silly question about recycling an old computer

[hmmhmmcamo]

silly/probably stupid question....

-we're moving in a few weeks.
-we have an old pc/desktop from 1999 used mostly for school, it hasn't been used since probably 2005.
-we don't have the time to set it up and review all the files etc before the move, and I REALLY don't want to move this thing with us.
-we're not really sure there is actually anything on there we will want to keep.

so.......can I remove the hard drive, recycle the rest of the computer, and at a later date give the hard drive to a computer tech who can dump everything onto a dvd or something? My point above about not knowing if we need the stuff, means we can probably live with out it should something go wrong with me playing IT dude(removing the hard drive).

[GoinAllTheWay]

Pretty tough to screw up removing a hard drive. You don't need to hand it over to a tech guy to recover the data off of later. Buy an enclosure and attach to a new machine via usb and copy the files over.

[DownhillGoat]

Not a problem. You can even get a USB hard drive enclosure if you feel like retrieving the data yourself later.

[dobbles]

assuming the hard drive was just a normal sized one in 1999, it probably isn't that big and even worth keeping though is it? i mean you could probably guy a similarly sized USB drive for 20 bucks or so. i think my computer in 99 had a 6 gig drive so i wouldnt imagine it would have more than a 10 or 15 gig at best.

also, what about using something like the free version of active killdisk? obviously it wouldn't guarantee nothing could be salvaged, but a few passes from that and it would be pretty dang hard to get data off there right?

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by dobbles

assuming the hard drive was just a normal sized one in 1999, it probably isn't that big and even worth keeping though is it? i mean you could probably guy a similarly sized USB drive for 20 bucks or so. i think my computer in 99 had a 6 gig drive so i wouldnt imagine it would have more than a 10 or 15 gig at best.

I think he means the files on the drive, not the drive itself so much.

[hmmhmmcamo]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

I think he means the files on the drive, not the drive itself so much.

This.

It sounds like it will be pretty easy for us to access the info from the removed hard drive in which case we will definitely check out whats on there (at a later date).

Also, while we're fairly sure there isn't any private info on it, we don't feel comfortable just dumping the whole machine (inc. hard drive) off at the recycling depot before it is wiped clean. The hard drive will most likely get tossed after we see what's on it and erase it.

Thanks for all the quick info folks. It's going to be fun to punt this thing once and for all!

Now on to hard drive removal...probably going to need a few rye and pepsi's for this

[Rathji]

Removing a hard drive is pretty much the simplest thing you can do on a computer.

These might help if you have no idea.

http://www.fonerbooks.com/r_hard.htm

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/178520...from_computer/

[wooohooo]

Originally Posted by hmmhmmcamo

This.

It sounds like it will be pretty easy for us to access the info from the removed hard drive in which case we will definitely check out whats on there (at a later date).

Also, while we're fairly sure there isn't any private info on it, we don't feel comfortable just dumping the whole machine (inc. hard drive) off at the recycling depot before it is wiped clean. The hard drive will most likely get tossed after we see what's on it and erase it.

Thanks for all the quick info folks. It's going to be fun to punt this thing once and for all!

Now on to hard drive removal...probably going to need a few rye and pepsi's for this

All you need is a phillips (usually) screwdriver. Unscrew the case, and then you will see screws inserted into the harddrive on the side. Usually they will be on both sides so you will need to remove both sides of the case (depends on the type you have). Or you can just use a hammer and break it to pieces...

[FanIn80]

I can do all this stuff for you for only $150/hour. This sounds like a pretty big job, though, so it'll most likely take me half the day to do it.

(There's usually a lot of traffic along 32nd, near the NE Memory Express. Plus there's a great Pho place up in that area, so I'll have to stop for lunch. Also, I'll probably duck into Costco to do some shopping on the way back down. Then I'll just park outside your house and sit in the car for 5 minutes, while I dump the hard drive into the external enclosure I bought for you from MemEx for $20.)

Cha-ching!

[hmmhmmcamo]

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!!

Thanks CP!


The rest of the computer will be laid to rest tomorrow at the following location:
http://freegeekvancouver.org/

[QuadCityImages]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

I can do all this stuff for you for only $150/hour.

That's actually cheap compared to Best Buy's Geek Squad.

[PIMking]

Target practice! nothing that a 30-06 cant handle.

[jschick88]

For recycling of computers and all electronics, you can drop it off at Geep Ecosys, right across from the Deerfoot mall.

[ken0042]

You can also drill a hole in the hard drive if you are just concerned about personal data being on there. The data could still be recovered, but not without extraordinary means.

A buddy suggested that I use my framing air nailer to put a couple of nails into it, but I'm too chicken to try it myself.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by ken0042

You can also drill a hole in the hard drive if you are just concerned about personal data being on there. The data could still be recovered, but not without extraordinary means.

A buddy suggested that I use my framing air nailer to put a couple of nails into it, but I'm too chicken to try it myself.

Ya, I'd be a little leery to try that myself. Not sure how thick the actual HD plates are but I'd be worried about the nail bouncing right off of it.

Taking a drill to it seems like a good idea. Punch about 5 or 6 holes in it and it would be beyond your average joe to recover the data.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

Taking a drill to it seems like a good idea. Punch about 5 or 6 holes in it and it would be beyond your average joe to recover the data.

I take the drill and then leave some magnets on it overnight.

[Rathji]

http://www.dban.org/

If you simply want to wipe data (reasonably) securely

[burn_this_city]

Drilling it takes effort. I'd just run it over with my car.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Drilling it takes effort. I'd just run it over with my car.

On the information superhighway?

Sorry. Couldn't..... resist.

[ken0042]

^^ I just don't think that running a hard drive over with a car would really damage it. I would guess that the casing would likely remain intact; and if nothing else I cannot see the platters being damaged.

I guess there's only one way for me to find out for sure........