Returning a Windows laptop

[jimmyjazz]

The wireless modem went out on a Compaq laptop I bought at CostCo, and they are going give me a refund. I presume I need to hand over the computer.

What do I need to do to get personal info off this thing? I've backed up all our documents (Word, Excel, photos, etc.) to an external hard drive and erased them from the laptop. However, I don't know how to

a) copy email messages and contact info
b) delete items in (a)
c) delete auto-password info on various websites requiring login

Any tips?

 

[MilkmanDan]

What email client are you using? If it's outlook, the pst is usually in

cocuments and SettingsuserLocal SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftOutlookOutlook.pst

I think Thunderbird stores things in your profile directory.

To clear autocomplete:

IE: Tools -> Options -> Content tab
AutoComplete: Clear Forms and Clear Passwords
I'd also delete all your cookies in the General tab.

Firefox: Tools -> Clear Private Data

 

[jimmyjazz]

Thanks. Assume I'm an idiot -- always a good starting point -- and tell me what a "pst" is? Is that where all my messages & contact info are stored?

Yes, I'm using Outlook and Internet Explorer.

 

[AuburnTexas]

You might also want to try a free downdloadable product called Crap Cleaner or CCleaner.

 

[MilkmanDan]

The pst holds all of your messages. Your contacts are likely stored either in a file with a .wab or .pab extension, hopefully in the same folder as your pst.

Here's some more backup/restore info:

Outlook

Outlook Express

 

[jimmyjazz]

Gracias.

 

[kevwun]

You can export everything in outlook in to a new .pst and save it on your desktop. Then all you have to do is import that file in to outlook on the new pc. Go to file, import and export, choose export to a file and then choose pst as the format. On the next screen highlight personal folders and check the box to include subfolders. Then chose the option to overwrite duplicates and change the save location to your desktop. It might take a while if you have a lot of emails. This will get all your emails and folders along with your contacts.

If you use Outlook Express, let me know and I can tell you how to back it up. It's not as easy as outlook, but it can be done.

 

[jimmyjazz]

No, this is Outlook proper. Thank you very much.

 

[AUinAustin]

When you get through backing up everything I would run some sort of "erase" program on the entire disk. Just erasing the file doesn;t remove it from the disk. It doesn't take someone very long to recover the actual files and then they have your personal info.