BigCoffeeK
Can someone please advise me on how I can DELETE all personal information like social security numbers, checking account numbers, and all info from the memory chip from my old Windows XP desktop?
I want to dispose my old desktop, but I fear simply tossing my desktop on the curb for the sanitation department to pick up.
Is there a FREE program online that I can use on my old PC that can totally DELETE all personal information? Thank you very much! I truly appreciate your assistance!
Answer
Use DBAN. It will clear a hard drive beyond recovery using random data over several passes. It is free, and works as a bootable disc.
Download it, burn it to a CD, shut down, plug in ONLY the hard drive you intend to delete, turn the PC on, and boot from the CD.
You can select where to boot from from the BIOs, or from the boot menu. It's usually accessed by pressing the F2 or F5 key, or the Del key, or something very similar, as soon as the computer is turned on. The key you need to press varies from motherboard to motherboard.
You can do a Secure Erase, which is superior to DBAN or Eraser, but requires much more know-how. Read up on it here and see if you'd be up for it, otherwise, stick with DBAN.
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/storage/how-to-really-erase-a-hard-drive/129
Also, I've used Eraser before, but I do not remember an option for formatiing and securing a HDD. I believe it just allows files shredding and wiping of unused disc space, not the entire disc itself. I could be wrong though.
Use DBAN. It will clear a hard drive beyond recovery using random data over several passes. It is free, and works as a bootable disc.
Download it, burn it to a CD, shut down, plug in ONLY the hard drive you intend to delete, turn the PC on, and boot from the CD.
You can select where to boot from from the BIOs, or from the boot menu. It's usually accessed by pressing the F2 or F5 key, or the Del key, or something very similar, as soon as the computer is turned on. The key you need to press varies from motherboard to motherboard.
You can do a Secure Erase, which is superior to DBAN or Eraser, but requires much more know-how. Read up on it here and see if you'd be up for it, otherwise, stick with DBAN.
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/storage/how-to-really-erase-a-hard-drive/129
Also, I've used Eraser before, but I do not remember an option for formatiing and securing a HDD. I believe it just allows files shredding and wiping of unused disc space, not the entire disc itself. I could be wrong though.
How do I build my own gaming computer?
Question M
I am 19 and I have no idea on how to do it. Everyone says " building your computer is the best option" but I don't know what a graphics card is or what a terrabyte is or any of that (I don't bragg my system specs to people). How does one build one and where can I find all the parts? I obviously don't want to go everywhere just to find what I'm looking for. If not, what are some good computers at Frys or Best buy?
Answer
You will want to use www.newegg.com because they offer the largest discounted inventory out of anyone else. Also, if you live near a micro center, get a processor and motherboard from them because they are the cheapest in the country there.
Firstly you want to decide how much you want to spend, and choose your parts accordingly. You also want to keep in mind what your end goals are. Gaming for example, would mean that you will be putting more into your processor and graphics card than if you were to be building a desktop dedicated to media.
Choose a CPU. (The i5-3570k is probably the best bang for your buck out there right now. It's a top 5% CPU in almost everything, and can be had for $180)
Once you choose a CPU you want to look for a motherboard that supports the same socket as the CPU you picked out. (Most of the new Intel Ivy bridge chips are socket 1155, so they require an 1155 motherboard)
Choose your motherboard wisely because it will determine the speed of your storage/memory/video setup.
Hard drives can be 3gb/s or 6gb/s. If you get a motherboard that only supports 3gb/s than you are limited to 3gb/s hard drives (6gb/s hard drives will still work but they will be capped at 3gb/s)
Pretty much any current desktop is going to use DDR3 memory. You want to pick memory that your chosen motherboard supports. So for example, if your motherboard says 1866/1600/1333, those are the DDR3 speeds it supports. Relatively, the higher the number the faster it is (computing speeds don't always equate to real life speed differences). You also have to pay attention to the amount of memory your motherboard supports. A lot of cheap motherboards only support 8gb, and only 4gb per stick max.
Your video card is more than likely going to be the most expensive priece in your system. In general, the more expensive the card, the higher it performs. There are some exceptions, but not a lot. Don't buy anything that isn't in the GeForce GTX or Radeon HD family.
Next depending on the system you have specced out, you will need a power supply. NEVER NEVER NEVER use a PSU that comes with a pc case or in a DIY kit. They are ALL junk. The PSU is arguably the most important part in your computer. Not only do you have to make sure you have enough power for your entire system under load, but you need it to be reliable! If your PSU dies upon use, than you run the chance of it shorting out other components in your system. Look up a "PSU teir list" before choosing a PSU.
Anyway, there is some general info. It's actually really easy, and a lot of fun, and once you put everything together, it's very satisfying using it for the first time. There are so many guides floating around on the Internet that you shouldn't have a problem.
If you go through with the build, I suggest you not ask your questions on Yahoo Answers next time. There are much more resourceful sites. Tomshardware, overclockers.net, and the guys on reddit.com/r/buildapc are awesome.
Good luck.
You will want to use www.newegg.com because they offer the largest discounted inventory out of anyone else. Also, if you live near a micro center, get a processor and motherboard from them because they are the cheapest in the country there.
Firstly you want to decide how much you want to spend, and choose your parts accordingly. You also want to keep in mind what your end goals are. Gaming for example, would mean that you will be putting more into your processor and graphics card than if you were to be building a desktop dedicated to media.
Choose a CPU. (The i5-3570k is probably the best bang for your buck out there right now. It's a top 5% CPU in almost everything, and can be had for $180)
Once you choose a CPU you want to look for a motherboard that supports the same socket as the CPU you picked out. (Most of the new Intel Ivy bridge chips are socket 1155, so they require an 1155 motherboard)
Choose your motherboard wisely because it will determine the speed of your storage/memory/video setup.
Hard drives can be 3gb/s or 6gb/s. If you get a motherboard that only supports 3gb/s than you are limited to 3gb/s hard drives (6gb/s hard drives will still work but they will be capped at 3gb/s)
Pretty much any current desktop is going to use DDR3 memory. You want to pick memory that your chosen motherboard supports. So for example, if your motherboard says 1866/1600/1333, those are the DDR3 speeds it supports. Relatively, the higher the number the faster it is (computing speeds don't always equate to real life speed differences). You also have to pay attention to the amount of memory your motherboard supports. A lot of cheap motherboards only support 8gb, and only 4gb per stick max.
Your video card is more than likely going to be the most expensive priece in your system. In general, the more expensive the card, the higher it performs. There are some exceptions, but not a lot. Don't buy anything that isn't in the GeForce GTX or Radeon HD family.
Next depending on the system you have specced out, you will need a power supply. NEVER NEVER NEVER use a PSU that comes with a pc case or in a DIY kit. They are ALL junk. The PSU is arguably the most important part in your computer. Not only do you have to make sure you have enough power for your entire system under load, but you need it to be reliable! If your PSU dies upon use, than you run the chance of it shorting out other components in your system. Look up a "PSU teir list" before choosing a PSU.
Anyway, there is some general info. It's actually really easy, and a lot of fun, and once you put everything together, it's very satisfying using it for the first time. There are so many guides floating around on the Internet that you shouldn't have a problem.
If you go through with the build, I suggest you not ask your questions on Yahoo Answers next time. There are much more resourceful sites. Tomshardware, overclockers.net, and the guys on reddit.com/r/buildapc are awesome.
Good luck.
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