Help, I want to clean up

[jim]

I am passing my laptop down to one of my kids and I want it squeaky clean.
Short of replacing the hard drive, I'm not sure how.
I have Crap Cleaner that I use. It can even overwrite the free space so they can't dig up old deleted files, but is there anything else I can do?
I understand there are those index.dat files but I don't understand how to clear them out.
the kids are pretty sharp.
Any help would be appreciated.
Jim

[S Templar]

If you have the original install Cd - and the 26 digit code number - reinstall the operating system.
Make a back up first, of any programs needed - Anti-virus -Firewall programs etc.

[TurcoLoco]

Your most logical option would be a Disk Data wipe using either DoD level 3-pass or NSA level 7-pass.

If you do not feel like doing a complete, fresh re-install of Windows then uninstall all applications you don't want them to use.

After backing up all your personal files, data, program settings, etc. that you might need, login as the actual admin account and under Windows Explorer delete the entire user profile (folder) under C:\Documents and Settings location (if it is Vista, then it should be at C:\Users).
Also CCleaner > Options > Settings > Secure Deletion with aforementioned settings would be good. Also on the main page of CCcleaner > Advanced > Wipe Free Space, then Options > Settings: select the "Wipe MFT Free Space"
for all applicable disk partitions.

If you get rid of your user profile and then do a secure data deletion, that should take care of it but here is another program that could ease the process.