Getting rid of old computer; a few questions

[Free4Life11]

I had a crappy Compaq Desktop that died on me last April. In a nutshell, the hard drive failed. I didn't want to spend the money to fix it, so it's just been sitting around. I want to get rid of it so I am wondering where I could donate it to. I was also thinking of possibly listing it on Freecycle. I *did* remove the hard drive because I was concerned about what could be stored on there.

1. Is the hard drive the ONLY PLACE information is stored? Even though I removed it, I'd hate for someone to get the computer and be able to access information about me from another source.

2. How can I dispose of the hard drive -- I don't want someone to access is, so should I just throw it in the garbage? Can I do something to "disable" it?

3. Would a place like Goodwill or The Salvation Army accept a computer with no hard drive, keyboard, and mouse?

Thanks so much! I am trying to "clear out" some stuff and thank you for your help.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I find that the best way to dispose of a used computer is to attach it to a rope, put it on a boat, and use it for an anchor the next time you are out on the water. With any luck you should be able to reuse it many times

 

[KeepSwimming]

My brother in law is an IS guy and he advised us to NEVER give up an old computer. In fact he suggested beating it with a baseball bat (ala Office Space), soaking the pieces in a bucket of water for 2 days, and then burying the pieces in 20 or more different spots....Needless to say it's still sitting in our garage!

In this day and age I would be VERY careful about disposing of your computer.

 

[safetymom]

A computer without a hard drive probably won't sell at a Goodwill. Look to see if there are any computer recyclers in your area.

 

[aprilgail2]

I usually take the hard drive out,....smash it apart with a hammer, then use a screwdriver to mess up the motherboard and just put it out in the garbage can for the garbage men to pick up.
I picked up someones once they put out on the curb for the garbage men since I needed a couple parts for one I was making and I took it home, plugged it in and within minutes I was viewing their tax return, names, soical security numbers, banking info etc....idoits!! Luckily for them I am not someone that is going to do anything with that info and I damaged the hard drive enough where it was not fixable before I put the rest of the computer I didn't need back in the trash so one else could get it!!

 

[Cindy B]

We resell ours.

However, DH is an IT guy and knows how to delete info and where all info is hiding.

We usually keept the household ones until they become parts machines and then the parts are sold off piece by piece.

 

[NJBlackBerry]

Remove the hard drive; cut the wires off. Stab it a few time with a screwdriver. End of hard drive.

 

[Free4Life11]

Thanks...you know finals are coming up and I think this will be a fun way to get out my aggression

I'm thinking of just putting the actual computer on Freecycle. That was someone will just come and pick it up from me, hopefully.