selling/donating an old computer? worried about theft?
Are you concerned about security? I am, but I acknowledge I am paranoid...
If you are like me you may have collected some old defunct machines or replaced hard drives through the years. In my case I have a dozen or more old drives that fill a desk drawer, some are just good novel paper weights. I also have several old dead machines that are not worth repair.
Practically speaking; I now have failing drive. The machine vendor (Sager) has agreed to send me a replacement drive... when it arrives I will clone the existing drive and all will be good, all OSs, programs, and data will be intact, but I need to return the old drive to them. Not gonna happen without it being properly blanked!
it is kind of geeky and seems complicated, but actually it is rather simple to do...
follow this link for simple instructions>>> Low level formatting - when, why and how
enjoy!
I have about 20 old hard drives, good and bad, in a drawer taking up space.
> I have about 20 old hard drives, good and bad, in a drawer taking up space.
Hoarders are not popular these days...
Clone
Call me whatever but I prefer to take them apart and take the magnet. Permanent and crazy strong, I think 2 would be sufficient to suspend a total... Well if you wanted to.
Busting the Biggest PC Myths
Busting the Biggest PC Myths
interesting
I've always wanted to take the faceplate off and make a clock out of one.
> I prefer to take them apart and take the magnet.
I do that, too. I have a whole bunch of them, for which have yet to find a practical use. Note that they're very brittle, and letting them slam into ferrous or otherwise magnetic items can send chips flying at dangerous velocities.
Regarding the various erasing strategies, I was told by a computer security guy that someone with the right tools and know-how (e.g., the Feds) can read disk platters that have been overwritten. Apparently there's enough residual magnetic information from prior writes that sensitive devices in the hands of experts can sometimes tease out what once was there.
My approach is very low tech. I take out the hard drive and use my anvil and a hammer and reduce it to very small pieces.
I can't imagine any technology which could retrieve any information from it.
destruction is fun, but recycle/reuse is cool
You are right--way cool!
> Eraser
Hub Tack: I have heard of Eraser, but know nothing about it. Have you used it yourself?
thanks, Peter
Yes I have used it several times. It over-writes whatever you select, how many times you select. Just read the notes and you will be OK.
