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Scrub Data Before Getting Rid Of Computer

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By ROB PEGORARO, The Washington Post

Published: January 7, 2008

I just got a new computer, and now I need to dispose of the old one. What do I do?

Whether you donate or dispose of the machine, you first have to scrub it of your data, then restore its software to factory condition.

Because dragging files to the trash leaves traces behind, you need to use extra software to make them vanish. In Windows, use the free Eraser (heidi.ie/eraser) to cleanse the C drive's "Documents and Settings" folder.

On a Mac running recent releases of OS X, drag the contents of your home folder to the Trash, then go to the Finder menu and select "Secure Empty Trash." With older software, you'll have to erase the whole hard drive; go to support .apple.com and search for "107437" in the "Ask a Question" field to see how to "zero all data" on a disk.

Then you can reload the computer's original software. On a PC, check the manual for how to perform a system recovery, usually done by starting the computer off a special part of the hard drive. On a Mac, boot from the system CD and follow the installer's prompts.

If you can't sell the computer, donate it. Readers have suggested the National Cristina Foundation (cristina.org).

Machines unfit for further use should not be dumped in the trash because of the toxic metals they contain. But computer vendors such as Apple (apple.com /environment), Dell (dell.com/recycle) and Hewlett-Packard (hp.com/recycle) take back old hardware for safe disposal. You can also leave it at a local hazardous-waste facility (go to eiae.org).

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