scrapping a computer - what do I need to do to make it safe?

superscaper

I took mine apart and put a huge magnet across mine. That should do it without the need for violence.

Millionare

I do have to agree, to totally rid a hdd of any data is to get the hammer out the shed. considering you can get software to erase it working on it.

Millionare

bluseychris wrote: »

NO! IT CAN BE EASILY RECOVERED USING THAT METHOD! My advice is to keep it but if you must wipe it and be rid, here is the proper procedure.

1 - Get a DOD disk (search for DOD disk or Government Wipe). This erase all data on your hard drive by setting each value to 0. It will then go and set each value to 1. Then it will set each value randomly to 1 or 0. Do this 30 times. If you want MOD standard, do it 60 times.

2 - Take a vice and a really big drill. Drill a hole through the middle. A big hole!

3 - Now take the hard drive apart. With a really big hammer smash all the electronics. Take a circular saw and cut the platters (disks) into quaters.

4 - Get a plastic tub. Pour some concrete in, drop the remains of the hard disk in and pour some remaining concrete on the top. A plastic Ice-cream tub would do.

After that you can do what you want , see if you can reuse anything else in the PC or flog it. Personally I'd get rid of the new concrete block in a lake, or bury it at a land fill or something. Sounds extreme, but that's the most secure method.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Cricri

bluseychris wrote: »

NO! IT CAN BE EASILY RECOVERED USING THAT METHOD!

DBAN offers many methods, some of which are DoD compliant.
I don't think the Department of Defence of the USA decided "well, this method is rubbish, data can be recovered easily, but oh well, we hope that noone will try to pick up our drives from the trash to recover the top secret stuff we have on it".
Let's bet £100 each shall we: I have a spare 40GB hard drive, I wipe it with DBAN.
If you can retrieve the data, the £200 are yours. If you can't they are mine.

Millionare

Cricri wrote: »

DBAN offers many methods, some of which are DoD compliant.
I don't think the Department of Defence of the USA decided "well, this method is rubbish, data can be recovered easily, but oh well, we hope that noone will try to pick up our drives from the trash to recover the top secret stuff we have on it".
Let's bet £100 each shall we: I have a spare 40GB hard drive, I wipe it with DBAN.
If you can retrieve the data, the £200 are yours. If you can't they are mine.

The hard drive will be wiped and data unrecoverable at DOD or NSA. however the point is she cant boot it and just wants simple solution to make it unrecoverable

and there's nothing more simple than "Hammer, meet HDD":D

superscaper

Millionare wrote: »

and there's nothing more simple than "Hammer, meet HDD":D

It's the British way. I believe many MOD related organisations actually do use a hammer to physically destroy the discs.

Cricri

I know the data will be unrecoverable, I never bet money, unless I know it's in the pocket
bluseychris specifically said that it is "easily recovered", and that is just false.
The reason I insist about wiping is that I'm trying to spare local landfills from working computer parts

spurs1234

No matter what you do , magnet , kitty litter:rolleyes:,software wipe all data is still recoverable , this only method to make sure that your data is safe is by push a drill through the top (or a hammer) that will smash the disks into little bits..

It is the only way !! trust me

"easily recovered", and that is just false.

Oh he's right it is very very easy unless the disks are smashed

Eyesparky

My uncle is a retired industrial chemist. Naturally his solution to the problem was to take the disk platters and dissolve them in concentrated hydrochloric acid ... worked a treat

Millionare

Eyesparky wrote: »

My uncle is a retired industrial chemist. Naturally his solution to the problem was to take the disk platters and dissolve them in concentrated hydrochloric acid ... worked a treat

I'd be wary of an uncle thats like dissolving stuff in hydochloric acid.

Make sure you stay in his good books, otherwise he might dissolve you!

and there wont be any trace as well.