Computer Recycling - Where Should Old Computers Go? @ PC Stats

Vikingod · Feb 13, 2007, 01:59 PM

Source: PC Stats
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So you've just come back from your favourite little electronics store and nestled in your outstretched arms is a pile of new toys, most of which is intended to replace the aging hardware sitting by your desk. Maybe you've gone wireless and picked up a new 802.11n wireless router, or a new Serial ATA hard drive to replace the IDE drive that crashed last week... better yet, maybe you've splurged and just brought home an entirely new and customized computer system!

Matth · Feb 13, 2007, 03:03 PM

Another point they don't make strongly, hardly at all, is that your discarded system or hard disk could be a wealth of information to a fraudster.

Some people would say you should physically destroy a hard drive, but nuking it with commercial or freeware tools for the job, such as Darik's Boot and Nuke is more than adequate, even a disk drive maker's "Zero fill" tool and a single overwrite puts the data beyond trivial recovery.

DOS/Windows level format, FDISK & whatever are NOT ENOUGH. Also, securing any vulnerable data and leaving a working system is difficult, unless you secure erase and then re-install.

Feb 13, 2007, 01:59 PM	#1
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,197 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	Computer Recycling - Where Should Old Computers Go? @ PC Stats Source: PC Stats _________ So you've just come back from your favourite little electronics store and nestled in your outstretched arms is a pile of new toys, most of which is intended to replace the aging hardware sitting by your desk. Maybe you've gone wireless and picked up a new 802.11n wireless router, or a new Serial ATA hard drive to replace the IDE drive that crashed last week... better yet, maybe you've splurged and just brought home an entirely new and customized computer system!

Feb 13, 2007, 03:03 PM	#2
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	Another point they don't make strongly, hardly at all, is that your discarded system or hard disk could be a wealth of information to a fraudster. Some people would say you should physically destroy a hard drive, but nuking it with commercial or freeware tools for the job, such as Darik's Boot and Nuke is more than adequate, even a disk drive maker's "Zero fill" tool and a single overwrite puts the data beyond trivial recovery. DOS/Windows level format, FDISK & whatever are NOT ENOUGH. Also, securing any vulnerable data and leaving a working system is difficult, unless you secure erase and then re-install. __________________ Mary had a little lamb, Her father shot it dead Now Mary takes her lamb to school, Between two crusts of bread