Remove All Your Personal Information When Getting Rid of Your Old PC

Thinking about updating to a new computer system? If so, whether you are planning to sell your old one, give it to a family member or even donate it to a good cause, you will want to properly prepare your old computer for it's new owner. The last thing you want, is to have someone else get a hold of your personal files, passwords or data that could make your life miserable. Also, if you're handing down or selling the old system, you'll want to give it a good tune-up to ensure the new owner a good working machine. Here are some simple steps that will assist in making a smooth transition.

Tranfer Your Data (Files)- The first thing you'll want to do, is transfer the files from the old computer to the new one. There are a couple methods that will work here. You can simply connect a file transfer cable to the 2 machines and do it that way. If your not transferring a lot of data, this will work just fine. In the event your tranferring a large volume of files, you can use the free on-line service called Pando. (Go to www.pando.com/beta) Pando will allow you to e-mail all your files to your new computer. Using BitTorrent peer-to-peer technology, Pando allows super fast transfer rates that bypass the typical size limits on e-mail attachments. The transferred files can remain on the Pando server for up to 14 days. Now that you have transferred all the data to the new machine, it's important to remove that data from the old machine.

Clean-Up the Old Computer- If you don't plan on keeping the old machine in your household, the next step is to completely remove those files from the old computer. Remember, simply deleting these files, reformatting or even repartitioning the hard drive will not prevent someone from getting to this information! To wipe out the drive completely, you'll want to use an overwrite program with a disk wipe utility. There are several programs that will suffice, one that is free is called Active@Kill Disk Hard Drive Eraser. This will wipe out everything on the drive, including the operating system and all applications. If you want to leave the OS and the installed software on the old computer, you can use a program called Webroot's Window Washer Utility. It run's about $30. This program will leave the OS and installed software intact. It will only wipe out your personal files, history files and log files. Other than any software program's you installed since purchasing the machine, this program make your old computer like it was the day you brought it home from the store.

Manuals, Software, Registration Doc's- If your selling or giving the old machine away, to assist the new owner, gather up all the manuals, software (CD's) and registration information that came with it. If you don't have the manual, go on-line to the company website (who made the computer). Most computer manufacturers have a website to access this information. The new owner will appreciate having this info. It will be much easier when they go to upgrade their new system.

Tune-Up- Before you pass the old system on to it's next home, take a couple minutes to give it one last cleaning. Wipe down the case. Make sure you check and clean the mouse (dirt builds up with time and use), and give the keyboard a once over. Also, clean up the monitor as well. You'll want to put a shine on it before passing it on. After all, your old machine took care of you up until now!

Say Good-Bye- If your not going to hand down or sell your old computer, don't just toss it! There are plenty of organizations everywhere that can use a working computer. Look for charities in your area, if you don't want to go through the hassle of trying to sell it.

Either way, make sure you take the time, to at least remove all the personal data once the transfer is complete. Don't be an easy target for some hacker.