I currently have a 5 year computer that has been a real pain.So my parents are getting a new one a Dell this year for Christmas.
But what are you supposed to do with the old one,we have nowone to give it to or have no longer use for it?do we give it to a electronics store or just throw the dawm thing in the garbage?
2006-09-06 06:49:29 · 10 answers · asked by Aces747 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
Lots of great idea everyone.
We would donate it but my dad worries about the information thats on it.Personal Etc...
how could i delete it all?
2006-09-06 07:04:16 · update #1
I would suggest that you donate it to a charity or school. Your parents may even be able to get a tax credit.
As far as security goes, I would recommend that you first, delete any files, links, etc... that you consider private and then run an eraser utility to overwrite the resulting free space on your hard drive.
A good program for this, which allows several security levels by the number of times overwritten, 7 or higher suggested, is Eraser which is free and can be found at:
http://www.download.com/Eraser/3000-2092_4-10231813.html?tag=lst-0-4
You can actually use Eraser to delete / overwrite the files at the same time and then use it to wipe the free space. Make sure to Wipe the Free Space to overwrite the area previously used by deleted data.
Then, second, if you want to be really secure, re-partition and re-format the drive and re-install the Operating System with associated system utilities. Hopefully, you will have some CDs specifically for this to get the setup correct, such as your Windows CD and perhaps ones from the manufacturer like Compaq or Dell.
Normally that should be sufficient, but if you are really concerned, remove the hard drive and donate the computer without it as the recipient should be able to get a replacement hard drive. Of course, then you will need to decided what to do with the old drive as it could be found if you just throw it out.
*** FORMATTING A HARD DRIVE BY ITSELF DOES NOT RESULT IN ALL FILES BEING UNRECOVERABLE!
2006-09-06 07:11:00 · answer #1 · answered by TechNeo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be careful of data stored on the hard drive. Formatting the disk will not completely erase the information. Data recovery software can usually recover most if not all of the data.
Software to permanently erase your information (ie. WipeDrive and DataEraser) are available. Cost run from free to around $40 (remember in most cases you get what you pay for).
You can also pay to have a PC recycling company take care of disposal for you in an environmentally friendly manner.
Web search "PC Disposal" and "Data Erase" for more info.
Good Luck!
2006-09-06 15:15:28 · answer #2 · answered by MF 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if your old computer is still working ok why not give it too a friend who dont have a computer
your parents are getting a new one a Dell this year for Christmas. don't buy a dell laptop or there be more then Christmas lights that will light up dell say just coz there is snow on the top of the house don't meen the fire has gone out lmfao............. think befor you buy dell try hp computers
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/compare_category.do?storeName=computer_store&category=desktops/hp_pavilion&catLevel=1
2006-09-06 13:55:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can take the Hdd out and put it in your new one as a slave giving you more Disk space also it has ram and you can never have to much ram!
There is a lot of things you can do with an old computer.
2006-09-06 13:54:02 · answer #4 · answered by Joe10 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Format/Erase the hard drive and either sell the computer for parts or donate it to a school or philanthropy.
2006-09-06 13:55:23 · answer #5 · answered by flyboop_2000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey, have you thought about donating it to a public school? I bet they can get it to work decently for those young and eager students that could use it!
2006-09-06 13:56:30 · answer #6 · answered by peg 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before you throw it away,remove the boards from inside of it and burn them. (pour some gasoline on them) These things have your personal info,credit card info,and passwords. Some computer geek might come across this and use it for identity theft.
2006-09-06 13:57:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I always give mine away. You could sell it at a flea market for a low price. I always have people tell me they need one.
2006-09-06 13:52:22 · answer #8 · answered by stick man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give it to a charity shop to sell on...
2006-09-06 13:56:17 · answer #9 · answered by sarch_uk 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would find someone that isn't as fortunate as you and give it them......someone with less money
2006-09-06 13:52:24 · answer #10 · answered by SHORTI_77 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋