wiping laptop hard drive

See here:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/15817/wipe-delete-and-securely-destroy-your-hard-drives-data-the-easy-way/

Not that easy to use it's kinda old style looking. You may also be able to get a free software off your hard drive manufacturer's webpage. Basically there are diff tests available like off that link the better the cleaner type the longer it takes - this means hours or even day(s).

You may need to create a CD/DVD to boot the computer up and do it that way or do it thru USB if you don't have one but USB booting can be tricky, it's not legacy, can be time consuming and tricky to set up. Or take the HD out and plug it into a computer with a DVD drive and do it that way.

This one a bit easier to use but you would need a running computer (Windows) and plug your HD as a 2nd drive inorder to do it. Or do the old DOS way ie before Windows 95 with a boot disk, DVD, CD etc.... From a glance it may not be as elaborate or that intensive should be ok thou for most pple.

http://how-to-erase-hard-drive.com/

Edited by: Rayonline

Would be the answer if it would let me connect to the internet. But I can't download anything.

How are you getting on the net here then?

If you cannot get on the internet then I guess you cannot get these more elaborate software to perform the wipe. You can use the computer you are using now on LP, download it, make that CD and boot the laptop that up in question. If it does have a CD Drive that is.

The old laptop does indeed have a CD drive, but I'm accessing LP on an iPad, which doesn't!! I think I'll go for dismantling as much as I can and bashing it with a hammer.

if you can't download any software then a hammer is best.

Rayonline - FYI DBAN has been one of the best (freeware) disk wiping software around. I have used it and also the company I used to work for also uses it to wipe our clients' PCs before selling them.

or use a internet cafe or borrow someone's laptop.

I`ve answered similar questions for most of the last 30 years, and I always have to ask.... Why?

Whats on there that is so important that you think someone will take the time to find it? Once youve erased it, I mean. And/or reinstalled a new OS after wiping it?

Worst can I can imagine is that text file with all your bank accts, PINs, and passwords. Change them all.

Oh, oops, could be porn. I see the problem :)

No it isn't porn.
I've been told that stuff like bank details can be retrieved from a computer even if they aren't in a file marked 'Confidential - bank details and passwords ' and I am nervous about just discarding it at the local tip. That's why I asked for help in wiping the hard drive without having internet access.

And Pirate - if I knew how to erase it and reinstall an 'OS' whatever that is - I wouldn't have asked for help.