04-19-2012, 02:08 PM

As others have stated the disk you need to boot from is the "Disk Tools" disk and all you need to do is have it in the drive while the computer is booting. The floppy drive is the first boot device. If the computer cannot boot from the floppy it will kick it out or display a message on the screen.

If you are able to boot from the "Disk Tools" disk, the program you are looking for is either "Apple HD SC Setup" or "Drive Setup" depending on the version of your "Disk Tools" floppy.

With the computer booted up from the HD, does the "Disk Tools" floppy show up on the desktop when inserted?

04-19-2012, 04:04 PM

Okay, I figured it out. After I booted from the Disk Tools disk, I wasn't getting the Erase function because I hadn't clicked on the HD.

Erase done. Now, the HD shows an empty window when you open it. So, that's it, right? Or am I missing something?

Thanks to all.

04-19-2012, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by Marrk

Okay, I figured it out. After I booted from the Disk Tools disk, I wasn't getting the Erase function because I hadn't clicked on the HD.

Erase done. Now, the HD shows an empty window when you open it. So, that's it, right? Or am I missing something?

Thanks to all.

That is absolutely correct! The HD is now blank. Now you should be able to boot from your install disk (should be "Install Me First"), then insert the other disks as the system asks for them.

04-19-2012, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by Marrk

Okay, I figured it out. After I booted from the Disk Tools disk, I wasn't getting the Erase function because I hadn't clicked on the HD.

Erase done. Now, the HD shows an empty window when you open it. So, that's it, right? Or am I missing something?

If you clicked the "Erase" button after selecting the HD...then the HD should be "erased". But realize that what this does is actually just erases the file(s) that "map" where the files and folders are on the HD.

At this point...if some knowledgeable person worked on your HD...they could probably retrieve your files. The "Disk Tools" Apple supplied 20+ years ago aren't as sophisticated as Apple's Disk Utility application is today. To totally erase (secure erase) your files on that HD...you need a better application...and after 20+ years...you're probably not going to find one that's compatible with an LC III.

Thus the only sure way to erase the files are to:

- smash the HD with a sledge hammer
- pass the HD near a VERY strong magnet
- write a whole bunch of "garbage" data over the entire HD
- you could also simply remove the HD before giving away the computer

Sorry to make things complicated. More than likely no one will try to retrieve your files (if they're even important enough to worry about)...but I just wanted you to know.

- Nick

04-19-2012, 04:33 PM

If you just install the OS on the hard drive im sure that will stop 99.9% of people from retrieving your files. Additionally what could you really have on a computer that old thats probably still relevant?

As an added thought that .01% that can do anything would have to target your machine to retrieve the files. Unless you have a particularly interesting past I would say just re-install the OS and you'll be fine.

04-20-2012, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by Brunhild

If you just install the OS on the hard drive im sure that will stop 99.9% of people from retrieving your files. Additionally what could you really have on a computer that old thats probably still relevant?

As an added thought that .01% that can do anything would have to target your machine to retrieve the files. Unless you have a particularly interesting past I would say just re-install the OS and you'll be fine.

Social security numbers remain relevant. I can't afford to take even a 0.01% risk with identity theft.

All of the foregoing comments notwithstanding, I gather that there is no completely effective way to erase a hard drive and, therefore, no completely safe way to dispose of one, short of destroying it. This is a real pain in the a**, given that we all have computers.

04-20-2012, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by Marrk

Social security numbers remain relevant. I can't afford to take even a 0.01% risk with identity theft.

All of the foregoing comments notwithstanding, I gather that there is no completely effective way to erase a hard drive and, therefore, no completely safe way to dispose of one, short of destroying it. This is a real pain in the a**, given that we all have computers.

someone would have to go looking for it and even know where to find it amongst all the bs they find from recovering your hard drive. If you wiped the hard drive and reinstall the OS which is replacing at least that space with more info there are seriously .000000000000000000000000000000001% of people that could find something on your hdd of any value to them. Additionally they would have to target you through that hard drive. If you are donating the machine to somewhere they are going to constantly be adding and erasing layers of stuff to that hard drive until it eventually fails or gets tossed out.

You probably have a better change of winning the lottery and while exiting the 711 with your winning ticket getting struck by lightning while a 45 foot giant mechanical shark chews your arm off..

Im not saying to be stupid with your data but someone is going to have to care AND have the ability after you have done your due diligence.

That being said I have a hard drive shredder at my work . But I would never throw a whole computer away, take it to an electronics recycler so it doesnt end up in a landfill if thats your concern.

04-20-2012, 01:24 PM

You're safe. No one is going to recover your data. However, if you're really that paranoid about it, you could download Norton Utilites (Download Norton Utilities 2.0 - Macintosh Garden) and try to undelete the files yourself and see what you can recover. It also comes with Wipe Info, but it's been a number of years since I've used it, so I don't recall if it has an option to zero out your free space.

There are other utilities that will zero your free space, but I can't recall them at the moment.

04-20-2012, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Marrk

...I gather that there is no completely effective way to erase a hard drive and, therefore, no completely safe way to dispose of one, short of destroying it.

There are definitely ways to effectively & securely erase a hard drive.

The problems we're facing in this instance is we are dealing with an almost 20 year-old computer...which requires very old software...which may or may not still be obtainable.

Like I already mentioned in two previous posts:

1. This computer is only worth about $10-$15 bucks...so you shouldn't get all bent out of shape over the ability or inability to erase the HD (from a financial standpoint). You're not losing much $$$ if you don't want to sell this computer due to not being able to easily & securely erase the HD.
2. Remove the HD from the computer...and smash it with a sledgehammer.
3. You could simply fill the HD with a bunch of "garbage" data (fill the HD with unimportant info). This will overwrite anything currently on the HD.
4. Pass the HD near a very very strong magnet to erase (or jumble up) all data.

It's very possible that the program (Norton Utilities 2.0) "aftermac" suggested will be able to securely erase all data.

Good luck,

- Nick

04-20-2012, 02:18 PM

those have a SCSI hard drive in them though dont they?

04-20-2012, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by Brunhild

those have a SCSI hard drive in them though dont they?

Yes they do. I know what you're thinking:

- remove the HD from the LC III
- install it in another newer computer
- securely erase the HD
- install the now securely erased HD back into the LC III

A great idea! Unfortunately that SCSI interface makes things difficult. If there was an easy way to interface a SCSI HD with an IDE or SATA based computer...this would be easy!

- Nick

04-20-2012, 03:15 PM

yah the only way I wipe SCSIs is by hooking them up to some old piece of junk dell server I keep around just for that.

04-20-2012, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by Brunhild

yah the only way I wipe SCSIs is by hooking them up to some old piece of junk dell server I keep around just for that.

Hey...that's a great idea. I'm usually thinking "Macintosh"...but an older Windows computer capable of interfacing with a SCSI HD would certainly do the trick (assuming good HD erasure tools)...which shouldn't be too hard.

I recently picked up an cheap Powermac G4 with a SCSI card in it. This will make working with older Mac SCSI drives much easier.

- Nick

04-21-2012, 11:04 PM

Taking the hard drive out was easier than taking the computer out of the box. lol.

Thanks for all your help, guys!

04-21-2012, 11:19 PM

Good deal man!

- Nick