Dumping a PC

[Dicko]

My mum has just replaced her old PC with a laptop

 

However, she used to do online banking with her PC & is worried how to safely dispose of it

 

Does she need to remove any hardware?

If so, how do you do it?

[saint_stevo]

Remove the hard drive, hit repeatedly with hammer.

 

Probably just a couple of screws

[Baj]

you should find that throwing it hard onto a concrete surface will open it up. Once its open, scratch the **** out of the copper looking discs with a screwdriver

[Scummer]

It's a shame that making computers safe after use basically has to involve destroying them. It's not the best use of resources is it. If they could be securely wiped, these computers would be able to be used by others in future.

[Post-it note]

It's a shame that making computers safe after use basically has to involve destroying them. It's not the best use of resources is it. If they could be securely wiped, these computers would be able to be used by others in future.

 

You can securely wipe a disk but the best way to ensure your not giving away any personal data (especially if you don't know what your doing/arn't technically minded) is to remove the hard disk and destroy it.

[JustMike]

1) get hard drive

2) get an old microwave

3) insert hard drive into microwave

4) set timer for 1 minute

5) start microwave

6) run!!

[mynameisthehulk]

Feed HDD to a dinosaur!

[Ponty]

Put the PC in an MRI for a few minutes.

[saint_stevo]

Put the PC in an MRI for a few minutes.

 

on the NHS?

[thesaint sfc]

Banking details hmm?

 

Post it to me. I'll destroy the hdd.

[Post-it note]

Send it to Nigeria

[Michelle]

Switch it off, then switch it back on again. Nothing a good old fashioned reboot won't fix. Job done.

[Ponty]

on the NHS?

 

Hmmmm... Try swallowing the PC then getting your GP to get you an MRI scan due to abdominal pains.

[Weston Super Saint]

Can you not just send it a text?

[Saint_Jonny]

Only way to REALLY secure your old data is to get a fat drill and put holes in your old hard disk. Scratching and throwing will help but a hardened data thief will get hold of your reddies unless you make some holes!

[Jeff Le Taxi]

Can you not just send it a text?

 

Lmfao!

[GenevaSaint]

Degauss it or use a DOD approved piece of software to overwrite the data as pointed out already you will need to be technically capable.

 

Just to make sure put it in a chimnea/fire afterwards for a belt and braces approach!

Edited 16 July, 2009 by GenevaSaint

[GenevaSaint]

Only way to REALLY secure your old data is to get a fat drill and put holes in your old hard disk. Scratching and throwing will help but a hardened data thief will get hold of your reddies unless you make some holes!

 

Yes a hardened data thief could read the disk even when it's scratched and smashed but it does require very specialized hardware to do that. They probably wouldn't bother given the plethora of other PCs out there with PI on.

[thesaint sfc]

Take the hard drive out and put it in the cupboard. You know, the one with the old VHS, a couple of videos and a selection of CD's that you've got over the years free with the newspaper.

[Weston Super Saint]

Take the hard drive out and put it in the cupboard. You know, the one with the old VHS, a couple of videos and a selection of CD's that you've got over the years free with the newspaper.

 

Do you think it might hook up with the old VHS and then not need to be dumped?

[Dicko]

Cheers everyone

 

Managed to get into the back, then hammered & scraped the life out of it

[magnet]

Bit late now I know but you could have given it to http://www.jamiescomputerclub.org.uk/home/home.php They securly wipe computers and recycle for needy causes.