To discard a computer, which part do I destroy?

**buglebe** · 04-04-2011, 11:00 AM

I know when I discard my old computer, I have to destroy some part of it to prevent computer savy people from getting credit card info and other from it. But I don't know which part. Anyone know? Is it the mother board or which part? Thanks.

**Advertisement** · 04-04-2011 11:00 AM

**sunniekiss** · 04-04-2011, 11:03 AM

I would imagine you remove the memory card. I'm not even sure your computer stores your cc info.

I did get a notification recently from Mew York & Co that their data base was hacked into. They don't think any vital information was taken but...sigh! I did get an email from Chase Bank but I closed my Chase account down 5 years ago. Not sure what to do about that one.

**dv8grl** · 04-04-2011, 11:03 AM

Its the hard drive. First off I would delete everything, then remove the hard drive.

**ntgsmommy** · 04-04-2011, 11:07 AM

yeap...it's your hard drive...my hubby shot our old one with his shotgun..lol...no one getting any info from that....

**Jolie Rouge** · 04-04-2011, 01:19 PM

donate to your local school with a computer lab ... the kids get experience working on them. You can also get a "rip" program. My old school will run the "rip" program while you wait. Wipes everything but basic operating systems.

**SLance68** · 04-04-2011, 03:31 PM

Take the hard drive out and smash it with a sledge hammer - note it is not easy to do. I would never give anyone a old hard drive no matter what program had been run. It is still possible to get the old info off if they really wanted it.

**Bliss** · 04-06-2011, 04:33 PM

^^^ Very true. There are no programs (to my knowledge) that will completely wipe out the hard drive. Always remove your hard drive before you toss or sell your pc.

If the "rip" doesn't erase the op - then it will not completely remove all personal information.

**buglebe** · 04-06-2011, 07:21 PM

How do I find and recognize the hard drive? I know this is showing how little I know about the inside workings of my computer. I do good just turning it on and off.

**Bliss** · 04-07-2011, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by buglebe

How do I find and recognize the hard drive? I know this is showing how little I know about the inside workings of my computer. I do good just turning it on and off.

The hard drive is located on the front panel underneath the cd rom. Here's a video - it can show you better than me explaining it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue-FvmAVYKM

**buglebe** · 04-07-2011, 06:18 PM

thank you Bliss and everyone else, I have some work to do now, to find it, at least I know what I'm looking for

**SLance68** · 04-08-2011, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by buglebe

thank you Bliss and everyone else, I have some work to do now, to find it, at least I know what I'm looking for

It is pretty easy to figure out what the hard drive is - the part that is larger and rectangular and it is pretty heavy.

Thread: To discard a computer, which part do I destroy?

Thread Tools

Display