I've had my Mac 7 months... now I want to destroy my Dell

CuriousCat · CuriousCat #1 (**permalink**)

02-24-2008, 12:15 AM

Hi all. I love my MBP and would never think of going back to the dell piece of junk I once had. I have a question, though. I no longer use my dell laptop, but it has some important info on it (even though it doesn't work well at all....is extremely slow and crappy). I don't really have plans to sell it, and I don't want to just 'throw it away' because I fear someone could retrieve information on it if they really wanted to. I have absolutely no use for the computer. What do I do with it? Destroy it? How would I delete the files on it? or clean sweep the hard drive?

The Skeptik · The Skeptik #2 (**permalink**)

02-24-2008, 12:20 AM

you should remove the hard drive and kickbox it.

CuriousCat · CuriousCat #3 (**permalink**)

02-24-2008, 12:22 AM

that's it? only the hard drive? I am not very computer savvy... haha

srmorris2 · srmorris2 #4 (**permalink**)

02-24-2008, 12:23 AM

I agree with skeptik and just destroy it. just make sure to get the information you need out of it first.

CuriousCat · CuriousCat #5 (**permalink**)

02-24-2008, 12:25 AM

ok. this will be fun!

The Skeptik · The Skeptik #6 (**permalink**)

02-24-2008, 12:39 AM

keep the ram. you never know when that will come in handy.

kfordham281 · kfordham281 #7 (**permalink**)

02-24-2008, 12:48 AM

Try Kill Disk to erase your HDD.

Choco · Choco #8 (**permalink**)

02-24-2008, 01:38 AM

try selling it, make a few bucks.

dtravis7 · dtravis7 #9 (**permalink**)

02-24-2008, 01:48 AM

What model Dell Laptop is it? Might be worth selling. $$$ is $$$ after all!

JohnTheMacGeek · JohnTheMacGeek #10 (**permalink**)

02-24-2008, 05:52 AM

I'd reformat the drive and see if I couldn't sell it. Chances are you're going to sell that old, slow machine to someone who doesn't know how nor is interested in attempting to retrieve that sensitive information.

bobtomay · bobtomay #11 (**permalink**)

02-24-2008, 06:16 AM

There are always people around that could use a computer, but just can't afford one. Ask around. I don't have the room nor the desire to keep all my old systems, so I have always been able to find someone deserving of them. While old and dead to me, it's still new and exciting to someone.

You can use a program to write over your old data if it's that sensitive. Most of mine never had anything on them that I was really worried about. I just blow it away. Re-partition, re-format and re-install the OS. Then I'll spend a little time installing the must have software on it - you know Adobe (or Fox-it reader), flash, Open Office....

Someone will get a lot of enjoyment out of something that is basically trash to you.

calenerd · calenerd #12 (**permalink**)

02-24-2008, 06:36 AM

Destroying it would be a waste. I'd rather you give it free/sell it cheaply to someone who needs that Dell for work and stuff.

dalison · dalison #13 (**permalink**)

02-24-2008, 08:39 AM

I've taken old systems to Goodwill. They are usually quite happy to take them and it's a tax write off for the current value of the machine if you live in the US.

ViriiGuy · ViriiGuy #14 (**permalink**)

02-24-2008, 09:06 AM

Do like I do, I run a zero fill utility on the hard drives.. it is a much hardier formatting tool, do a google search for zero fill boot disk.. Then I stock pile the old computers until I find someone that needs it. The area I live in is fairly rural and poor, so I give out as many computers and laptops as I can to school kids and families trying to get on their feet. Or mail it to me and I will make sure a family in need gets it.

Randy

elma · elma #15 (**permalink**)

02-24-2008, 09:21 AM

I know how you feel, but what a waste.

Either remove the HD replace it and sell on ebay.
You can then make the old HD into an external one by buying a case for it.

Give it to someone you trust with you're files. Mine went to my mother.

Or remove the HD and give it to a needy cause, but they have to replace the HD themselves.

Don't just trash it.

I really do know how you feel though, by the time I bought my Mac I'd begun to punch my desktop and my laptop in frustration.
They have both been rehomed with persons who appreciate them now though and I'm happy about that.

srmorris2 #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 23, 2008 Posts: 132 Mac Specs: MacBook 2.2 Ghz 2GB Ram 120 GB HD	02-24-2008, 12:23 AM I agree with skeptik and just destroy it. just make sure to get the information you need out of it first. -Scuba Steve-
	QUOTE Thanks

kfordham281 #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 19, 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 350 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.2Ghz C2D 4GB RAM 120GB HDD	02-24-2008, 12:48 AM Try Kill Disk to erase your HDD. Apple Mac HQ - Apple/Mac News, Reviews, and More
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dtravis7 #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 04, 2005 Location: Modesto, Ca. Posts: 25,806 Mac Specs: iMac C2D Late 2007 20" with 10.8.3, Macbook Santa Rosa 4GB Ram OSX 10.8.3	02-24-2008, 01:48 AM What model Dell Laptop is it? Might be worth selling. $$$ is $$$ after all! ...Dennis Mac-Forums Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #11 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,809 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	02-24-2008, 06:16 AM There are always people around that could use a computer, but just can't afford one. Ask around. I don't have the room nor the desire to keep all my old systems, so I have always been able to find someone deserving of them. While old and dead to me, it's still new and exciting to someone. You can use a program to write over your old data if it's that sensitive. Most of mine never had anything on them that I was really worried about. I just blow it away. Re-partition, re-format and re-install the OS. Then I'll spend a little time installing the must have software on it - you know Adobe (or Fox-it reader), flash, Open Office.... Someone will get a lot of enjoyment out of something that is basically trash to you. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month Last edited by bobtomay; 02-24-2008 at 06:41 AM.
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calenerd #12 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 30, 2007 Location: Sunny ol' Singapore Posts: 309 Mac Specs: 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 20" iMac	02-24-2008, 06:36 AM Destroying it would be a waste. I'd rather you give it free/sell it cheaply to someone who needs that Dell for work and stuff. The dark is passion, the light is logic.
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CuriousCat #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 02, 2007 Posts: 36	02-24-2008, 12:15 AM Hi all. I love my MBP and would never think of going back to the dell piece of junk I once had. I have a question, though. I no longer use my dell laptop, but it has some important info on it (even though it doesn't work well at all....is extremely slow and crappy). I don't really have plans to sell it, and I don't want to just 'throw it away' because I fear someone could retrieve information on it if they really wanted to. I have absolutely no use for the computer. What do I do with it? Destroy it? How would I delete the files on it? or clean sweep the hard drive?
	QUOTE Thanks

The Skeptik #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 20, 2008 Posts: 18	02-24-2008, 12:20 AM you should remove the hard drive and kickbox it.
	QUOTE Thanks

CuriousCat #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 02, 2007 Posts: 36	02-24-2008, 12:25 AM ok. this will be fun!
	QUOTE Thanks

The Skeptik #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 20, 2008 Posts: 18	02-24-2008, 12:39 AM keep the ram. you never know when that will come in handy.
	QUOTE Thanks

Choco #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 17, 2008 Location: California Posts: 7 Mac Specs: macbook pro 2.2ghz dual core, 8600gt 128mb, 120gig hd, 2 gig ram	02-24-2008, 01:38 AM try selling it, make a few bucks.
	QUOTE Thanks

JohnTheMacGeek #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 05, 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 874 Mac Specs: Mid 2009 MacBook Pro  Mid 2007 iMac  4G iPod Touch  iPhone 4S  iPad	02-24-2008, 05:52 AM I'd reformat the drive and see if I couldn't sell it. Chances are you're going to sell that old, slow machine to someone who doesn't know how nor is interested in attempting to retrieve that sensitive information.
	QUOTE Thanks

dalison #13 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 16, 2008 Posts: 207 Mac Specs: Mac Pro 8 core 2.8Ghz, 12GB RAM, 2.3TB HD; MacBook Pro 2.4Ghz, 4GB RAM, 200GB HD	02-24-2008, 08:39 AM I've taken old systems to Goodwill. They are usually quite happy to take them and it's a tax write off for the current value of the machine if you live in the US. --David My blog about my move from Windows to Mac: www.davidalison.com
	QUOTE Thanks

ViriiGuy #14 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 15, 2008 Location: Knoxville Tn. Posts: 173 Mac Specs: 15" MacBook Pro \| 2.8Ghz C2D \| 4 Gigs Ram \| 512 Meg 9600 GT \| 320 Gig Hdd	02-24-2008, 09:06 AM Do like I do, I run a zero fill utility on the hard drives.. it is a much hardier formatting tool, do a google search for zero fill boot disk.. Then I stock pile the old computers until I find someone that needs it. The area I live in is fairly rural and poor, so I give out as many computers and laptops as I can to school kids and families trying to get on their feet. Or mail it to me and I will make sure a family in need gets it. Randy
	QUOTE Thanks

elma #15 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 24, 2008 Location: Wales UK Posts: 82 Mac Specs: iMac G4 1.25Ghz Powerbook G4 1.67	02-24-2008, 09:21 AM I know how you feel, but what a waste. Either remove the HD replace it and sell on ebay. You can then make the old HD into an external one by buying a case for it. Give it to someone you trust with you're files. Mine went to my mother. Or remove the HD and give it to a needy cause, but they have to replace the HD themselves. Don't just trash it. I really do know how you feel though, by the time I bought my Mac I'd begun to punch my desktop and my laptop in frustration. They have both been rehomed with persons who appreciate them now though and I'm happy about that.
	QUOTE Thanks

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