topic Re: Disposing of Old Computer in Electronics

Disposing of Old Computer

Winkk — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 13:43:43 GMT

I have an old laptop that I no longer use and want to trash it. But, before I do I want to make sure all my personal information is off. Does anyone know how I can do that? Or, should I take it to someplace like Best Buy and let their techs do it?

Thanks.

Re: Disposing of Old Computer

bonnielu — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 13:46:37 GMT

Looking for the same answer. Also I have old phones. Would appreciate some advice. Best Buy takes phones, but not sure they will be safe (information).

Re: Disposing of Old Computer

151949 — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 13:51:24 GMT

I have a chromebook and another android tablet - on both under settings there is an option to "return to original factory condition" that wipes it clean and leaves it as it was when purchased. When i bought my chromebook 2 years ago the rep at the store showed me this setting when he sold it to me because it had been the floor sample and needed to be returned to it's original factory condition.

Re: Disposing of Old Computer

jackthebear — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 14:00:05 GMT

take out the hard drive and smash it with a hammer until you hear the pieces rattling inside, or drill through it with a power drill

that way no one can reuse the HD, then you can give the laptop or computer away or recycle them.

Re: Disposing of Old Computer

NickNack — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 14:31:04 GMT

I've got a computer in my garage that I'd like to throw away. I don't know how to take the hard drive out.

Re: Disposing of Old Computer

Still Raining — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 14:37:26 GMT

Returning the computer to factory settings does nothing to erase your data, it only resets operating software.

If you want to erase data you will have to buy software that over-writes the data.

Re: Disposing of Old Computer

Nuttmeg — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 14:37:41 GMT

@151949 wrote:
I have a chromebook and another android tablet - on both under settings there is an option to "return to original factory condition" that wipes it clean and leaves it as it was when purchased. When i bought my chromebook 2 years ago the rep at the store showed me this setting when he sold it to me because it had been the floor sample and needed to be returned to it's original factory condition.

I run this "return to original factory condition" two or three times and it deletes my data.

Re: Disposing of Old Computer

jackthebear — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 14:37:59 GMT

@Nicknack wrote:
I've got a computer in my garage that I'd like to throw away. I don't know how to take the hard drive out.

Hi @NickNack it is pretty easy, I am going be a wimp and tell you to youtube it.

just look for some scr-ws and un----- the base of the laptop or tower and take it off and look for the hardrive and yank it out.

get your hammer and smash

hard drive what is looks like they are not that big

Re: Disposing of Old Computer

NickNack — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 14:40:39 GMT

Thanks @jackthebear. I was going to Google it, but looking it up on You Tube would be much better.

Re: Disposing of Old Computer

Still Raining — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 14:43:31 GMT

@Nuttmeg wrote:
@151949 wrote:
I have a chromebook and another android tablet - on both under settings there is an option to "return to original factory condition" that wipes it clean and leaves it as it was when purchased. When i bought my chromebook 2 years ago the rep at the store showed me this setting when he sold it to me because it had been the floor sample and needed to be returned to it's original factory condition.
I run this "return to original factory condition" two or three times and it deletes my data.

It is not removed. It has become invisible to you but it can be recovered unless it is over-written. It is still on the disk. Ditto if you go in and delete files, they are there and a good IT person can recover them.

Re: Disposing of Old Computer

Nuttmeg — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 14:46:44 GMT

@Still Raining wrote:
Returning the computer to factory settings does nothing to erase your data, it only resets operating software.

If you want to erase data you will have to buy software that over-writes the data.

It can erase data. It depends on the setting. You can over-write data with a free program like"CCleaner".

https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/online/deleting-your-data/

Re: Disposing of Old Computer

Winkk — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 14:48:07 GMT

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll take the easy way and smash the thing or take the hard drive out.

Re: Disposing of Old Computer

glb613 — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 17:12:47 GMT

There is no reason to smash the hard drive. Buy an external enclosure and use it for storage.

Re: Disposing of Old Computer

jackthebear — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 17:20:14 GMT

@glb613 wrote:
There is no reason to smash the hard drive. Buy an external enclosure and use it for storage.

You can, but if you don't want old old computer stuff hanging around, destroyed HD is useless

our town picks up old electronic during the year so I get rid of it then

Re: Disposing of Old Computer

Peaches McPhee — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 17:28:41 GMT

Our County has a electronic recycling center. Check your County's website.

Re: Disposing of Old Computer

chickenbutt — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 17:39:06 GMT

jackthebear wrote:
take out the hard drive and smash it with a hammer until you hear the pieces rattling inside, or drill through it with a power drill
that way no one can reuse the HD, then you can give the laptop or computer away or recycle them.

Yuppers! This is the ONLY way. I have a bunch of old hard drives in a file cabinet because, being as weak as I am now, I didn't know a way to destroy them. But I would never leave them in!

Some software says that it will clean it for you. It won't to the degree that others with nefarious purpose and their software cannot get your info.

Nick - it's pretty easy to remove. You just usually need a screw driver to open up the computer and to get it out of there.

Re: Disposing of Old Computer

ChynnaBlue — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 17:53:37 GMT

@Nuttmeg wrote:
@151949 wrote:
I have a chromebook and another android tablet - on both under settings there is an option to "return to original factory condition" that wipes it clean and leaves it as it was when purchased. When i bought my chromebook 2 years ago the rep at the store showed me this setting when he sold it to me because it had been the floor sample and needed to be returned to it's original factory condition.
I run this "return to original factory condition" two or three times and it deletes my data.

It seems like it deletes the data, but it doesn't, really. It's still there, just very, very difficult to access without the right tools and skills - which most of us don't have. It's virtually gone, but someone intent on getting it can still do so. The safest thing to do is to destroy the hard drive.

Re: Disposing of Old Computer

ChynnaBlue — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 17:58:24 GMT

@glb613 wrote:
There is no reason to smash the hard drive. Buy an external enclosure and use it for storage.

That's true! You can keep the old hard drive and use it as extra storage. (Unless you're replacing the computer or hard drive because the one you're replacing has failed.) I use an external hard drive to back up my files because I don't want to pay for cloud storage. I know professional photographers who back up on hard drives AND the cloud because if they lose the photos of your wedding, well, nothing really makes up for that.

Re: Disposing of Old Computer

Carmie — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 19:19:28 GMT

I purchase a program called Wipe Out or Whip Drive from the geek store. I run it a couple of times and the hard drive is clean. It even removes the operating system.

i have used this system several times and feel safe that everything is gone before I recycle my lap tops and PC's.

Re: Disposing of Old Computer

geezerette — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 20:08:22 GMT

@Still Raining wrote:
@Nuttmeg wrote:
@151949 wrote:
I have a chromebook and another android tablet - on both under settings there is an option to "return to original factory condition" that wipes it clean and leaves it as it was when purchased. When i bought my chromebook 2 years ago the rep at the store showed me this setting when he sold it to me because it had been the floor sample and needed to be returned to it's original factory condition.
I run this "return to original factory condition" two or three times and it deletes my data.
It is not removed. It has become invisible to you but it can be recovered unless it is over-written. It is still on the disk. Ditto if you go in and delete files, they are there and a good IT person can recover them.

This is what I'd be afraid of. I like jackthebear's suggestion best!