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#31
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Throwing out old computer
If you are going to donate or sell your computer all you need to do is
wipe the disk. Eraser by Sami Tolvanen is one of the best of these programs and it's free: http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/ In essence what these wipe utilities do is write a series of zeros and ones over all the free space on your disk. The wiping program can be set to do the same operation more than once, that's called a "pass". A 3 pass wipe is usually more than enough. US Department of Defense specifies a series of 3 wipes 7 times. One of the most secure wipe is the Gutmann shredding sequence, 35 passes. You should be aware that wiping a drive is a time consuming process, the bigger the drive and the greater the number of passes the more time it will take. I can assure you that with a 3 pass wipe no one will be able to retrieve anything from your drive unless they hire data recovery specialists and spend thousands of dollars, and even then they may recover nothing. I can further assure you that with a DOD or Gutmann wipe no one will be able to retrieve anything unless they spend tens of thousands of dollars and even then they may be left empty handed with empty pockets! Unless you work for the CIA or MI5 and have state secrets on your drive no one would bother spending that kind of money trying to retrieve anything that might turn out to be nothing more than emails to Grandma and a list of your favorite recipes, if they indeed can recover anything. Of course, if you're in the paranoia crowd then get out your sledge hammer and don't forget to completely burn the pieces after you're finished smashing, because these bits and pieces of drives can be inspected with special microscopes and data can be revealed, best to be thorough with this. If you're going to be paranoid you best be completely paranoid. John najal wrote: Which is the best way to eliminate everything from the hard drive of my old computer? |
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#32
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Throwing out old computer
The ultimate accessory for any quality computer..
http://www.circotech.com/sucili.html Any s******s from the cheap seats and I will never again disclose any information regarding devices fitted to my computer.. please bear in mind that magnetic BIC throw away lighters are as difficult to find as hen's teeth.. I chose the silver finish.. -- Mike Hall MVP - Windows Shell/user http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm "Colin Barnhorst" wrote in message ... I think the best buy is the T-shirt! -- Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine] (Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested) "Ken Blake" wrote in message ... In , Colin Barnhorst typed: Ken, here is an item everyone must have in his computer room. http://dvdrewinder.com/index.php?mai...roducts_ id=1 LOL! Interesting as it might be, I think I'll pass, if for no other reason than that there is no room for *anything* else in my computer room. But I'll pass your suggestion on to lots of my friends. ;-) -- Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User Please reply to the newsgroup In , Harry Ohrn typed: I know many, many charities that will take 600mhz system. Not to mention individuals. My wife runs on a 400MHz machine, so a 600MHz would be a step up for her. -- Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User Please reply to the newsgroup "shakey" wrote in message ... Best to toss it after that, Charities do not want it. I have a win 95 machine and a Win98 - 600mhz chine and no one will take. SG "Hunter B" wrote in message ... Open up the case and remove the hard drive. Close case and replace screws. Place hard drive on hard surface (outside is best). Put on your safety glasses and grab your 20 lb sledge hammer. Now wack the daylights out of it so nothing is left. That is the best way. You can try a scrubber, but is your data really gone? Do you really want to take the chance? I wouldn't. Now donate your old computer to a good cause and get a write off for this years taxes. |
#33
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Throwing out old computer
Did you fit an ashtray into your CD-Rom tray?
-- Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User] www.webtree.ca/windowsxp "Mike Hall (MS-MVP)" wrote in message ... The ultimate accessory for any quality computer.. http://www.circotech.com/sucili.html Any s******s from the cheap seats and I will never again disclose any information regarding devices fitted to my computer.. please bear in mind that magnetic BIC throw away lighters are as difficult to find as hen's teeth.. I chose the silver finish.. -- Mike Hall MVP - Windows Shell/user http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm "Colin Barnhorst" wrote in message ... I think the best buy is the T-shirt! -- Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine] (Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested) "Ken Blake" wrote in message ... In , Colin Barnhorst typed: Ken, here is an item everyone must have in his computer room. http://dvdrewinder.com/index.php?mai...roducts_ id=1 LOL! Interesting as it might be, I think I'll pass, if for no other reason than that there is no room for *anything* else in my computer room. But I'll pass your suggestion on to lots of my friends. ;-) -- Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User Please reply to the newsgroup In , Harry Ohrn typed: I know many, many charities that will take 600mhz system. Not to mention individuals. My wife runs on a 400MHz machine, so a 600MHz would be a step up for her. -- Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User Please reply to the newsgroup "shakey" wrote in message ... Best to toss it after that, Charities do not want it. I have a win 95 machine and a Win98 - 600mhz chine and no one will take. SG "Hunter B" wrote in message ... Open up the case and remove the hard drive. Close case and replace screws. Place hard drive on hard surface (outside is best). Put on your safety glasses and grab your 20 lb sledge hammer. Now wack the daylights out of it so nothing is left. That is the best way. You can try a scrubber, but is your data really gone? Do you really want to take the chance? I wouldn't. Now donate your old computer to a good cause and get a write off for this years taxes. |
#34
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Throwing out old computer
I used to, but then wised up and got rid of the wife,, no more problems!
-- Don Burnette "When you decide something is impossible to do, try to stay out of the way of the man that's doing it." Colin Barnhorst wrote: I keep a couple of old boxes around just so my wife loses count and I can get away with a new computer for months before she catches on. bg I'm using an old 233mhz in my office for my accounts, and it's on my LAN and works ok! -- Kath Adams MS MVP - Windows (IE/OE) In memory of Alex Nichol Harry Ohrn wrote: I know many, many charities that will take 600mhz system. "shakey" wrote in message ... Best to toss it after that, Charities do not want it. I have a win 95 machine and a Win98 - 600mhz chine and no one will take. SG "Hunter B" wrote in message ... Open up the case and remove the hard drive. Close case and replace screws. Place hard drive on hard surface (outside is best). Put on your safety glasses and grab your 20 lb sledge hammer. Now wack the daylights out of it so nothing is left. That is the best way. You can try a scrubber, but is your data really gone? Do you really want to take the chance? I wouldn't. Now donate your old computer to a good cause and get a write off for this years taxes. |
#35
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Throwing out old computer
I want one powered by usb.
-- Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine] (Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested) "Mike Hall (MS-MVP)" wrote in message ... The ultimate accessory for any quality computer.. http://www.circotech.com/sucili.html Any s******s from the cheap seats and I will never again disclose any information regarding devices fitted to my computer.. please bear in mind that magnetic BIC throw away lighters are as difficult to find as hen's teeth.. I chose the silver finish.. -- Mike Hall MVP - Windows Shell/user http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm "Colin Barnhorst" wrote in message ... I think the best buy is the T-shirt! -- Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine] (Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested) "Ken Blake" wrote in message ... In , Colin Barnhorst typed: Ken, here is an item everyone must have in his computer room. http://dvdrewinder.com/index.php?mai...roducts_ id=1 LOL! Interesting as it might be, I think I'll pass, if for no other reason than that there is no room for *anything* else in my computer room. But I'll pass your suggestion on to lots of my friends. ;-) -- Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User Please reply to the newsgroup In , Harry Ohrn typed: I know many, many charities that will take 600mhz system. Not to mention individuals. My wife runs on a 400MHz machine, so a 600MHz would be a step up for her. -- Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User Please reply to the newsgroup "shakey" wrote in message ... Best to toss it after that, Charities do not want it. I have a win 95 machine and a Win98 - 600mhz chine and no one will take. SG "Hunter B" wrote in message ... Open up the case and remove the hard drive. Close case and replace screws. Place hard drive on hard surface (outside is best). Put on your safety glasses and grab your 20 lb sledge hammer. Now wack the daylights out of it so nothing is left. That is the best way. You can try a scrubber, but is your data really gone? Do you really want to take the chance? I wouldn't. Now donate your old computer to a good cause and get a write off for this years taxes. |
#36
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Throwing out old computer
lol That's one solution, if somewhat drastic vbg
Joan Don Burnette wrote: I used to, but then wised up and got rid of the wife,, no more problems! |
#37
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Throwing out old computer
lol I'll pass and stick with my lighter that is looking at me on the
desk or can be found in my pocket g Joan Mike Hall (MS-MVP) wrote: The ultimate accessory for any quality computer.. http://www.circotech.com/sucili.html Any s******s from the cheap seats and I will never again disclose any information regarding devices fitted to my computer.. please bear in mind that magnetic BIC throw away lighters are as difficult to find as hen's teeth.. I chose the silver finish.. |
#38
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Throwing out old computer
lol Well I've just finished recharging my phone by USB g
Joan Colin Barnhorst wrote: I want one powered by usb. |
#39
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Throwing out old computer
Hey guys and gals..
If you can think of a better talking point that fills up an unused 5.25 in bay?.. Joan, your pocket lighter has nothing on this.. can you run an 'auto' style vacuum cleaner from your computer, or a tire inflator?.. and it doesn't break nails in operation.. Harry, I have only just received a good lead on where to get a floating ashtray for the bath.. do you have any leads on an ashtray designed for DVD units that no longer function?.. Colin, I don't think that SP2 compatible USB drivers are available.. Najal, if you are still with us, convert your old computer to something useful.. buy a Sunbeam cigarette lighter, fit it, and see how many visitors want to talk about the latest gadget that actually works as a stress reducer.. just think, no more rushing outside to see if the kids are setting alight the shed, no more remembering whether it was a yellow or a black or a red lighter that you purchased from the convenience store.. no more wishing that you had bought the refillable type.. Now I get the impression that you are indeed all s******ing, so I will sit in the corner and SULK.. and a good comedian never laughs at his own jokes, so I will sign off now before I become a totally bad comedian.. But remember this slogan, applicable to all cigarette smoking computer users.. STRESSLESS WITH A SUNBEAM -- Mike Hall MVP - Windows Shell/user http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm "Joan Archer" wrote in message ... lol I'll pass and stick with my lighter that is looking at me on the desk or can be found in my pocket g Joan Mike Hall (MS-MVP) wrote: The ultimate accessory for any quality computer.. http://www.circotech.com/sucili.html Any s******s from the cheap seats and I will never again disclose any information regarding devices fitted to my computer.. please bear in mind that magnetic BIC throw away lighters are as difficult to find as hen's teeth.. I chose the silver finish.. |
#40
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Throwing out old computer
Best , safest, most effiecent way to destroy all the data is to simply place
it in a drill press, drill a 1/4 to 3/8 hole through the hard drive (through the platters). No chance of any data recovery after that. "najal" wrote in message ... Which is the best way to eliminate everything from the hard drive of my old computer? |
#41
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Throwing out old computer
""John John" wrote in message
Unless you work for the CIA or MI5 and have state secrets on your drive no one would bother spending that kind of money trying to retrieve anything that might turn out to be nothing more than emails to Grandma and a list of your favorite recipes, if they indeed can recover anything." Are you implying that my recipes are not priceless? Lol SG |
#42
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Throwing out old computer
Any expert data recovery company could retreive ALL the data on these
platters except for what was where the hole you drilled. John Rattleon wrote: Best , safest, most effiecent way to destroy all the data is to simply place it in a drill press, drill a 1/4 to 3/8 hole through the hard drive (through the platters). No chance of any data recovery after that. "najal" wrote in message ... Which is the best way to eliminate everything from the hard drive of my old computer? |
#43
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Throwing out old computer
shakey wrote:
Are you implying that my recipes are not priceless? Lol SG If they are anything like mine they are priceless for biological warfare! That's why I know about the CIA and the US DoD making sure that my recipes don't get into the wrong hands, my recipes are lethal weapons! If eating the food doesn't kill you the gas you release after supper is guaranteed to kill every one within a 5 mile radius! John |
#44
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Throwing out old computer
Lol, yeah, much more to it, this was just a side benefit
Don Joan Archer wrote: lol That's one solution, if somewhat drastic vbg Joan Don Burnette wrote: I used to, but then wised up and got rid of the wife,, no more problems! |
#45
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Throwing out old computer
In ,
John John typed: I can assure you that with a 3 pass wipe no one will be able to retrieve anything from your drive unless they hire data recovery specialists and spend thousands of dollars, and even then they may recover nothing. I can further assure you that with a DOD or Gutmann wipe no one will be able to retrieve anything unless they spend tens of thousands of dollars and even then they may be left empty handed with empty pockets! Unless you work for the CIA or MI5 and have state secrets on your drive no one would bother spending that kind of money trying to retrieve anything that might turn out to be nothing more than emails to Grandma and a list of your favorite recipes, if they indeed can recover anything. Exactly right! Many people worry far too much about these things. For the vast majority of people, even simply formatting the drive is sufficient. Yes, it's possible to retrieve data after a format, but first you have to know how, and second, you have to want to. Unless there's something special about you and what you have on your drive, it's highly unlikely that some criminal will single out your thrown-away computer to search your drive for your darkest secrets. -- Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User Please reply to the newsgroup |
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