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03-12-2007, 04:02 PM
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Calling all computer geeks!
I have an old Compaq Presario desktop that no longer works and has been gathering dust. I'd like to take it to the recyclers, but first I want to get rid of all personal information on it. I know there are programs you can buy to erase a hard drive but they cost $$ and the computer no longer works so I can't run a program!
I've heard you can just remove the memory from a computer and smash it to bits with a sledge hammer --- Is that true? If so, how on earth do I find the memory, and how do I remove it? If anyone could please explain in non-technical terms, I'd really appreciate it! Thanks! 
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03-12-2007, 08:46 PM
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well, scfr, removing the memory won't actually remove your data: that is stored on the hard-drive itself.
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03-12-2007, 09:11 PM
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 Okay ... Then can I remove the hard drive and smash it with a sledgehammer? How do I do that? Last edited by scfr : 03-12-2007 at 09:14 PM.
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03-12-2007, 09:28 PM
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As for removing your personal information, simply removing your hard drive should be enough to keep your data safe. And if you still insist on smashing it all Office Space-like, I'll happily volunteer to be your dumb muscle.
 Last edited by Broken Arrow : 03-13-2007 at 06:07 AM. Reason: Extraneous confusion :)
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03-12-2007, 09:29 PM
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 ok, if you take the case off the computer you'll see inside, among other things, a grey metal box with dimensions about 1.5x4x6 (give or take) attached to the motherboard (looks like a circuit board) with a really wide cable. this should be your hard drive. go outside and smash to your heart's content.
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03-12-2007, 11:25 PM
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it is stored on a hard drive. so you can take it out and destroy it, burn it or something like that.
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03-13-2007, 09:38 AM
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Thanks for your help, guys! I am going to put this project on the "Honey-Do" list ... my husband will be thrilled to have yet another use for his golf clubs!
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03-13-2007, 10:17 AM
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__________________
Steve * Despite the high cost of living, it remains very popular. * Why should I pay for my daughter's education when she already knows everything? * There are no shortcuts to anywhere worth going.
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03-13-2007, 10:33 AM
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Take your hard drive out and jump on it, then put it in the fireplace and watch it burn. Just make sure its destroyed because it may hold valuable information to any of your accounts that you may have forgotten about.
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03-13-2007, 11:25 AM
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Me, I would've just wiped the partition(s)... and maybe zero the data... so I can re-use the drive later. Of course, I also don't have anything that would cause Homeland Security to move their terror alert up or anything so....
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03-13-2007, 11:38 AM
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03-13-2007, 01:28 PM
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open a dos window
type format c:\ if the machine has a second partition d: format d:\ I did this once when I worked for government and had to delete some classified data. A person would need to install a new operating system to make computer usable. If you need specific instructions on opening a dos window: start-programs-accessories-command prompt then when window opens type format c: Fixing this will be expensive (kids do NOT try this on your parents home PC's). It will require a person buy, pirate or otherwise obtain an operating system to make PC work. I have NOT done this since days of windows 95 and earlier.... so I make no claims to other error messages XP, NT or other which have been added since. It was simple doing this to windows 95.
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03-13-2007, 01:31 PM
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03-13-2007, 02:59 PM
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If you want to wipe your hard drive (the internal disk in your computer that stores all your files and operating system) you can use several programs Darik's Boot and Nuke (Hard Drive Disk Wipe), Summit Downloads Page (See the Hard Disk Scrubber file). This site has a ton of free, DOD compliant disk wipers Free Secure File / Disk Deletion Tools: Destructively delete or wipe data in files / hard disks (thefreecountry.com) See this link also PC World - Hard Drives Exposed Most of these disk wipers are saved to a floppy drive, you boot your computer into the minimal DOS environment on the floppy drive and TOTALLY erase the ENTIRE hard drive with any and ALL information on the drive, including the operating system. That will make the computer TOTALLY UNUSABLE, until someone reinstalls the operating system (in your case probably Windows). But disk wiping makes sure that only the most extremely smart, well-funded, professional, well-equipped evildoers in the world would ever be able to recover your data again, so when recycling/donating computers it is IMPERATIVE to do this. Cheers Saved
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03-13-2007, 03:03 PM
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USE A DISK WIPER!
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03-13-2007, 03:22 PM
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If you have a cd writer: BEFORE YOU WIPE THE HARD DRIVE: You can download and burn a COMPLETELY and TOTALLY FREE (and LEGAL) version of Linux, which will allow the new user to run programs on it. Then install the Linux OS AFTER you wipe the hard drive, by placing the cd in the cd drive before turning on the computer. Start the computer and following the easy instructions. Some free Linux OS: desktop - Ubuntu: Linux for human beings PCLinuxOS: News Sabayon Linux - Home MEPIS | an OS for the 21st Century Now you have a computer that works, is completely free of your personal data and can be safely donated.
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03-13-2007, 05:43 PM
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The rabbit hole is starting to run deep, but it's going towards open source, which I'm all for.
Well, if we really must go there, it's true that neither partitioning nor formatting will remove data. But then, wiping the data was never my intention per se. More like, just wanting to "reset" it for personal use again. That's why I prefer re-partitioning, because it's so super quick whereas formatting can take forever depending on the size and speed of your drive. That and I don't necessarily use the windows file system. Now, if I do intend to wipe the data, overwriting is about the only way to go without damaging it physically. There are two basic approaches in doing so. The first is to overwrite it with random junk. Unfortunately, anyone who knows computers knows that random is never truly random. To compensate, many programs will perform a triple pass. OR, you could just tell a program to fill every bit of space with 0s (or 1s, or some combination thereof). Of course, that's not fool-proof either, as organizations with electron microscopes can still read the miniscule bumps off of the platters and read your data that way. But by then, one has to ask just what IS on your drive? The same is true of just physically breaking it, as the chunks of remaining platter can still be read through forensic means. Now if you absolutely, positively have to hide your *ahem* kinky image collection, burning and melting the platters would do it. I don't recommend this, by the way, as playing with fire and computer components is rather dangerous. But that would do it. Second to that, I've heard that some clever criminal hackers use very strong magnets to their advantage. Me, I just don't see the hub-bub. I don't engage in anything that's illegal and some would even sneer that my porn collection is rather tame. That and wipe programs typically take a very long time to do their thing. So, for me, re-partitioning is good enough. Probably for you too.Last edited by Broken Arrow : 03-13-2007 at 05:46 PM.
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03-13-2007, 08:20 PM
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Time Out Guys!!!
Please go back to my original post ... The computer does not work at all! I can't even get it to boot up. Only way I could run any programs would be to pay to have it fixed first, which is why I wanted to just smash the hard drive. [Because I'm sure some clever eveil person could figure out how to fix it and retrieve my data.] I used to do Turbo Tax from the disk on that old computer. Hence the need to erase all data. Yeesh! If there's no foolproof way to destroy it, maybe I'll just stick it in my safe deposit box..... Last edited by scfr : 03-13-2007 at 08:30 PM.
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03-14-2007, 05:39 AM
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scfr:
in the spirit of the original post, and also knowing that most identity theives aren't going to have the necessary tools to piece it back together, i still say smash it if that's what makes you feel better. once you've smashed it, you always have the option of microwaving the delicate looking bits on the inside for a few seconds. never done it before? get a junk CD and pop it in the microwave for about 5-8 seconds and turn the lights down low. it'll smell pretty funky, but leave the microwave door open and it'll dissapate..,
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