Hi, I am going to recycle of an old computer. Will removing the hard drive prevent identy theft?
Thanks Woodbutcher

 

The hard drive would be the only component with information on it. Removing it and destroying it would keep any information under wraps.

 

It will also, of course, mean the computer will likely have "0" value as a used computer; having to buy/install a hard drive would be more than the rest of the parts are worth. Unless by "recycle" you mean "toos out with the trash". Why not just format the drive? Yes, yes, I know it's still possible to extract information from a formatted drive, but it's not something the average computer person or even semi-geek could even attempt much less accomplish. Your chances of being a victim of identity theft from the hard drive in a used computer that's been reformatted are roughly the same as hitting the lottery.

My $.02 worth.

 

In addition to formatting the drive, you should rewrite the files. There are programs out there that will overwrite the files with nonsense data. This means that even if someone searches your hard drive, they won't find anything that makes sense.

 

Good point racraft. I did a quick serach and came up with several freeware programs like these:

http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/
http://www.parisien.org/products.htm

 

Hello,Thank You for the help. This computer is about ten years old, windows 95 I tried to reformat the hard drive and the computer wouldn't allow me to. I'm going to trash it. We have recycle places here that take that sort of things.
Again Thanks for the help.

Woodbutcher

 

If the machine still boots, I recommend downloading "DBAN" and running it to wipe the drive. This open-source (aka FREE) program can do multiple-pass wipes that will prevent data recovery.

You can get DBAN here.

 

I can remember when Win 95 was THE os. I still have a Win95 cd; keeping it for 20 years or so to see what it'll be worth on e-bay. Other alternative would be sledge hammer on a hard surface, but the disks would still have data on them [be a real dog to recover the info, tho]. Could also take it by your local junkyard and have them energize the 10 ton electromagnet they use for moving scrap metal on it, but one of the "wipe" programs would be easiest.

 

You could always take the old harddrive and open it up.. That would satisfy any curiosity you might have about what they look like.. The magnets in it are also some of the strongest made.. Kinda cool to play with..

 

True, but watch your fingers. Man do those hurt when they pinch you.

Old 5.25" floppy drives had a cool donut shaped magnet in them too.


My favorite thing to do upon disassembly is to manually partition the hard drive on a platter by platter basis with sheet metal tools. Here's a tip though: Handle the platters by the edge...finger prints show up bad on the highly polished mirror-like surface.

Unless you have about a #7 Torx bit, those things tend to be hard to get open. They are amazingly resilient. Hint: Throwing them at concrete just dents them.

 

OK Guys here's what i did; I removed the hard drive and took the rest of the computer, moniter. speakers ,printer, and scanner to the city recycle center. I then opened the hard drive (pretty neat set up) and removed the two shiney metal disk, I then cut them in half I took half of each disk and cut it into small pieces and put them in the trash next week I will do the same to the other halfs.
I have worked with my hands all my life from sawmill to public housing always liked a challenge however when I bought that computer about ten years ago I promised myself I wouldn't open that computer to see how it worked, just use it and enjoy. I did back myself into corners at times, but I never opened that computer up untill I took out the hard drive. I hope my new one last as long, oh heck I hope I last as long.
Thanks for the help!
Woodbutcher

 

What fun is that? We spent $20,000 on a server last year where I was working at the time. That server didn't even get powered up before we poked around inside it.

 

I'll bet you had all kinds of dust bunnies in it..

 

Aww, that ain't nothing.. I have unopened copies of Win 3.1, and DOS 5.0 I'm saving for my grandkids college fund..