I remain totally baffled at the amount of pre-owned computers out there today, just handed over to complete strangers without data removed completely. I’ve heard stories of individuals buying old bank computers on eBay, and lo and behold, the bank data is still there! Or of someone just giving someone else his/her computer without making sure the data is completely erased.
Part of the problem is that people don’t know what erasing data really entails. Just tossing documents into the Recycle Bin on your desktop does not erase data. Just selecting “Empty Recycle Bin” doesn’t completely remove the data, either. The data technically still remains on the hard drive– it’s just jumbled now. For data to be completely removed from your hard drive, you have to do one of the following:
- Remove your hard drive from your computer and smash it to smithereens with a hammer.
- Delete your data and have the hard drive rewritten.
There’s a neat, free (!) program I’ve recently heard of that erases data. Not surprisingly, it’s called Eraser. It’s open source, so that means it’s free! Eraser rewrites information onto your hard drive several times. This erases your old data. It’s definitely safer than handing over your old unit to an eBay auction!
P.S. this is not a paid review! I know there ar ea lot of readers who buy and use older, pre-owned computers. I hope this program helps you.
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#1 by akaGaGa on October 22, 2009 - 9:15 pm
I just read another alternative tonight to the hammer – take a blow-torch to it and melt it. Sounds like more fun.
#2 by Mrs. Mecomber on October 22, 2009 - 9:20 pm
Oh I like that! You could also use thermite, something I’ve always wanted to see…
listen to us! Can you tell we’re from the wooly wilds of Upstate NY???
#3 by Marly on October 22, 2009 - 10:31 pm
Well, I am one of the people who bought pre-owned computer. I hope the software will help me…thanks for this. I will check and let you know.
Marly
#4 by Mrs. Mecomber on October 22, 2009 - 10:43 pm
I hope you find it useful!
Please just remember that Eraser will wipe EVERYTHING from your hard drive. Be sure to back up any data you want saved. It will be totally unrecoverable if you use Eraser.
#5 by Junk Drawer Kathy on October 23, 2009 - 5:26 am
We have a program at work that writes zeros to every sector of the drive. If for some reason we can’t run the program, we remove the drive and smash it on the concrete floor ten times. I usually let my student assistant do it. He finds it so much fun!
#6 by ann on October 23, 2009 - 7:01 pm
That’s kind of scary thinking that my bank could someday sell off some computers and it’s got my info still in it.
#7 by Theresa on October 24, 2009 - 11:47 am
That is weird that you posted this since I have an old laptop that has been sitting around since I got my current one. The reason I bought a new one was the old one died…both the battery and (I think) the hard drive. I’ve been trying to find a way to dispose of it properly but since it doesn’t work I can’t do anything about erasing the hard drive. I would love to be able to take it out and smash it as you suggest but I’m not real computer savvy. I’ve been phoning around and I guess there are some recycling programs and they can take care of the hard drive for you. I was tempted to smash the whole thing!
#8 by Mrs. Mecomber on October 24, 2009 - 7:37 pm
Kathy- that sounds like such fun! I wish I was your assistant! There nust be high demand for the job, eh?
Ann- yes, indeed. :S
Theresa- yes, smashing is not advised where you want to save the drive! Haha! I have a similar problem as you with an old laptop. I intend to take the thing apart, just because I like to take things apart.
#9 by Theresa on October 25, 2009 - 11:56 am
Well you won’t believe it but I managed to find the information on how to remove the hard drive. So I got it out and plan on smashing it before I drop it off for recycling. It was actually pretty easy and once you get it out it says “Hard Drive” on it…lol.
#10 by chilly on October 31, 2009 - 4:23 pm
umm, I didn’t know you could wipe a hard drive totally clean. I wanted to do that with this computer my brother n law gave me because there’s stuff of his taking up space that I can’t find in order to take off.
Thanks! I will look more into this now.
Hi there! Hope you guys have a Happy Halloween!!