| Author | Message | ||
     Oldstone Citizen Username: Rogers4317 Post Number: 895 Registered: 6-2004 |
I have a laptop that i want to, i don't know, throw away or something. i just want a new one. what do i do to the hard drive to clear it of everything i ever had on it, assuming i had backed up what i wanted? is stuff that's been deleted out of the computer? does the trash go through the wires to space (the internet) ? these are probably really stupid questions but i haven't had this lesson yet. help ! | ||
| Bailey Citizen Username: Baileymac Post Number: 438 Registered: 3-2005 |
Maybe a low level format would be sufficient, a sledge hammer would pretty much guarantee data won't be recovered. DriveWasher says it will do it, costs 22.95 http://www.meritline.com/buy-cheap-computer-software-on-line-drive-washer-2005-s tompsoft.html | ||
| daylaborer Citizen Username: Upondaroof  Post Number: 909 Registered: 4-2003  |
Throw it my way. I'll even come to you and wipe the drive. Post the specs. | ||
| Monster© Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 4606 Registered: 7-2002  |
you can use Eraser to wipe it, wipe it good, http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/default.php if you don't throw it daylaborer's way, throw it mine. | ||
| daylaborer Citizen Username: Upondaroof Post Number: 910 Registered: 4-2003 |
Hey, watch it there bud! I saw it first!!  | ||
| Monster© Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 4609 Registered: 7-2002 |
 | ||
| Bailey Citizen Username: Baileymac Post Number: 439 Registered: 3-2005 |
um.. *I* replied first! | ||
| Monster© Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 4613 Registered: 7-2002 |
that's correct, but Cleaner is free... | ||
| daylaborer Citizen Username: Upondaroof Post Number: 912 Registered: 4-2003 |
Yaar, but free is not free-er than Cap'n daylaborer sailin' in to yer port, on yer schedule with his bag of magic tricks, matey! Into 1's & 0's he'll be turnin' yer most virtual intimate information says I and then back to sea he goes with his reward.... yer old laptop. | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 10594 Registered: 4-1997  |
My time-saving method is to remove the HD and smack it a dozen times with a very large crowbar. | ||
| Oldstone Citizen Username: Rogers4317 Post Number: 898 Registered: 6-2004 |
LOL, you guys are funny. thanks for the tips. if i actually do just "throw" it away, i will contact one of you (?). btw, it might be a undesireable...it's a white macbook. | ||
| Monster© Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 4618 Registered: 7-2002 |
sold and it's easy to wipe with the built in Disk Utility app | ||
| Oldstone Citizen Username: Rogers4317 Post Number: 899 Registered: 6-2004 |
disk utility app...what dat? | ||
| Monster© Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 4619 Registered: 7-2002 |
boot from the install CD, after the iBook boots choose the installer menu on the top left, then choose Disk Utility, select the hard drive and choose the erase menu on the right. Choose security options, you will be given a choice of several secure erase options. Here is the Apple page on it, http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107437 If you have OS 9 only, Boot off System Software CD (included with the Mac) Find "Drive Setup" application, usually in "Utilities" folder Under "Initialization Options" select "Zero out all data" Select the hard drive you wish to initialize and then click "initialize". If you don't have those CD's, I do. You can also use a Norton Utilities disk to wipe the drive, TechTool, and other utilities too. | ||
| Oldstone Citizen Username: Rogers4317 Post Number: 901 Registered: 6-2004 |
hey thanks monster, that's great. jesus, i feel like dorothy and the ruby red slippers...my laptop had the magic all along...there's no place like MOL, there's no place like MOL...LOL. | ||
| Monster© Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 4627 Registered: 7-2002 |
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| Bailey Citizen Username: Baileymac Post Number: 440 Registered: 3-2005 |
Now *that's* funny! There are lots of us Mac people here on MOL.. I think Dave posted once that Mac users were around 8 percent of the registered users here. If you decide to get rid of it, I'm sure you'll have many takers, my son would love to replace his broken iBook. Anyway, glad you figured it out! | ||
| Monster© Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 4630 Registered: 7-2002 |
Bailey called it first. Bailey, what's broken with your sons iBook? | ||
| Flying_char Citizen Username: Flying_char Post Number: 264 Registered: 8-2005  |
is an ibook and notebook the same as a laptop computer? I don't think I will ever get a laptop, it is so complicated | ||
| Bailey Citizen Username: Baileymac Post Number: 441 Registered: 3-2005 |
Laptops complicated? You open them and they turn on, you close them and they turn off. Not too hard. Monster, he tried to replace the hard drive with a larger capacity drive, (not an easy task in an iBook), and he was successful, but it stopped working shortly after. It was still under AppleCare's warrantee, but he thought he'd voided that by doing what he did, and figured Apple would charge a lot to fix it. He'd rather not invest a lot of money to repair it, and wait for an updated model, which of course is the MacBook. He's not a fan of the 13" screen however, and prefers the MacBook Pro 15", but he can't afford that yet. | ||
| Oldstone Citizen Username: Rogers4317 Post Number: 906 Registered: 6-2004 |
ok, is this the consensus then, that bailey is first in line for my 14" macbook? LOL jeez, now i'm feeling under pressure to buy a new computer ! (note to self, gee, isn't it nice in the technology and internet topics section...people are friendly and helpful as if they like each other.) | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 15457 Registered: 1-2003  |
Why not help? It's good for everyone. Flying_char, laptops are not more complicated than desktops. There's a bit to learn, but you can get along while learning incrementally, as with most things in life. Notebook computer is the new word for laptop computer because they can no longer recommend keeping it on your lap, with the heat and all that. An ibook is a model of a notebook that Apple made until recently. | ||
| Monster© Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 4636 Registered: 7-2002 |
Bailey, It sounds like one of the cables to the HD wasn't seated properly and came loose. Have you tried booting it with a CD or an external drive? Since the warranty is already voided, you may as well open it again to take a look. I'll be cracking an older one open here soon to replace a broken hinge (have to replace the entire LCD bezel assembly for that), upgrade the HD, and perhaps take off all of the white paint from the inside and paint it black or something, weeee.... I'll be emailing you if I need any parts.... | ||
| Bailey Citizen Username: Baileymac Post Number: 444 Registered: 3-2005 |
I have to replace a hinge on my PowerBook G4. That was actually the impetus in my decision to buy my MacBook Pro, I didn't want to be without a computer for whatever time it took to replace the hinge. I've read how to replace it, sounds like a pain in the neck, but I should be able to manage it. I replaced the optical drive in that machine last year, challenging yet rewarding. I don't know if my son tried to boot from a CD, that's a good thought. My guess is he tried, but I'll ask him. He's away this weekend. Oldstone, um, no pressure, but if you would like a ride to the Short Hills Mall, I'll be happy to drive. So, what time is good for you??? :-) I like the technology & internet section too, some great information available here, several very helpfull and knowledgeable people offer help. Not a not of fighting unless some of us Mac fanatics get out of control with PC people. (OK, it's usually the other way around). | ||
| Monster© Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 4638 Registered: 7-2002 |
 your lucky, the powerbook doesn't have as many screws as the ibook. | ||
| Eponymous Citizen Username: Eponymous Post Number: 226 Registered: 6-2004 |
"Laptops" were never cool enough for laps, especially in the summer. Bad name from the get-go. (Oh, and I'll take the iBook too. ;-) |
