Computer question...

[amc1980]

I have just bought a  new laptop and I am going to give my old p.c to my Mother. The problem is that there is all the usual kind of smut and porn on it, which I don't particularly want her or my Father stumbling upon, for obvious reasons. Is there an easy way to make the computer more "parent friendly".

Neither of them know too much about computers, so it does not have to be too thorough a job. Somebody told me to reformat the hard disc, but I have not got a clue how to go about doing this.

Any advice would be welcome.

[Nordic Superman]

Why don't you just format the drive prior to installing the OS?

Problem solved. Even Mi5 can't retrieve information from a formatted hard disk drive.

[amc1980]

Why don't you just format the drive prior to installing the OS?

Problem solved. Even Mi5 can't retrieve information from a formatted hard disk drive.

How do you format the drive?

i'm a bit of a spaz when it comes to computers.

[Nordic Superman]

Using windows I pressume?

Insert disc, follow instructions, there will be an option to format drive prior to installing.

Search online, thousands of tutorials.

[K-1]

How do you format the drive?

i'm a bit of a spaz when it comes to computers.

Just insert the windows os cd (assuming you're using windows)  and you will have an option to install the os and format the disk. Just follow the instructions. It will warn you that you will lose all your information if you choose the "partition" yadda yadda already found the OS loaded yadda yadda ...just keep on and go ahead with the setup.

tons of notes online.

your other option is to go out an either buy software to clean it or just install a new hard drive.

[Migs]

if you dnt have a copy of the OS, buy a copy of clean sweep at best buy or something and have it erase all your files

[Diesel1]

Why don't you just format the drive prior to installing the OS?

Problem solved. Even Mi5 can't retrieve information from a formatted hard disk drive.

I think they can

[amc1980]

That is the problem, I bought a dell computer and it came with XP loaded on it, but no disc.

Been on the dell forums and it is all a little too technical for me. I think I may just buy that clean sweep thing.

[Nordic Superman]

I think they can

A low-level format will wipe all data from a modern disk drive.

Simply deleting files or performaing a high level format which most lazy girls perform would allow Mr. Mi5 and Mi6 to read it.

[JasonH]

Very easy - download some software called CCLeaner from Download.com and also a programme called Abexo Registry cleaner (google for it -they're both free) and that should wipe the stuff from your computer. Also any files you know that contain it just send them to the recycle bin. If the computer's only for your Mum and Dad they won't be able to get very far if they go looking. I do it all the time with my wife!

[gordiano]

I have just bought a  new laptop and I am going to give my old p.c to my Mother. The problem is that there is all the usual kind of smut and porn on it, which I don't particularly want her or my Father stumbling upon, for obvious reasons. Is there an easy way to make the computer more "parent friendly".

Neither of them know too much about computers, so it does not have to be too thorough a job. Somebody told me to reformat the hard disc, but I have not got a clue how to go about doing this.

Any advice would be welcome.

Jeez, how selfish of you.


Let your parents enjoy the porn. 

[ieffinhatecardio]

Even Mi5 can't retrieve information from a formatted hard disk drive.

You bet your ass they can. Someone with the proper knowledge and tools can retrieve information from a formatted hard drive rather easily.

As far as his mother is concerned though formatting it will be fine but if I were selling the drive or giving it to someone outside my family then I'd create a Webroot System Eraser disc and overwrite the drive at least 7 times.

Only then would I feel safe enough to let someone I didn't know use the drive.

[240 is Back]

dude, put a nail in the HD and spend the $40 on a new one for mom and pop

[anvil]

I would consider a computer with plenty of porn already loaded a nice bonus; look at all the time it would save.

[YoMamaBeenLurking]

I would consider a computer with plenty of porn already loaded a nice bonus; look at all the time it would save.

Agreed

[The Showstoppa]

I have just bought a  new laptop and I am going to give my old p.c to my Mother. The problem is that there is all the usual kind of smut and porn on it, which I don't particularly want her or my Father stumbling upon, for obvious reasons. Is there an easy way to make the computer more "parent friendly".

Neither of them know too much about computers, so it does not have to be too thorough a job. Somebody told me to reformat the hard disc, but I have not got a clue how to go about doing this.

Any advice would be welcome.

Translation: He's not ready to come out of the closet. 

[liberty]

Ditto.........new drive....40 bucks

[amc1980]

Ditto.........new drive....40 bucks

My main problem is that the OS on the computer came preloaded, would there be any way to transfer it to the new hard disc?

Translation: He's not ready to come out of the closet. 

Piss poor, as per usual.

[liberty]

http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Hardware_Software/2005/harddrive_format.asp

[Migs]

My main problem is that the OS on the computer came preloaded, would there be any way to transfer it to the new hard disc?

Piss poor, as per usual.

like i said buy clean sweep or something similar and be done with it