Calling all computer geeks!

**tinapbeana** · 03-12-2007, 07:46 PM

well, scfr, removing the memory won't actually remove your data: that is stored on the hard-drive itself.

**scfr** · 03-12-2007, 08:11 PM

Originally posted by tinapbeana View Post

well, scfr, removing the memory won't actually remove your data: that is stored on the hard-drive itself.

Silly me ... thinking that things would be remembered in the memory

Okay ... Then can I remove the hard drive and smash it with a sledgehammer? How do I do that?

**Broken Arrow** · 03-12-2007, 08:28 PM

As for removing your personal information, simply removing your hard drive should be enough to keep your data safe. And if you still insist on smashing it all Office Space-like, I'll happily volunteer to be your dumb muscle.

**tinapbeana** · 03-12-2007, 08:29 PM

Originally posted by scfr View Post

Silly me ... thinking that things would be remembered in the memory

makes about as much sense as driving on a parkway and parking on a driveway, doesn't it....

Originally posted by scfr View Post

Okay ... Then can I remove the hard drive and smash it with a sledgehammer? How do I do that?

swing really hard

ok, if you take the case off the computer you'll see inside, among other things, a grey metal box with dimensions about 1.5x4x6 (give or take) attached to the motherboard (looks like a circuit board) with a really wide cable. this should be your hard drive. go outside and smash to your heart's content.

**getforfree** · 03-12-2007, 10:25 PM

it is stored on a hard drive. so you can take it out and destroy it, burn it or something like that.

**scfr** · 03-13-2007, 08:38 AM

Thanks for your help, guys! I am going to put this project on the "Honey-Do" list ... my husband will be thrilled to have yet another use for his golf clubs!

**disneysteve** · 03-13-2007, 09:17 AM

Originally posted by scfr View Post

my husband will be thrilled to have yet another use for his golf clubs!

No self-respecting golfer would risk damaging his clubs that way. Use a hammer.

**th_tan** · 03-13-2007, 09:33 AM

Take your hard drive out and jump on it, then put it in the fireplace and watch it burn. Just make sure its destroyed because it may hold valuable information to any of your accounts that you may have forgotten about.

**Broken Arrow** · 03-13-2007, 10:25 AM

Me, I would've just wiped the partition(s)... and maybe zero the data... so I can re-use the drive later. Of course, I also don't have anything that would cause Homeland Security to move their terror alert up or anything so....

**scfr** · 03-13-2007, 10:38 AM

Originally posted by Broken Arrow View Post

Me, I would've just wiped the partition(s)... and maybe zero the data...

Ummm...BA, remember how you said your eyes started to glaze over when I wrote about marginal tax rates and standard vs. itemized deductions ... that is what I look like right now!

**Scanner** · 03-13-2007, 11:37 AM

Makes a good boat anchor.

**jIM_Ohio** · 03-13-2007, 12:28 PM

open a dos window

type format c:\

if the machine has a second partition

d:

format d:\

I did this once when I worked for government and had to delete some classified data.

A person would need to install a new operating system to make computer usable.

If you need specific instructions on opening a dos window:

start-programs-accessories-command prompt

then when window opens type

format c:

Fixing this will be expensive (kids do NOT try this on your parents home PC's). It will require a person buy, pirate or otherwise obtain an operating system to make PC work.

I have NOT done this since days of windows 95 and earlier.... so I make no claims to other error messages XP, NT or other which have been added since. It was simple doing this to windows 95.

**Broken Arrow** · 03-13-2007, 12:31 PM

Originally posted by scfr View Post

Ummm...BA, remember how you said your eyes started to glaze over when I wrote about marginal tax rates and standard vs. itemized deductions ... that is what I look like right now!

Hehe, silly rabbit. Well... um... nevermind. Skeet shooting is also a viable alternative.

**SavedintheCity** · 03-13-2007, 01:59 PM

Originally posted by scfr View Post

I've heard you can just remove the memory from a computer and smash it to bits with a sledge hammer --- Is that true? If so, how on earth do I find the memory, and how do I remove it? If anyone could please explain in non-technical terms, I'd really appreciate it! Thanks!

Uhh, that is not going to help anything. The RAM (which is what you are describing) is completely wiped after shutting down your computer.

If you want to wipe your hard drive (the internal disk in your computer that stores all your files and operating system) you can use several programs
Darik's Boot and Nuke (Hard Drive Disk Wipe), Summit Downloads Page (See the Hard Disk Scrubber file).

This site has a ton of free, DOD compliant disk wipers Free Secure File / Disk Deletion Tools: Destructively delete or wipe data in files / hard disks (thefreecountry.com)

See this link also PC World - Hard Drives Exposed

Most of these disk wipers are saved to a floppy drive, you boot your computer into the minimal DOS environment on the floppy drive and TOTALLY erase the ENTIRE hard drive with any and ALL information on the drive, including the operating system. That will make the computer TOTALLY UNUSABLE, until someone reinstalls the operating system (in your case probably Windows).

But disk wiping makes sure that only the most extremely smart, well-funded, professional, well-equipped evildoers in the world would ever be able to recover your data again, so when recycling/donating computers it is IMPERATIVE to do this.

Cheers

Saved

Calling all computer geeks!