How do you clean a computer before giving away ?

[Rome]

Does anybody know how to clean up a computer before I give it away. I'm only talking about Photo's, CV & some college work. Nothing to personal except for the CV. If I delete from recycle bin are they still on the hard drive.

Thanks

 

[forbes]

Well the data could still be retrieved.
Use DBAN
http://www.dban.org/

Install it on a cd or floppy disk. It securely wipes your hard drive.

 

[ClubMan]

?

 

[shoegal]

Hi Rome, it's not clear from your post if you want to format/clean the whole PC or just delete some personal documents. If you format it using a tool from the Internet or otherwise you will wipe the OS also. Do you wish to do that?

 

[machalla]

Here is a free tool that will completely and securely (use at your own risk) erase your hard disk. No data will be recoverable. Do not use this if you wish to keep the operating system on the machine or do not have the media to reinstall the operating system!

[broken link removed]

I should say that it is possible to only erase individual folders with this tool also if you only wish to selectively delete items. My standard practice is to wipe an entire hard disk, reinstall the OS then pass it along.