Donating Computer - How to Erase Personal Info

[kjvieira]

I am thinking about donating my old computer to a local school and was wondering what is tje best way to make sure all of my personal info is deleted? Or if this is even possible?

[agoodgolfer]

I am thinking about donating my old computer to a local school and was wondering what is tje best way to make sure all of my personal info is deleted? Or if this is even possible?

 

There is no way to positively get rid of everything - but you can make it really really hard for anyone that tries to access it. If you use a reformatting tool that specializes in erasing everything, I wouldn't be too worried about it. I suggest Dban. Make sure you do the full DOD wipe, which is 7 passes.

 

This will erase the OS, but it can be reinstalled with ease.

 

Chris

[Pvgolfer]

yea just wipe out the Hard Drive which will likely blow everything out, then load on the OS and boom a brand new computer. Did it to my Computer when i had to much junk on it.

[agoodgolfer]

Just make sure you use a tool specifically designed for wiping a hard drive - not just a standard reformatt. Its way too easy to recover data after a standard reformat. What many of these wiping tools do is travel the length of the HD added a 0 to every value, then pass again replacing it with a 1, then a 0, then a 1, then a 0, etc 7 times. It places your data so far behind random data that its hard to recover complete files.

 

Like I said, Dban with the department of defense 7 pass should work well.

[Bobalu]

If you have something on the hard drive you must protect when getting rid of a computer (not donating it), the best way to make the data inaccessible is to remove the hard drive and drill multiple holes through the platter, or if you are feeling up to it, you can take a sledge hammer to the hard drive and destroy it. Wear your protective glasses- safety first! ;)

[smarshal75]

I wouldn't donate a computer and leave the hard drive in it. If there is a data shredder program, no matter how good, you can usually guarantee there is another program to counter it.

 

I usually donate the box and let them recipient put in a scrap hard drive of their own. A sledge hammer works well on lap top hard drives, but standard desktop hard drives aren't as easy. I have used a drill press, even a cutting torch to destroy desktop drives. You might say these steps are rather over-the-top. However, I have first hand experience with identity theft.

[kjvieira]

Thank you all for your feedback. I'm starting to wonder if it's worth donating! Maybe I'll take the advice and remove the hard drive and give them the rest.

 

Thanks again!

[Smooth spin scott]

I agree with the above.. donate the system(very kind of you) but keep the hard drive. Drill or hammer as mentioned above will do the trick.

[pitch]

You can buy a new hard drive and install it for virtually nothing. Then you're giving them something they can start using.

Do it, the schools need them. I've done it that way a few times.

[Gripit N Ripit 54]

rip out your hard drive, take a sledge hammer, and have some fun :drinks:

 

Brian

[surferdave2000]

try either of these free downloads from cnet...

 

http://www.download.com/BCWipe/3000-2092_4...tml?tag=lst-0-2

 

http://www.download.com/R-Wipe-Clean/3000-...4-10469852.html

 

 

 

it should do the trick.