disposing of knackered PC

virgin_moneysaver

well my desktop has finally given up the ghost, after a few probs my only option was to reload Windows XP but the pc is no longer picking up the internet, (Iknow the inet is working as the boys laptops are still online) - rang the helpcentre at virgin media who tried to reset it but it must be a hardware failure - so how best to dispose of said PC that contains bank account numbers etc??

santer_2

Assuming you re-installed the driver for the network card, remove the hard drive if you send it anywhere such as a charity or recycler

closed

have you installed the network drivers, have a look in device manager for question marks.

Probably easily fixable with more information

Ebe_Scrooge

santer wrote: »

Assuming you re-installed the driver for the network card, remove the hard drive if you send it anywhere such as a charity or recycler

.... and the high-tech ( and sure-fire ) way to erase all data on the hard disc before you bin it is to use the FBH application ( that's Flipping Big Hammer ). I.E physically pulverise it ( the actual discs inside, not just the casing ).

GillsMan7

To answer the actual question, the best way to dispose of a HDD (and even give it away) is to use a bit of software called DBAN (Darik's Boot & Nuke). I could provide a technical explanation of how this works if you want (but I suggest you don't), but this is the best way to wipe a HDD without physically damaging it.

The software is free.

You could, as Scrooge suggests, take a hammer to it, but DBAN is just as good in all honesty.

tanith

Drill through the hard drive might be one solution

googler

Take the hard drive out of the PC, and keep it. That's the most secure way of keeping your personal data to yourself.

You may find it still useable if you put it in an external USB caddy and connect it to another PC

Sell the PC on eBay or somewhere else without the hard drive. Someone somewhere will happily take it off your hands.

gonzo127

i also agree it sounds as if the network card drivers have not been installed properly, if you cant or dont want to get the network drivers sorted stright away you can test your system with one of the Linux LiveCD's (i would recommend Ubuntu or one of the derivatives such as, xubuntu, Lubuntu or Linux Mint) in which you just need to download the ISO and burn it off (instructions are provided) then pop the disk in re boot and it should give you the option to 'try Ubuntu' (or which ever version you have picked)

this will run the entire operating system from the CD and your systems ram without making any changes to your hard drive, and if you can then get online (guessing you are using a wired connection) you know it is not your hardware and then you can get around to fixing windows

googler

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

.... and the high-tech ( and sure-fire ) way to erase all data on the hard disc before you bin it is to use the FBH application ( that's Flipping Big Hammer ). I.E physically pulverise it ( the actual discs inside, not just the casing ).

Why the enthusiasm for killing what appears to be a WORKING drive?

OP; take the HDD out of the PC and KEEP IT TO YOURSELF. Safe as houses for all your details contained therein

guitarbloke

By the sounds of it, you really don't need to be looking to get rid of your PC.

If you are not confident in diagnosing and resolving the problem, save yourself several hundred pounds and take it into PC World or the like and pay them to sort it out.

This sounds like a very extreme solution for what is without a doubt a minor and easily remedied problem (akin to buying a new car because a headlight has gone on your current one).

However, if you are dead set on disposing of it, then yes, take a hammer to it, or drill through it for a fast, cheap way. Alternatively there are organisations who will do it for you (for a fee of course).

fwor

guitarbloke wrote: »

take it into PC World

...and be prepared to be told that the motherboard has failed (when it almost certainly hasn't).