Hello Group, below is an email I received today directed to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Below that is my response. I'm forwarding it in case this fellow brings his computer in and so you'll be in the know since I'm unsure if I'll be in this weekend.
Later, sean ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Sean Burns <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Mar 27, 2007 5:03 PM Subject: Re: Donating a computer To: "Ritchey, Steven M." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> On 3/27/07, Ritchey, Steven M. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I would like to donate an old computer, including monitor, that is >functional except for the motherboard. But I want to guarantee the data on >the hard drive is entirely removed. Do you have any recommendations? > Hi Steven, What are the computer's specs? Currently we accept PIIIs and above (see http://bworks.org/byteworks/donate/wishlist.html). For monitors and printers we need a $5 donation for each item. The motherboard may not be an issue. Regarding the hard drive, we use the following instructions found on our wiki: http://bworksshop.pbwiki.com/Wiping%20a%20Harddrive We can wipe the hard drive and the technique we use involves the linux command 'shred' which will definitely wipe the data off the drive, then overwrite it with 0s which we confirm with the linux command 'od -bc'. However, saying that, we currently are not authorized to issue written certifications that your drive was wiped. That is, we can not legally guarantee the data on your drive was removed. You are more than welcome to follow the instructions on our wiki for wiping the drive yourself. Other methods include taking it to a commercial service that will guarantee the drive is wiped or removing the drive yourself and physically destroying it. Sometimes in computers there are parts, bays, etc, that hold the hard drive in its bay. Please keep those parts with the computer if you decide to destroy the drive physically. Otherwise it's very difficult for us to reuse a computer if we cannot securely mount the replacement drive in the case. If you are uncomfortable doing that and you want to keep the drive for yourself, you are welcome to bring the computer to the shop and we can remove the drive for you and give it to you while keeping the parts we need so we can install a new drive securely. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask. If you think the computer is salvageable, bring it to the shop on any Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and tell them what you want done with the drive if you want us to do the wiping. If you think the computer is not salvageable, you can take it to WITS, which is in the business of recycling computers and electronics: http://www.witsinc.org/ Unfortunately I don't think I'll be in the shop this Saturday so I will forward this email to the ByteWORKS mailing list so those who are in the shop will be in the know. Thanks, Sean Burns -- http://bworks.org/ ----- End forwarded message -----
