Safest way to dispose of non-bootable laptops?

[Caymus]

What is the safest way to dispose of non-working laptops that may contain financial data on hard drives? Can computers shops be trusted? Don't want to get in a situation like a "certain politician's" son did.:smiley: When I was working, I would remove the drives and put them in one of the hydraulic presses at work.:smiley:

[PoolBrews]

Wiping your hard drive on a Windows machine:

1) Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset PC.
2) Select Remove everything, and then Remove files and clean the drive.
3) Click Next, Reset, and then Continue.

As long as you select the "clean the drive" option there will be nothing recoverable left on the drive. It takes a while, but it overwrites all data portions of the drive.

No need to physically destroy the drive, and it can be reused.

[retiredguy123]

The safest way is with a sledge hammer.

[golfing eagles]

Wiping your hard drive on a Windows machine:

1) Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset PC.
2) Select Remove everything, and then Remove files and clean the drive.
3) Click Next, Reset, and then Continue.

As long as you select the "clean the drive" option there will be nothing recoverable left on the drive. It takes a while, but it overwrites all data portions of the drive.

No need to physically destroy the drive, and it can be reused.

However, the OP titled the thread "Safest way to dispose of non-bootable laptops?"

[onfire]

Remove the drive and physically destroy it, the easiest method is an old flat blade screwdriver and hammer. Just drive it through the very thin cover and into the discs (not in the center where the motor is).

[jrref]

Drill a couple of holes in the hard drive.

[CarlR33]

3 Ways to Recycle Old Computer Hard Drives - wikiHow (https://www.wikihow.com/Recycle-Old-Computer-Hard-Drives)

[MrChip72]

Get an old cookie sheet. Preheat oven to 350. Put laptop on cookie sheet lined with tin foil for 45 mins. Tried and true recipe.

[tophcfa]

The safest way is with a sledge hammer.

That’s exactly what I would do, then bag the pieces and toss it out with the trash.

[SFSkol]

install Linux Mint on it.
Just dl the iso. Install, wipes hard drive. Then you have a new secure PC
Easy to do, take you a half hour. Many YouTube install videos.

[retiredguy123]

install Linux Mint on it.
Just dl the iso. Install, wipes hard drive. Then you have a new secure PC
Easy to do, take you a half hour. Many YouTube install videos.
How do you do that when the laptop is non-bootable and non-working?

[SFSkol]

Kinda really means by non-working. If it turns on you can use my solution. If not, pull the drive and wait till garbage day and have the truck run over it.

Another poorly written original post that does not really explain the issue.

oh well....

[MikeN]

Hard drives are easy to remove and destroy. Hope you have a backup for your info

[Berwin]

There's a computer guy on 441 in the strip mall with Francesco's where I've taken some old laptops to get rid of. I think it is Troy's Computers. He said he'd remove the hard drives and destroy them but I had already removed them and taken care of it. Personally, I've helped several friends by bringing my toolkit over and taking their hard drives out for them to dispose of.

[Pachine58]

Wiping your hard drive on a Windows machine:

1) Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset PC.
2) Select Remove everything, and then Remove files and clean the drive.
3) Click Next, Reset, and then Continue.

As long as you select the "clean the drive" option there will be nothing recoverable left on the drive. It takes a while, but it overwrites all data portions of the drive.

No need to physically destroy the drive, and it can be reused.
===============

You can do this and even format the drive, I will be able to pull all your data back. You can even wipe out the partition, I can pull back the data.

Only way is to physically damage the HD. Put a Nail thru it.

[retiredguy123]

There's a computer guy on 441 in the strip mall with Francesco's where I've taken some old laptops to get rid of. I think it is Troy's Computers. He said he'd remove the hard drives and destroy them but I had already removed them and taken care of it. Personally, I've helped several friends by bringing my toolkit over and taking their hard drives out for them to dispose of.
The OP said that he wants to dispose of the laptop. There is no need to remove the hard drive. Just smash the laptop a few times with a hammer, making sure the hard drive is bent and can no longer be used. Then, throw it in the trash. To me, that is a lot safer than turning the computer over to a stranger who could steal the data, or installing a software program that may not work.

[Caymus]

Hard drives are easy to remove and destroy. Hope you have a backup for your info

I only have a few "critical" files which I routinely back up to an external drive.

The first one I opened had a solid-state drive which was easy to disable. I used to build desktops a few decades ago and remember that the drives back then were physically strong.

[Maker]

Get an old cookie sheet. Preheat oven to 350. Put laptop on cookie sheet lined with tin foil for 45 mins. Tried and true recipe.

I would not want the toxic fumes in my oven. Use a grill maybe? Better yet, drill several holes through it.

OR ... Take the drive apart and remove the platter. Makes a great mirror. Boy Scouts are taught how to use it to signal for help when lost.

The magnets in it are also very strong. Nice to have on hand.

[JoelJohnson]

I convert old laptops to Linux. I can remove your old drive and put in an old drive with Linux. I'll show you how it works and show you how it works, that way you can keep your old laptop. Then I'll erase everything on your drive (and show that everything is gone) so I can use your drive on someone else's laptop. JoelJohnson530@gmail.com

[LeRoySmith]

My advice would be physically destroy the drive.

In my former life I managed data centers for a big insurance company, part of that work was to see that the old servers were destroyed and recycled. There was a pretty robust process to ensure we didn't destroy a drive accidentally, well one got through and made it's way into the press that bends the disc so it couldn't be read. The systems department realized their error in sending it to us and and asked for it back. I took it myself to their head, it was very bent up from the press. They took that drive to a magician and he retreaved the data. I would have bet anything that was impossible but they did it.

From that point on our presses were outfitted with a spike that went all the way through the drive so it have a big hole poked through it in addition to being bent up. A couple of years later I bought a big grinder and we sent them out as little pieces.

Obviously most places don't have those kind of resources but never say never.

[MidWestIA]

put drive in charcoal grill

[Haggar]

After removing the drive and destroying it drop the laptop off at a recycling center. Look up on google the centers or stores in your area. Laptops contain dangerous materials - lead, mercury, etc.

[christine J Toft]

I actually take my old hard drives apart and recover the battery that's in it. They'll pick up lots of stuff!! Then just take apart the housing and trash it. Of course, take the parts to the proper drop offs.

[Cliff Fr]

I have a very strong magnet that I move over the hard drive after I take it out.

[PoolBrews]

===============

You can do this and even format the drive, I will be able to pull all your data back. You can even wipe out the partition, I can pull back the data.

Only way is to physically damage the HD. Put a Nail thru it.

This is incorrect. I was in IT for 40 years. As long as the wipe process OVERWRITES all date, there is no way to pull that data back.

Neither formatting or deleting a partition remove data so yes, in this case, data could be retrieved. If you wipe with full overwrite, it's impossible as the original data is no longer there.

[LeRoySmith]

This is incorrect. I was in IT for 40 years. As long as the wipe process OVERWRITES all date, there is no way to pull that data back.

Neither formatting or deleting a partition remove data so yes, in this case, data could be retrieved. If you wipe with full overwrite, it's impossible as the original data is no longer there.

One of my booger eater buddies told me a 'delete' or 'erase' just changed the first character of a packet with a wild card, if you go put the correct character back the data could be recovered. Is that accurate, or at least directionally correct?

[Jim1mack]

Destroy the hard drive then put the laptop on the curb. Someone will pick it up. No longer your problem.

[tralemaster]

I remove the hard drive and then take laptop to recycle center like Best Buy. I purchase a SATA to USB case and use the hard drive as an external usb drive. About $12 on Amazon.

Once set up as usb drive you can easily wipe the drive completely clean.

[Sandy and Ed]

I would not want the toxic fumes in my oven. Use a grill maybe? Better yet, drill several holes through it.

OR ... Take the drive apart and remove the platter. Makes a great mirror. Boy Scouts are taught how to use it to signal for help when lost.

The magnets in it are also very strong. Nice to have on hand.
Best answer IMHO. Take it apart. Remove the disc. Destroy the disc

[Robojo]

What is the safest way to dispose of non-working laptops that may contain financial data on hard drives? Can computers shops be trusted? Don't want to get in a situation like a "certain politician's" son did.:smiley: When I was working, I would remove the drives and put them in one of the hydraulic presses at work.:smiley:

Take the hard drive out. Take it to the shooting range as a target.

Theres gold in that laptop. I'll take it if you don't want it, minus the hard drive.

[Lea N]

Wiping your hard drive on a Windows machine:

1) Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset PC.
2) Select Remove everything, and then Remove files and clean the drive.
3) Click Next, Reset, and then Continue.

As long as you select the "clean the drive" option there will be nothing recoverable left on the drive. It takes a while, but it overwrites all data portions of the drive.

No need to physically destroy the drive, and it can be reused.

Wow, thank you for this. I've wondered the same thing that the OP did but had no idea what to do. Thank you!!

[Lea N]

That’s exactly what I would do, then bag the pieces and toss it out with the trash.

I've thought the same thing.

[SpartanMark]

How long does it need to cool before slicing?

[Deden]

Hard drive should be copied that has all your Info on it. I have taken mine to Best Buy. I'm pretty sure Staples does that also.

[JMintzer]

Kinda really means by non-working. If it turns on you can use my solution. If not, pull the drive and wait till garbage day and have the truck run over it.

Another poorly written original post that does not really explain the issue.

oh well....

The OP seem pretty clear to most...

[PoolBrews]

One of my booger eater buddies told me a 'delete' or 'erase' just changed the first character of a packet with a wild card, if you go put the correct character back the data could be recovered. Is that accurate, or at least directionally correct?

Yes, a simple delete or erase doesn't actually delete the data, it just changes the header for the data so that the file doesn't show up to the OS, and the space on the drive is available for use. If the OS allocates that space and writes data, then the previous data is unrecoverable.

That is why I clear state that you need to do a full wipe which includes overwriting the entire drive with random 1's and 0's.

A normal format does not overwrite the data, a wipe does.

[broiler]

I shoot mine. 😎

[Grinchie]

I put my old laptop in a tub full of water & let it soak for two days (it wouldn’t turn on afterwards.). I like the hammer idea better, but I’d probably never damage the hard drive, just the casing.

[Fairtoall]

What is the safest way to dispose of non-working laptops that may contain financial data on hard drives? Can computers shops be trusted? Don't want to get in a situation like a "certain politician's" son did.:smiley: When I was working, I would remove the drives and put them in one of the hydraulic presses at work.:smiley:

I am a computer guy. There is one way. Hammer then fire.

[swerner]

That’s exactly what I would do, then bag the pieces and toss it out with the trash.

Electronic equipment should never be tossed in the trash. On Sumter County hazardous waste collection days, they also collect computers and TV’s for safe recycling.

[retiredguy123]

Electronic equipment should never be tossed in the trash. On Sumter County hazardous waste collection days, they also collect computers and TV’s for safe recycling.
I'm skeptical. Recycle means that they reuse it. How do they recycle worthless computers and televisions. Are you sure that they actually recycle them?

[rsmurano]

Formatting the drive or erasing the drive normally doesn’t stop the next guy to use a rescue app to grab data off the drive. Unless your formatting software will format/erase your drive 7 times the data can be recovered. Especially from a windows pc.
If it’s a windows pc, I’d even toss a working 1 pc and get an apple or linux pc.

[retiredguy123]

I wouldn't trust any software or computer instructions to wipe a drive. Physical destruction is the safest way to go.

[Altavia]

I'm skeptical. Recycle means that they reuse it. How do they recycle worthless computers and televisions. Are you sure that they actually recycle them?

They essentially mine the valuable materials/metals from the waste.

Bulk Electronic recycling occurs primarily in order to recover valuable rare-earth metals and precious metals.

For example, the exact amount of gold in a computer or hard drive can vary around 0.15-0.3 gram worth around $10-$20 for that metal alone.


Computer Recycling | How Computers Are Recycled (https://www.simslifecycle.com/business/e-waste-recycling/how-we-do-it/)

[retiredguy123]

They essentially mine the valuable materials/metals from the waste.

Bulk Electronic recycling occurs primarily in order to recover valuable rare-earth metals and precious metals.

For example, the exact amount of gold in a computer or hard drive can vary around 0.15-0.3 gram worth around $10-$20 for that metal alone.


Computer Recycling | How Computers Are Recycled (https://www.simslifecycle.com/business/e-waste-recycling/how-we-do-it/)
Thanks for the information. I understand that electronics have some valuable materials in them. But, I wonder how many of the electronic items disposed of are actually received and processed by a facility like the one featured in the video. The video says nothing about how much funding they receive from the Government. I believe that this industry would not exist without Government funding. The EPA is heavily involved in recycling and provides grants to recycling companies. If you eliminated the grants, the entire industry would probably disappear because there would be no profit in it.

[themarinos]

What is the safest way to dispose of non-working laptops that may contain financial data on hard drives? Can computers shops be trusted? Don't want to get in a situation like a "certain politician's" son did.:smiley: When I was working, I would remove the drives and put them in one of the hydraulic presses at work.:smiley:

Try Best Buy or Staples to see if they recycle them

[roguesearcher]

Wiping your hard drive on a Windows machine:

1) Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset PC.
2) Select Remove everything, and then Remove files and clean the drive.
3) Click Next, Reset, and then Continue.

As long as you select the "clean the drive" option there will be nothing recoverable left on the drive. It takes a while, but it overwrites all data portions of the drive.

No need to physically destroy the drive, and it can be reused.
....and finish the job with a hammer...

[Dust Bunny]

RrEMOVE HDPUT IT IN A BUCKET OF BLEACH OR BATTERY ACID OVERNIGHT -YOUR DONE

[Topspinmo]

What is the safest way to dispose of non-working laptops that may contain financial data on hard drives? Can computers shops be trusted? Don't want to get in a situation like a "certain politician's" son did.:smiley: When I was working, I would remove the drives and put them in one of the hydraulic presses at work.:smiley:


When I had my stump grinder it made quick work of it. Now I remove hard drive and memory cards smash them. I would never take it to some the says they destroy them if I done any online transactions.