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I am thinking about buying a secondhand refurbished PC. I am expecting it to have an operating system already installed. Hopefully Windows XP in order to be compatible with some software that I have that is not compatible with Windows 7. My worry is this: How can I completely clear the hard drive from any of uninstalled program and files that may still be lurking on the drive? Is there any software that will do this effectively without uninstalling the operating system, hopefully for free? Also, after I have done this I would like to back up the system and make a recovery disc. What is the best way to do this?
Reformat and Reinstall Windows XP
Hopefully the shop where you purchase your refurbished PC will have already wiped the disk clean and reinstalled the Windows XP operating system from the original discs as part of the refurbish process. If not, and if the computer comes with the installation discs, you can reformat the drive and reinstall Windows XP on your own. The University of Iowa has a decent tutorial outlining how to do so on its IT Services Help site. By doing this, you will get rid of all of the original owner's personal settings, programs, and files and reinstall Windows XP.
Is your computer an Open Invitation for HACKERS? Download free version of Sparktrust Inspector to identify vulnerabilities and problems on your computer (and even your WEBSITES)!
However, you will also need to update Windows XP after reinstalling it to make sure it has the most current patches from Microsoft. Microsoft officially stopped supporting Windows XP with Service Pack 2 on July 13, 2010 and will stop supporting Windows XP with Service Pack 3 on April 8, 2014. If the refurbished computer comes with Service Pack 2, you will need to manually update it to Service Pack 3 in order to receive the latest updates. The Service Pack 3 download is available in Microsoft's Download Center. This Microsoft article explains exactly how to download and install Service Pack 3.
Create Backup and Recovery Discs in Windows XP
After installing Windows XP and updating it, you'll want to create a recovery disc. If only it were a simple matter of inserting a disc and clicking a few buttons, but alas, it isn't. PC Magazine wrote a detailed tutorial on how to create a recovery disc for Windows XP Service Pack 3 here.
As you can see, a lot of work goes into reformatting and reinstalling Windows XP and creating a recovery disc for it. As you search for a refurbished PC to buy, the current status of the disk should be an important factor. Most computer shops will have already done this as part of their service. If buying from a private party, it would be in the seller's best interest to wipe their hard disks clean for the sake of their own privacy though not all take the time to do so. Ideally, you'll want to select a refurbished computer with a fresh installation of Windows XP Service Pack 3.
Is your computer an Open Invitation for HACKERS? Download free version of Sparktrust Inspector to identify vulnerabilities and problems on your computer (and even your WEBSITES)!
Celeste Stewart | May 11th, 2012
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