SMC1219 Date: October 5, 2005 at 17:25:25 Pacific
Reply:
Problem solved. Jboy wins the prize. I had not executed the file after downloading it. Not sure how I missed that. I'm usually better-than-average at this sort of thing, even though it is not my area of expertise.(Just so you know, plainandsimple, I had already downloadeded killdisk. That wasn't the problem.)
Thanks to all who offered help with sincerity rather than sarcasm.
0
Response Number 8
Name: jboy Date: October 5, 2005 at 19:40:23 Pacific
Reply:
Many folks aren't aware that the downloadable image files are not themselves bootable. It takes more than just one file to boot into DOS.
The d/l site is handy, but Windows also has the option of creating a diskette.
Glad it all worked out
0
Response Number 9
Name: lukeles Date: October 26, 2005 at 20:37:16 Pacific
Reply:
You can use Dos version of Partition Table Doctor to "fill sector"
Summary: When I shut down Windows ME the system hangs in a black screen for a while, then I get a blue screen informing me that Windows cannot save files to the Hard Drive. I the click OK and it shuts down can...
0 
