Computer Question... What to do...

[MIHunter]

We have 3 old laptops, Acer, Dell, and Toshiba that we no longer use. They are all older models, and are just trying to figure out where we can get them "wiped" (make sure we don't have anything on there) and sell them for cheap.

Acer Aspire E1-531-2438:
Intel Celeron 1005M (1.90 GHz)
4GB DDR3 Memory 500 GB HDD
Intel GMA HD Graphics
1366 x 768
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
DVD-Writer
Word 2013
Started up initially, shut down, now won't restart

Dell :
8gb memory
Intel i5 Core M520,
2.4ghz
Windows 7
Started up, then Chrome crashes

Toshiba Satellite C855D-S5320:
Not sure of the specs on it.
Windows 8 we believe;
Won't boot up / says preparing auto repair, then goes blank

Kids mainly used them for some school.

Ideas????

Thanks for the input.

Austin area.

[lbbf]

Can't really help for resale but all our old ones I always pulled the hard drive, dilled some holes through it, sanded the plates, then cut them up with tin snips. I know its way overkill but should keep anyone from getting anything they can use from it.

There are some overwrite programs out there that should do the trick but I have no idea how effective they are.

[dustoffer]

Got a buddy who works for the NSA in computer security field. He recommended a program to me and I am confident it works---I'll check with him and post back what he tells me.

[MIHunter]

Thanks!

[AndyTX]

Got a buddy who works for the NSA in computer security field. He recommended a program to me and I am confident it works---I'll check with him and post back what he tells me.

Killdisk?

[Draco]

What ever Hillary used.

[Bowtech32]

Can't really help for resale but all our old ones I always pulled the hard drive, dilled some holes through it, sanded the plates, then cut them up with tin snips. I know its way overkill but should keep anyone from getting anything they can use from it.

There are some overwrite programs out there that should do the trick but I have no idea how effective they are.

This, you can never really "wipe it" we have programs to rebuild what was on a drive.

[TxSpinner]

Killdisk?

This will also wipe the operating system. It basically just makes the computer an outdated pile of hardware.

[hot_rod_eddie]

What ever Hillary used.

[Tryton]

The bottom 2 are still very usable computers. Replace the hard drives with SSD drives and reload windows and software on them. A good SSD drive is only $125.

[tmurray]

Wouldn't it be more fun to put them on a big block of tannerite?

[PROD49]

Wait for Goodwill to do their E recycling. They do a DOD wipe.

[AndyTX]

Computer Question... What to do...

This will also wipe the operating system. It basically just makes the computer an outdated pile of hardware.

Yes, that is correct. You would have to restore the OS. If no recovery partition or discs are available to restore the OS another option would be to put Linux on it after a full wipe which is free.

[bossbowman]

Got any strong magnets?

[BigL]

Killdisk?

Or Dban?