So you want to upgrade your laptop to a newer model? Congratulations. Most people often sell off the old laptop or give it out to people. In a technology-driven society, you may have a little vital information on your laptop.
It would be very risky to sell it off to a stranger without performing some necessary tasks. These tasks are essential to guarantee your security and privacy. You don’t want your details in the hands of a stranger.
In this article, we will be showing you a few things that you need to do before giving your computer to anyone. Let’s get to it.
Ensure That You Backup All Of Your Important Files.
The first step is to ensure that you have backed up everything you require. The method you use will be determined by the software you have installed on your computer. Dropbox (or any other cloud storage service) will suffice if you only need to save a few files. Alternatively, you can back up your files to an external hard drive quickly and effortlessly.
Regardless of which approach you use, make sure you run the backup first to ensure that all of your files are current.
Print/Write Out Laptop Specifications
You will be required to list out your laptop’s features when you put it for sale online or even when you want to sell it physically, a customer might request these details. You can’t be too sure. Having this in mind, make a list of everything a buyer needs to know about your laptop. Your list should comprise of the following:
- Brand of your laptop
- The model number
- The operating system (with the bit)
- The CPU name
- The RAM capacity
- The screen size
If you’re having difficulties locating any of these solutions, try the following steps:
- Go to the lower left-hand corner of your screen and select the Start menu.
- Go to System Properties and select Computer (or My Computer on some systems).
The majority of your answers should be found here. Make a copy of this and keep it with you for when you want to put up an ad online.
Wipe Your Hard Drive or SSD
The only safe approach to clear out your computer’s hard disk is to format it and start again. This is a time-consuming process, but it is required before selling your computer to a total stranger. There should be no personal information left on the hard drive. You can check online to learn how to format an SSD on Windows or Mac. You can also download any trusted hard drive wiping tool, and on Mac, the built-in Disk Utility.
Remove any software that has been granted authorization.
After that, deauthorize any digital software or files you have on your computer. You should wipe off any services where two-factor authentication was activated. While it’s unlikely that someone will have your password after you securely wipe your hard drive in the next step, it’s a good idea to make it impossible to access your accounts from the start.
Reinstalling the Operating System
You will have nothing on your hard drive once it has been formatted. This means that before selling a computer, you must reinstall the operating system. If you’re using OS X Mountain Lion or OS X Lion on a MacBook, you may need to create your USB or DVD boot disc so you can simply reinstall the OS. You can also download and install the OS during the reinstallation process, but having a physical copy will give you peace of mind in case things go wrong. After hearing the startup bell on your Mac, hold down the Option key and pick your boot disc.
For Windows, If you still have your operating system discs, the method is simple. Restart the computer and boot from the operating system CD. If Windows does not immediately boot from the CD, you can alter the BIOS settings to make it function. When it asks you to establish a user account, simply turn off your computer, and you’re set to go.
Clean It And Get It Ready For Sale
Finally, before selling the computer, clean it up and make it as new as possible. It will not only sell for more money if it looks well, but it will also perform more efficiently. You should clean some essential parts. You should do the following:
- Cleaning the keyboard
- Cleaning the screen
- Open it to remove dust from the inside.
Doing all these things will make the computer more appealing, making it easier to sell. Take pictures of your cleaned laptop and start advertising!