How do you get rid of old laptops?

Gofirstclass

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Apr 20, 2010
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Tri Cities, WA
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Over the past 10-15 years I have gone through 5 laptops, being on my 6th now. I've just put the old ones in my closet and stacked them up but now I realize they're just taking up room. Most of them died a sudden death and were replaced and one or two just got so old and slow I decided to get rid of them.

So now comes the question> how in the heck do I get rid of them? Should I be concerned about the data on the hard drive? Should I remove the hard drives and destroy them before tossing the laptops?

Your thoughts?
 
Remove the hard drive and drill a few holes in it.
Check with your city - they probably have a place to drop them off.
 
Last edited:
Ooopps. dropped it overboard. Just kidding, as said above move towns has recycling.
 
Over the past 10-15 years I have gone through 5 laptops, being on my 6th now. I've just put the old ones in my closet and stacked them up but now I realize they're just taking up room. Most of them died a sudden death and were replaced and one or two just got so old and slow I decided to get rid of them.

So now comes the question> how in the heck do I get rid of them? Should I be concerned about the data on the hard drive? Should I remove the hard drives and destroy them before tossing the laptops?

Your thoughts?
I’m thinking about asking the Clintons the best way. It’s the most effective way I’ve seen. Wait...... not seen. Sorry, couldn’t resist, I am wondering the same thing, I’ve accumulated a few myself.
 
I remove the hard drives, pound them to pieces, particularly the disc. Then toss parts in the trash each week for a week or two. Donate machine to a place that recycles the metals.

MM
 
I have used a utility to wipe the disk drive. One in particular I have used is Dban. I think we would be surprised how many people donate old computers leaving tons of personal information on them.
 
+1 on DBAN (dariks boot and nuke).
It's still not 100% but it puts it well outside of the normal recovery process.

You should also be concerned with CF & SD cards and any USB thumb drives. A simple delete or even formatting will leave plenty of data or images behind.

-Kevin
 
Remove the hard drives and smash them to bits. Then take the parts to a Best Buy and throw them into their recycle bin. Easy peasy and costs no money. Alternately, some towns have annual free pickups. Don't throw them into the trash because its not environmentally responsible.
 
Our landfill collects computers, laptops. I would do the same, remove the hard drive and recycle the rest.
 
I take them to the gun club
I like that idea. Paste a bullseye target on them and blast away.

I figured I should remove the hard drives but, lazy bustard that I am I thought there might be an easier way. That'll give me something to do tomorrow.

Thanks for all the feedback. Merry Christmas to all of my CSR brothas and sistas.
 
Over the past 10-15 years I have gone through 5 laptops, being on my 6th now. I've just put the old ones in my closet and stacked them up but now I realize they're just taking up room. Most of them died a sudden death and were replaced and one or two just got so old and slow I decided to get rid of them.

So now comes the question> how in the heck do I get rid of them? Should I be concerned about the data on the hard drive? Should I remove the hard drives and destroy them before tossing the laptops?

Your thoughts?

Do you have an electronic waste depot in your area?
 
I just replaced a couple of hard drives. One was 8 screws and a plug, the other was 12 screws and a plug. 5 minutes each to remove and button back up.

MM
 
Definitely obliterate the hard drive. Drill holes, smash with a hammer, etc. DBAN is good but don't trust it 100%. I have a degree in Computer Forensics & Security and it is possible to retrieve data after it has been wiped (DoD has done it). Not likely any 'rookies' would have success but why chance it.
The VA policy mandates hard drive destruction, not wiping (DBAN)
 
There's a hard drive shredder out where I work.
I don't have access to it, but we do maintenance on it.
The Dept of Energy takes cyber security pretty serious.
 
A 12 gage shotgun does a great job on those pseky hard drives. Then take what's left to the recycler.
 
You may want to consider saving the hard drives and using them for storage. Usually it’s the OS that goes out or the laptop itself but the HD is still useable. You can buy a very cheap device to plug a hard drive in and connect it to a USB on a PC and at least get pics or other files off it. You just can’t run the programs from it. But media should show up. And you can store other media on it. I have 2 like this.
 

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