Question by Nosey parker: Once a computer has reached the end of its life can its memory be accessed?
I have just been and bought a new laptop to replace my old one. My old laptop crashed completely and now I am curious how to disopose of it and also how to destroy any memory that will be on the hard disc.
This is because someone told me that the memory is still accessible, to anyone wiith the same laptop moddel.
So what would you do?
Best answer:
Answer by Vomit
That someone is a tool. The hard drive can be removed, tossed into an external enclosure, and accessed by ANYONE if it’s still working.
To solve the problem, remove the hard drive and whack it with a hammer a few times.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
To destroy the data without damaging the drive, you can download DBAN, boot the computer with it, and wipe the drive (DoD short 3 pass is fine).
If the drive doesn’t work anymore, you can just go open it up and smash the platters with a hammer. Or shoot it. Anything, really.
FYI, you don’t need the same laptop model to access the data. Hard drives use standard connections. And data can be recovered even from a dead drive, even if deleted or formatted. That’s why it’s important to either wipe multiple times or physically destroy it.
Well first of your not allowed to dump it in the trash it’s hazardous waste under the WEEE directive(Waste Electronic & Electrical Equipment Directive ).
There are computer recycling companies all over the UK that will take your computer and recycle it under the Data Protection Act they have to destroy your data.
This solves both your problems
the 2 I know of are PHS MAXITECH in Enfield, Middlesex & Byteback in Bristol.
you have to take out the hard drive and destroy it, if you want to get rid of all data permanently.
The easiest way is to perform a low level format on the hard drive. This will clear ALL data off the drive and NO ONE will be able to recover it because there will be nothing to recover. You can download a low level disk drive formatter from the manufacturer of the drive.
Of course you can always keep it as a spare or flog it on eBay.
Ignore the grunts who just want to smash everything up. You don’t have to pay anyone to dispose of the drive, just take it to your local council recycling yard.