Hello all,

I plan on selling my laptop, but I bought it second-hand from another user and did not get any of the discs with it. I would like to keep the programs in tact as MUCH as possible, but delete any personal files and RELATED information securely. Is there a good method to doing this? I also have Vista. I have read that making a NEW user profile with administrator powers and deleting the files from the other profile may work, but I'm not 100% confident about that. So any tips would be great.

Thank you

SakkaThere may be a recovery partition on that computer. The recovery partition will format the drive - erasing all of the data and restoring the computer to factory settings.
When you first turn the computer on tap F11 or F10 repeatedly as it starts. Delete everything you want to delete like you usually do (with Delete button), then download ATF CLEANER, USE it to empty recycle bin and clean temporary files.

Then, set a new restore point as follows:
1. Turn off System Restore.
On the Desktop, right-click My Computer.
Click Properties.
Click the System Restore tab.
Check "Turn off System Restore".
Click Apply, and then click OK.

2. Restart your computer.

3. Turn ON System Restore.
On the Desktop, right-click My Computer.
Click Properties.
Click the System Restore tab.
Uncheck "Turn off System Restore".
Click Apply, and then click OK.

Your PC should now be alright, but all programs are still there. Thanks kpac - I really need to keep the programs on there. I'll give that a shot once I have all my files backed up of course. Thanks again!