I need a program to clean out all my files on my personal laptop that I am giving away...

Please advise on what I need to do..

SUPERGEEKS ANSWER:

We offer this a service.  The cost is $50 flat fee.

If you want to do it yourself, there are a few options:

1)  Selective Wiping of Data (Keeps Windows and programs)

Stellar Wipe - Safe Data Eraser - $39 (Downloadable)  $59 (w/ CD)

http://www.stellarinfo.com/data-eraser.htm#

 
2)  Complete Wiping of Hard Drive (Erases everything from the drive incl. Windows and Programs)

Ontrack Data Eraser - $29

http://www.ontrack.com/dataeraser/

 
Then there are also free software available:

Eraser:  http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/

But it requires knowledge in the file system infrastructure for Windows,

Because the user must select the files or folders in which they want to remove manually.

If the user does not know where the data is stored then they will not be able to remove all of their private data properly.

More free utilities are available here:  http://www.snapfiles.com/Freeware/security/fwerase_r.html