I have an old (we're talking bought it in '98 and still runs on windows of that year) CPU that I don't need at all anymore. Everything else from it is gone, but I don't know how to get rid of the tower. I'm also afraid of someone else getting any personal information that could still be contained somewhere on the hard drive even though I have deleted (to the point of removed from the trash bin) all the files. Any tips? Where can I take it to get rid of it and how do I prevent anyone from getting any personal info?
2006-08-17 12:17:54 · 22 answers · asked by gracefulelephant 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
A few sticks of dynamite might come in handy.
2006-08-17 12:23:03 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. ÉlusivÉ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can format your harddrive so no personal information will be on the hard drive. Restart your machine in MS-DOS. At the C: prompt, type in fdisk. Delete the partition. Create a new partition. It will tell you that you need to format the new partition, so do that. The machine is now a paper-weight. Give it to a school/thrift store with the CD, and the new owner can reinstall Windows without your personal info included.
2006-08-17 12:31:03 · answer #2 · answered by Inferno35az 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can open up the box and remove the disk drive.
Then simply wack the drive a few times with a rock to break
the seal and immerse it in salt water.
Or ...
You could get a really really big magnet and degauss it.
Or ...
You could boot off a floppy and type "format C:"
None of these ways are perfect. However, they'll deter all
but the most sophisticated and determined hacker.
2006-08-17 12:23:44 · answer #3 · answered by Elana 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remove the harddrive. Destroy it by driving a nail through it. That is what I do. I destroy the connector pins too by pressing on them with a screwdriver.
Donate the system to some local charities...if you have the disks with the system, it will help. They usually work on it and sell them or use them. Check with some local computer places, they may take it. If not, just pitch it.
2006-08-17 12:27:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, remove the hard drive, and get a sledge hammer. Start hitting the hard drive until it smashed up and there are bits of circuitry everywhere and there are bits of the platter everywhere. Then, you personal info, is truly safe.
2006-08-17 12:23:46 · answer #5 · answered by Yahoo! Answerer 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
most cities have recycling companies that charge i believe around 10-15 bucks. they take computer towers and monitors and break them down so they can be made into new towers. i suggest looking up some recycling companies in your area. i guarantee no personal info would be obtained from you tower if you use one of these services.
2006-08-17 12:23:35 · answer #6 · answered by Danchondo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Either sell it on eBay, donate it, give it to a thrift shop, or simply put in in the garbage. I personally would give it to a thrift shop, because many people would love to have a computer, evenif it is that old.
2006-08-17 12:22:42 · answer #7 · answered by *Angela* 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just format the disk. This will make sure that you dont share any personnel info to any. I guess u know how to format the disk.
And then take it to any hardware shop and sell it there.
Thanks
2006-08-17 12:24:05 · answer #8 · answered by last_desire 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you want to junk it, and wipe out everything from the harddrive, remove the harddrive (unpluuged of course) and drill a hole through it, that will kill it, also try a large magnet that may erase everything on the hard drive
2006-08-17 12:23:17 · answer #9 · answered by NNY 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Freecycle, Craigslist, Thrift Store, Goodwill or even sell it. Make sure to be upfront with everything that's wrong with it.
2006-08-17 12:23:47 · answer #10 · answered by Jessica W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋