Wipe/Clean Notebooks and Desktops
Mar 14, 2021 | 8:49 am
#16
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Virginia
Posts: 110
Mar 14, 2021 | 8:10 pm
#17
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,739
The other consideration (and this might be outdated information as it has been a while since I've used it and never on an SSD) is it's effect on the lifespan of an SSD, especially if you go for the full on 25 pass wipes (but that's true of any data wiper). Also considering it hasn't been updated in years... there are better ways of doing it.
Mar 19, 2021 | 9:25 am
#18
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,269
I'm often in one of three major metropolitan areas and have attempted to donate similar machines to a good cause. Unfortunately, most orgs don't want the machines b/c of the hassle of working with them and them being "different" from other machines which they get/use in bulk. Sadly, I'm left to remove and physically destroy the drives and recycle all of it. For me, the only way to be sure is destruction of the drives.
Mar 20, 2021 | 1:17 am
#19
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,540
I'm often in one of three major metropolitan areas and have attempted to donate similar machines to a good cause. Unfortunately, most orgs don't want the machines b/c of the hassle of working with them and them being "different" from other machines which they get/use in bulk. Sadly, I'm left to remove and physically destroy the drives and recycle all of it. For me, the only way to be sure is destruction of the drives.
Mar 20, 2021 | 2:39 am
#20
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,739
Have you checked more recently? There was a large need for used hardware around last fall and some schools are still operating remotely. They might need more laptops, tablets, or chrome books for incoming students if they're operating in hybrid models. Donations in my area could be made to libraries which partnered with companies or volunteers to re-image everything. The libraries also worked with the city to provide hotspots and extend wifi into more areas of the parking lot/exterior for those without stable home internet.
Mar 20, 2021 | 11:12 pm
#21
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: PDX
Programs: Nexus, NoLoyalty
Posts: 373
Goodwill is NOT a good option for this. I have, multiple times, found computers at Goodwill with all their data intact.
If you are near a freegeek location, that's a good choice. They take data security / privacy very seriously.
If you are near a freegeek location, that's a good choice. They take data security / privacy very seriously.
Mar 21, 2021 | 4:05 am
#22
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,739
I can't speak to Freegeek, but I must say, the only person you can hold responsible for your data is you. If you don't wipe it yourself and leave it to others, invariably someone will miss something. Others can help you, but it's your responsibility to secure your data.
Mar 24, 2021 | 12:47 am
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
If these are older than (say) 5 years most of the data is "stale"--probably a simple pass or two of a drive erase utility should be sufficient.
Another option is to pull the drives and use them externally (adding a drive enclosure) for back-up purposes.
About 5 years ago my pc was "scammed": "we're from Microsoft and we detected 'bad files' on your computer" the scammers got onto to my computer and "showed me bad stuff", I detected a scam and wanted them off my system, they "sysgened" my system, since the computer was getting flaky I pulled the drive backed it up to a new computer...in 5 years I've never needed to access any of the backed up dats.
Another option is to pull the drives and use them externally (adding a drive enclosure) for back-up purposes.
About 5 years ago my pc was "scammed": "we're from Microsoft and we detected 'bad files' on your computer" the scammers got onto to my computer and "showed me bad stuff", I detected a scam and wanted them off my system, they "sysgened" my system, since the computer was getting flaky I pulled the drive backed it up to a new computer...in 5 years I've never needed to access any of the backed up dats.