We hope you enjoy your visit.

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Resurrecting Old HD
Topic Started: Jun 22 2011, 11:55 AM (684 Views)
Nivexonix
Member Avatar
Love
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
I have an old desktop (probably from 2001-2003) that currently doesn't have a power supply. I want to get rid of it, since its just sitting around. But, I still have files on that HD that have personal information. (Otherwise, I'd take it to a recycling place this weekend.)

What would be the best option for trying to get those files off? Use another desktop's power supply? Or just try to buy a case and set it up as an external HD (temporarily, probably)?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ElementalAlchemist
Member Avatar


Are you trying to keep the files? If so, see if it still works and save them (mounting it as external should work).

If you're not trying to keep them (or even if you are), before you get rid of the computer you should destroy your HD. Sledgehammer. Fire. Whatever it takes to make sure the platters are completely unreadable to ensure that your data can not be read. If you don't, someone can still read them if they find your hard drive or something.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Lothlómendil
Member Avatar
Spam Queen
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
You could put the old HD into a newer computer as a slave drive and pull the files off that way.

When I wanted access to the files on my old, dead laptop I bought an external HD enclosure. I pulled the laptop HD out, put it in the enclosure and turned it into an independent external USB HD for backups. It worked perfectly.
Edited by Lothlómendil, Jun 23 2011, 02:37 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Nivexonix
Member Avatar
Love
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
See, I was gonna do that, Loth. I need to take it out and measure it though, to make sure I get the size right.

EA, by mounting it I presume you mean the same was Loth posted? Also, I'm guessing a magnet would work to mess up the drive?
Er, would there be a way to connect to the drive via wires, without buying an enclosure? It sounds a little extreme, but I'm up for trying it out. :D
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ElementalAlchemist
Member Avatar


Nivexonix
Jun 24 2011, 01:44 AM
EA, by mounting it I presume you mean the same was Loth posted? Also, I'm guessing a magnet would work to mess up the drive?
1. Pretty much.
2. Possibly, but to be sure, make sure it's broken.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Reid-ZNS
Member Avatar
C'est un pičge!
[ *  *  *  *  *  * ]
ElementalAlchemist
Jun 24 2011, 09:49 AM
Nivexonix
Jun 24 2011, 01:44 AM
EA, by mounting it I presume you mean the same was Loth posted? Also, I'm guessing a magnet would work to mess up the drive?
1. Pretty much.
2. Possibly, but to be sure, make sure it's broken.
It will obliterate it, yes, if it is strong enough. If you're going the magnet route, use a neodymium magnet.
Really, I just suggest a sledgehammer or some other similar device -- they're much safer and much more cost effective than using magnets, and you can be sure that your data is safe as opposed to the magnetic route, where you're not quite sure if it works (though, trust me, it does).
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Technology Chat · Next Topic »
Add Reply