Disposing of Old Computer - Page 2

Nuttmeg · ‎03-09-2010

@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/

Winkk · ‎03-15-2010

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

glb613 · ‎03-09-2010

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

jackthebear · ‎03-11-2010

@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

Peaches McPhee · ‎04-19-2010

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

-- pro-aging --

Rochester, New York

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

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.

ChynnaBlue · ‎05-22-2012

@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.

Click here for Forum Tips

ChynnaBlue · ‎05-22-2012

@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.

Click here for Forum Tips

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

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.

geezerette · ‎03-16-2010

@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!