I have changed to a Mac. I want to give my friend my old windows computer sysytem. I am running a legal copy of windows vista that was installed on my acer when I got it, I dont have a disc. I would like to format the drive so I am positive all my info is gone from the hard drive, can I do that without having the disc? I would like to hand my friend a clean computer without any of my info on it

How can I do this?

thanks in advance

Before wiping anything you need to make sure your Acer has a way to get Windows back.

My old Acer had a recovery partition that was enabled by an option in the BIOS, running this put it back like it came from the factory (and as an aside removed all the documents etc).

If you have a manual it should tell you how to go about it.

Before wiping anything you need to make sure your Acer has a way to get Windows back.

My old Acer had a recovery partition that was enabled by an option in the BIOS, running this put it back like it came from the factory (and as an aside removed all the documents etc).

If you have a manual it should tell you how to go about it.

this looks like its going to work. I clicked it so I hope so but from the description it will. thanks for that, I will post with the outcome tomorrow

edit: It did it in minutes and it didnt seem to do anything. I clicked restore system to factory default.

I am looking to clear the disk of all info and leave apps or if I must clear the disk with just a clean copy of vista with none of my info on the computer, like when I brought it

Edited June 7, 201115 yr by Lost in LOS

I would like to format the drive so I am positive all my info is gone from the hard drive, can I do that without having the disc? I would like to hand my friend a clean computer without any of my info on it

Use disk partitioning software (e.g. GParted) to delete or format all partitions on the drive. Do keep in mind, with this method, data can still be recovered by disk recovery tools.

Your other option is to delete AND destroy data with Darik's Boot And Nuke.

Just use the Factory Restore option and then use CCleaner's Drive Wiper(under 'Tools') to wipe the Free Space. Don't delete all of the partitions as you will not only delete the Recovery Partition, but you will also break the Pre-installation environment.

Just use the Factory Restore option and then use CCleaner's Drive Wiper(under 'Tools') to wipe the Free Space. Don't delete all of the partitions as you will not only delete the Recovery Partition, but you will also break the Pre-installation environment.

I did the factory restore and the ccleaner wiper. The computer still doesnt look like when I brought it, it has stuff I had added later. How can I make it look just like it did, with nothing additonal when I brought it? Possible without formatting [and without the windows disk]?

thanks for everyone's help so far

Just use the Factory Restore option and then use CCleaner's Drive Wiper(under 'Tools') to wipe the Free Space. Don't delete all of the partitions as you will not only delete the Recovery Partition, but you will also break the Pre-installation environment.

I did the factory restore and the ccleaner wiper. The computer still doesnt look like when I brought it, it has stuff I had added later. How can I make it look just like it did, with nothing additonal when I brought it? Possible without formatting [and without the windows disk]?

thanks for everyone's help so far

You need to do a Destructive Factory Restore.

Don't delete all of the partitions as you will not only delete the Recovery Partition, but you will also break the Pre-installation environment.

I was under the impression the OP wanted to start from scratch.

I did the factory restore and the ccleaner wiper. The computer still doesnt look like when I brought it, it has stuff I had added later. How can I make it look just like it did, with nothing additonal when I brought it? Possible without formatting [and without the windows disk]?

thanks for everyone's help so far

What's the model?

Do you have an Acer Recovery CD?

You can also use the D2D option. You usually have to reboot the laptop and just as it is restarting; press ALT + F10. That will also take you a Recovery Menu.

Before you do this you should go in to ACER eRecovery and choose the Burn Discs option in order to create some Recovery Discs in the case of a future HDD failure. You may need up to four blank DVDs.

If you like you can check that the D2D option is Enabled by rebooting the computer and hitting F2 just as it is starting up. This will take you in to the BIOS screen. Under the 'Main' option check that D2D is Enabled. If it is, you can jus Exit. If it isn't, enabled it and then Save Changes and Exit.

What is the model number of the laptop in question?

Don't delete all of the partitions as you will not only delete the Recovery Partition, but you will also break the Pre-installation environment.

I was under the impression the OP wanted to start from scratch.

I did the factory restore and the ccleaner wiper. The computer still doesnt look like when I brought it, it has stuff I had added later. How can I make it look just like it did, with nothing additonal when I brought it? Possible without formatting [and without the windows disk]?

thanks for everyone's help so far

What's the model?

Do you have an Acer Recovery CD?

yes I do have a recovery CD.

I have two partitions on my drive from the factory. C and H Most of my info in on H and programs on C I see on CC cleaner an option to wipe all info from a drive, and i can click on H, will that only take info and leave my Computer working? I have two recovery disks I made when I got the computer, use these to bring it back, not sure how they work

Don't delete all of the partitions as you will not only delete the Recovery Partition, but you will also break the Pre-installation environment.

I was under the impression the OP wanted to start from scratch.

I did the factory restore and the ccleaner wiper. The computer still doesnt look like when I brought it, it has stuff I had added later. How can I make it look just like it did, with nothing additonal when I brought it? Possible without formatting [and without the windows disk]?

thanks for everyone's help so far

What's the model?

Do you have an Acer Recovery CD?

Starting from scratch does not and should not mean deleting the Recovery Partition and breaking the Pre-installation environment.

There is no good reason for doing so. That is the whole point of Recovery Partitions/Discs.

Perhaps the OP can give some details as to what steps he has taken so far. Perhaps he has chosen the wrong options.

Don't delete all of the partitions as you will not only delete the Recovery Partition, but you will also break the Pre-installation environment.

I was under the impression the OP wanted to start from scratch.

I did the factory restore and the ccleaner wiper. The computer still doesnt look like when I brought it, it has stuff I had added later. How can I make it look just like it did, with nothing additonal when I brought it? Possible without formatting [and without the windows disk]?

thanks for everyone's help so far

What's the model?

Do you have an Acer Recovery CD?

yes I do have a recovery CD.

I have two partitions on my drive from the factory. C and H Most of my info in on H and programs on C I see on CC cleaner an option to wipe all info from a drive, and i can click on H, will that only take info and leave my Computer working? I have two recovery disks I made when I got the computer, use these to bring it back, not sure how they work

Yes, wipe H:(not sure why it is H:) using the Guttmann method via CCleaner's Drive Wiper. The Recovery Process only replaces what is on the C: Drive precisely for the reason to preserve the data that people put on the DATA drive.

Perhaps Guttmann is overkill and will take too long. You can use NSA. Make sure that only H: has a tick inserted. Choose 'Entire Drive' > NSA > Wipe...

Edited June 8, 201115 yr by Jiu-Jitsu

Yes, wipe H:(not sure why it is H:) using the Guttmann method via CCleaner's Drive Wiper. The Recovery Process only replaces what is on the C: Drive precisely for the reason to preserve the data that people put on the DATA drive.

Perhaps Guttmann is overkill and will take too long. You can use NSA. Make sure that only H: has a tick inserted. Choose 'Entire Drive' > NSA > Wipe...

Thanks, i will give this a try. Not sure why this is H either but the computer came that way, I do have two extra slots in the front for slide in drives and two cd drive, maybe that is it

thanks I will update when done