Disposing of an old computer

[Steven]

I have an old computer that I've had since 1998 and, as you can probably imagine, it's slow as a reeeaaallllyy slow thing.

I also decided I have no real use for 3 computers and that'd definitely be the candidate to receive it's walking papers.

I thought of erasing it and donating it to goodwill, but it's so outdated I don't think anyone would want it.

What is the safest way to dispose of it without throwing any cash at it, program wise? Keep in mind its 8-9 years old, so I have no idea what is on it as far as personal info goes, and I want to make sure, should someone get a hold of it, they have no way to access anything that may be deep within the abyss of the hard drive.

Thanks

Now I'll sit back and hope it involves a sledgehammer.

[mike]

Re: Disposing of an old computer

boat anchor??

[mike]

Re: Disposing of an old computer

target practice? You do hunt don't you?

[arrow32]

Re: Disposing of an old computer

Id just bust up the harddrive with a hammer and throw it away they dont care if we throw em with our trash up here.

Wish i was close to ya id take it off your hands. I use old parts.

[buckee]

Re: Disposing of an old computer

Well, if you were a real nice guy, you could always get it reformated and give it to someone or use it as an anchor and something for the marine life to swim in and out of

[preacherman]

Re: Disposing of an old computer

I have in the past drawn a bullseye target on the side of the tower and used them for target practice.

[M00N]

Re: Disposing of an old computer

Steven I've used this program to securely erase data. It's freeware. [LINK] Another way to get most, if not all of, the data unretrievable is to reformat the computer 4 times in a row. This makes recovering data near impossible once you do it that many times.

[toddyboman]

Re: Disposing of an old computer

I like your sledgehammer idea. Like you said its so old its has served it purpose. I would take a sledgehammer to it.

[Adjam5]

Re: Disposing of an old computer

I think there is a whole lot of mercury(bad) and gold(good) in them PC's. Where I live in NY, one has to bring the PC's and any electronic equipment to a county recycling facilty. Monitors are LOADED with poison for the earth, so if at all possible make every effort to dispose of that old PC in the most "green" way as possible.

If its going into the trash, I'd take out that hard drive and ventilate it at 100 yards with my AR-15

Or give the hard drive the hammer treatment, come on...how many time have you wished you could take a hammer to the PC?

[NS whitetail]

Re: Disposing of an old computer

[ QUOTE ]

come on...how many time have you wished you could take a hammer to the PC?

[/ QUOTE ]

hehehe I was thinking the same thing as I read this thread

[Swamphunter]

Re: Disposing of an old computer

Open it with a sledgehammer, remove the hard drive, set what left of the computer alongside the road, and the garbage pickers will come along and grab it up for whatever useable parts may be left intact.