Before you use your new used notebook...

Optimise your new used laptop to ensure efficiency, speed and security: Remove all old data from the hard drive. Even if you purchased a refurbished computer, the old data may not be completely wiped off. Data, contained in files deleted the usual way, is not actually removed from the system; it is still on the hard drive taking up space. Try the following options for removing all data from the hard drive: Darik's Boot and Nuke (DBAN) for Windows. WhiteCanyon.com has 4 different options to choose from, one of which; WipeDrive, was featured in the New York Times. Or Reformat the hard drive. Simpler than purchasing and installing software, you can reformat the hard drive with the Window's Clean Disk command making it ready for reinstallation. Make sure you have all the software and operating discs handy to reinstall on the computer, if you choose this option. For Windows users, go to the Start menu, and then click on All Programs. Select Accessories, System Tools, and then Disk Cleanup. Follow the instructions on your screen. Install anti-virus protection software. Help guard your laptop against the threats of viruses, worms, Trojans and the like. Also important, is protecting your personal information from hackers who can gain access to your stored data via the Internet, if you do not run anti-virus/spyware software. Some reputable options include: CA Anti-Virus 2007 Avast! On-Scanner Protection Norton's AntiVirus McAfee's VirusScan Kaspersky Anti-Virus 7.0