Selling My Laptop

A question about : Selling My Laptop

Hi all,

I hope you are all well.

The time has come for me to sell my old Sony laptop as I now have a new one.

If I want to give it a deep clean (someone mentioned this to me recently, but it went right over my head. I've had a quick Google but it confused me), what exactly do I do? Is there any free software to do this or would I have to pay? Could one of your experts assist me please.

Many thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

Best answers:

• first, restore to factory settings, then use CCleaner's Wipe Free Space utility. If Vista or above, delete the windows.old folder on c drive before using ccleaner
• oops, should have said back up your personal data onto an external drive first...
• Best solution here, use fire.
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDfqwHck2Qg
• Take the Hard Drive out and keep it? Sell the laptop without the Hard Drive?
  All your data is on the HDD.
• While, personally, I'd take GunJack's advice, I don't agree with, "the amount of time, cost and effort it'd take to forensically examine (let alone recover data from) a well-wiped hdd just wouldn't be worth it to anyone..." - actually, crims buy old laptops on places like eBay specifically for such purposes as to commit fraudulent activity.
  All I'd say, mimi1234, is your old laptop a top spec so the resale price is worth the hassle of even putting up for sale? If you haven't already, you might want to check eBay for going sales rate at the mo for a similar spec laptop. You might end up thinking it's not worth the hassle, thus, taking a sledgehammer to it, or keeping it for use in future in case your new one dies.
• Thank you all for your time.
  I have saved all the paperwork I need.
  I will factory restore it tomorrow and then do the CCleaner that you have mentioned.
  Once again, I really appreciate your advice.
  Have a good day all.