Comments on: Getting Rid of an Old Hard Drive http://www.worldstart.com/getting-rid-of-an-old-hard-drive/ Everyone, no matter how good you are, needs computer help every now and then. That's where Worldstart comes in. Fri, 17 May 2013 20:16:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: David Goodrichhttp://www.worldstart.com/getting-rid-of-an-old-hard-drive/comment-page-1/#comment-195006 David Goodrich Thu, 07 Mar 2013 02:50:41 +0000 http://www.worldstart.com/?p=37773#comment-195006 I second the thought that, in many cases, you cannot run an overwrite program on a "dead" computer. Best thing to do is to remove the entire hard drive, and clean it well with solvent. It makes a nifty paperweight ..... I second the thought that, in many cases, you cannot run an overwrite program on a “dead” computer. Best thing to do is to remove the entire hard drive, and clean it well with solvent. It makes a nifty paperweight …..

]]> By: alhttp://www.worldstart.com/getting-rid-of-an-old-hard-drive/comment-page-1/#comment-194966 al Wed, 06 Mar 2013 23:55:35 +0000 http://www.worldstart.com/?p=37773#comment-194966 I actually disassemble the old hard drive, remove the disk,(keep the magnets, they are super strong) and used a plumber propane torch on them in my fireplace. It worked. All my secrets got deleted for good. Cheap also. I actually disassemble the old hard drive, remove the disk,(keep the magnets, they are super strong) and used a plumber propane torch on them in my fireplace. It worked. All my secrets got deleted for good. Cheap also.

]]> By: Libby R.http://www.worldstart.com/getting-rid-of-an-old-hard-drive/comment-page-1/#comment-194844 Libby R. Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:01:24 +0000 http://www.worldstart.com/?p=37773#comment-194844 I drive nails through mine and/or use a drill press. Alternatively, my local trash disposal has a few days of the year that they will take them and shred them into silver dollar sized pieces and dispose of them properly. I drive nails through mine and/or use a drill press. Alternatively, my local trash disposal has a few days of the year that they will take them and shred them into silver dollar sized pieces and dispose of them properly.

]]> By: Chadhttp://www.worldstart.com/getting-rid-of-an-old-hard-drive/comment-page-1/#comment-194831 Chad Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:37:47 +0000 http://www.worldstart.com/?p=37773#comment-194831 Glenn, formatting a hard drive does NOT erase the data on it. When a drive is formatted, it merely removes a "switch" that tells the data to show itself to the user, and adds a switch that tells the operating system it's okay to write new data to that area. If you were to format a drive then dispose of it, someone simply needs to re-activate the "show" switch and they have all your old data. If a drive won't spin up or a system won't boot, physical destruction is usually the only method left. If you have a drill, a few holes through it works well. The idea is to destroy the actual platters inside the drive. If you destroy the case and the circuit board, someone can simply pull out the platters and put them in another case. Also, keep in mind that the level of effort you put into destroying the drive needs to directly relate to the sensitive nature of the data on the drive. Although they might mean the world to you, not too many data thieves are going to invest the time and effort to recover the family dogs puppy pictures. If the drive contains personal information such as Social Security numbers, tax returns, checking account information and things like that...put in the effort to make sure it doesn't get into the wrong hands.Hope that helped! Glenn, formatting a hard drive does NOT erase the data on it. When a drive is formatted, it merely removes a “switch” that tells the data to show itself to the user, and adds a switch that tells the operating system it’s okay to write new data to that area. If you were to format a drive then dispose of it, someone simply needs to re-activate the “show” switch and they have all your old data. If a drive won’t spin up or a system won’t boot, physical destruction is usually the only method left. If you have a drill, a few holes through it works well. The idea is to destroy the actual platters inside the drive. If you destroy the case and the circuit board, someone can simply pull out the platters and put them in another case. Also, keep in mind that the level of effort you put into destroying the drive needs to directly relate to the sensitive nature of the data on the drive. Although they might mean the world to you, not too many data thieves are going to invest the time and effort to recover the family dogs puppy pictures. If the drive contains personal information such as Social Security numbers, tax returns, checking account information and things like that…put in the effort to make sure it doesn’t get into the wrong hands.

Hope that helped!

]]> By: Lindahttp://www.worldstart.com/getting-rid-of-an-old-hard-drive/comment-page-1/#comment-194827 Linda Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:26:36 +0000 http://www.worldstart.com/?p=37773#comment-194827 I also have an old computer that won't even turn on but I'm afraid to dispose of it because of the data that is still on it. What can I do to make my information safe? I also have an old computer that won’t even turn on but I’m afraid to dispose of it because of the data that is still on it. What can I do to make my information safe?

]]> By: Glennhttp://www.worldstart.com/getting-rid-of-an-old-hard-drive/comment-page-1/#comment-194616 Glenn Wed, 06 Mar 2013 06:36:10 +0000 http://www.worldstart.com/?p=37773#comment-194616 doesn't formatting an old hard drive erase it. i've done that with two old hard drives and bought kits to use them as backup. seems to be working doesn’t formatting an old hard drive erase it. i’ve done that with two old hard drives and bought kits to use them as backup. seems to be working

]]> By: marlyshttp://www.worldstart.com/getting-rid-of-an-old-hard-drive/comment-page-1/#comment-194599 marlys Wed, 06 Mar 2013 05:50:59 +0000 http://www.worldstart.com/?p=37773#comment-194599 What if my old computer won't even open up windows, then what can I do before I get rid of it? I've been keeping it around for years because I don't know how to get rid of the information on the hard drive. What if my old computer won’t even open up windows, then what can I do before I get rid of it? I’ve been keeping it around for years because I don’t know how to get rid of the information on the hard drive.

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