Jump to content

Recommended Posts

I have an old dead laptop that I was thinking of flogging on ebay for parts. I've not used it in about 3 years since it died. Kept crashing, until one day it just wouldn't start at all - the start up page said operating system not found, and then the screen goes black.


But, it occurred to me that there may be info on there that I wouldn't want other people to be able to retrieve (not sure what exactly, more that I've heard you should do some kind of wipe before letting someone have your old laptop). What might be the risk?

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/28486-what-to-do-with-a-broken-laptop/
Share on other sites

Hi Rosie, the hard drive can be removed and plugged into another laptop and read like an external drive (I have the cables to do that). Then you can see if there's any files you want to keep before wiping the drive. It would also be worth running a virus scan on it too. If you problem is an OS corruption from a virus, that can sometimes find it and repair the OS (meaning your old laptop would boot up as normal).
One option would be to sell it minus the hard disk. Take it out and smash it with a hammer before disposing of it. Alternatively download this software http://www.dban.org/download burn it to a blank CD/DVD and boot the laptop with it. The software can the be used to obliterate the data on the drive completely rendering it irrecoverable.

I'd go for a much more satisfying option myself:


1 - Enter a light trance like state of meditation, visualise ALL the minutes-hours-days of frustration that machine cost you.


2 - Quietly raise yourself up onto your feet and SMASH THE SH*T OUT OF THE THING (with a sledgehammer)



3 - Have a Chamomile tea.

If you do not have your windows installation disk and cannot find one to borrow. Download and burn a Linux live CD,http://www.ubuntu.com/download

Boot off that disc, "mount" the hard drive to access files you want, copy to a flash drive.

If you have the windows disk, load the disk and click on the option "repair my pc" that will launch system recovery click on command prompt, when the box opens copy and paste this command...... bootrec.exe /fixmbr (if it is a broken master boot record)

if that fails use the same disc and re-install windows. good luck!


right-clicking

ed_pete Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> One option would be to sell it minus the hard disk. Take it out and smash it with a hammer

> before disposing of it. Alternatively download this software http://www.dban.org/download burn it

> to a blank CD/DVD and boot the laptop with it. The software can the be used to obliterate the data on

> the drive completely rendering it irrecoverable.


Seconded for DBAN. Otherwise, yes, rip the hard disk out and sell it without it. Destroy the disk with a hammer.

Try boot manager software or use a recovery disk, however to be safe if need data remove hd and connect to suitable computer to transfer data then use repair or restore. If is only 3 yrs old there is a good chance there is a recovery partition installed these are access by pressing one of the F. Keys during startup alternately pressing F2 or F12 to access boot options there is usually a recovery partition option to repar or wipe. If dont care about data then just choose clean install and data will be wipe for all but the most expert hacker. The F key combinations sometime very among different companies so just look up your laptop.

Anymore help just pm me if want i can just wipe drive for you have all the gear hardly takes anytime.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • I started this thread when the EDF was probably at its peak, a gentle prod in the ribs at some of the numerous threads/posters, be they pompous, argumentative, or downright wacko e.g. child abducting clowns, whilst using Camberwick Green/Trumpton pics to illustrate this parallel  universe. All threads take on a life of their own, but I would like to say that it was meant to be used in the spirit of a third-party commenting on events rather than someone using it on a personal level to 'get even'.  As you were...      
    • Hi,  Anyone selling any cushions or giving away for free? 2 or 4 please. Ideally any tone  of blue and not feather infill - yellow or grey also good. Thank you and have a good day    
    • Try Mind and St Christopher’s - they generally accept such items, if bagged. There is a large bin at the car park of The Plough but it’s often full (despite my calls to the number provided) and some (on here) have said the organisation has links to certain charities/groups that one may find troubling. (Please do your own research. I cast no aspersions.) 
    • However I don't understand how I could check if the SSD is detected without being able to see anything on the screen? Or how I could run any diagnostic tools without being able to see anything on the screen?
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...