If you own an old computer, you may be looking for the best way to destroy it or get rid of it so that the information it contains doesn't fall into the hands of other people. The method you use to destroy an old computer depends on what you want to do with it. This article explains how to treat a computer based on its future destiny: to be recycled, given away or simply destroyed.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Destroy a Computer
Step 1. Put on all necessary protective gear
While you will take all safety precautions to limit the number of fragments that can be scattered during the demolition of your computer, you will need to wear all necessary protective gear to avoid injury. Wear a long-sleeved T-shirt and pants so that no part of your body is exposed to the action of potentially hazardous materials.
Step 2. Lay an old towel or blanket on the ground
Choose a work surface that is very sturdy and durable and can be damaged without any consequences, then spread a blanket or towel over it. For example, you can choose the garage floor or your parking space on the street or in the yard. At the end of the job, it is very likely that you will have to throw away the blanket or towel as well, so choose an old one that you are not particularly attached to.
- The thicker the fabric, the better the final result. Ideally, you should choose a fabric that will not be damaged when it comes into contact with fragments of glass, metal and other materials.
- You can also use a thick wool or cotton bedspread, but avoid linen.
Step 3. Get a mason's mallet
After preparing the work area, take a sledgehammer. It is a large, heavy-headed, long-handled hammer that will allow you to destroy all the complex components of your computer easily, quickly and with little effort.
This type of club is sold in different sizes based on size and weight. If you are concerned about having to handle a 5-10kg sledgehammer, you can choose to use a smaller tool weighing 2-3kg. Contact your trusted hardware store and get advice from experienced staff
Step 4. Place the computer in the center of the blanket or towel
Place it exactly in the center of the work area you set up with the towel, blanket or bedspread. Try to place it as much as possible in the center so that it is away from the edges of the fabric. In this way, all the fragments that are created during the demolition will not be able to escape.
Step 5. Cover the computer using a second blanket
Use another blanket or towel to cover the device. Make sure the edges of the two items of laundry are aligned as closely as possible. Again, choose an old or unused blanket or towel, as you will need to throw it away after the job is done.
If you have two blankets, one thin and one thicker, use the latter to cover the computer. Thin fabric could break very easily if struck directly with a sledgehammer or sledgehammer
Step 6. Hit the computer with the club through the blanket until you have cut it into small pieces
This is where the fun part of the demolition process begins. Start hitting the device hard through the blanket using the club. Try to hit all parts of the computer without focusing on one spot. During this phase, remember to protect your arms, legs and face. Stop your destructive rampage only when the computer has not been reduced to small pieces.
Step 7. Do some cleaning
When you have completely destroyed the computer, be sure to throw out all the pieces in the correct way. For example, batteries should never be thrown in the garbage can, but should be disposed of according to the procedures in place in the area where you live. Electronic waste must also be disposed of with the same care and attention to avoid polluting the environment.
Most of the websites of Italian municipalities provide information on how to properly dispose of this type of special waste. If you have any doubts, you can directly contact the company that manages the collection and disposal of waste in your city (for example, Amsa, in the case of Milan) for more information on how to properly dispose of electronic waste
Method 2 of 3: Destroy a Hard Drive
Step 1. Format your computer hard drive to erase all information it contains
Read this article to find out how to format a hard drive. Transfer the files you want to keep to an external hard drive or USB stick, then format your computer hard drive or overwrite the data it contains.
- The simplest way to erase data on a hard drive is to copy the information you want to keep and then format it. This is a process that you can safely perform on your own without requiring outside help. However, be aware that this is not the safest way to delete data from a memory drive.
- To format a hard drive, go to your computer settings, then choose the "Erase" or "Format" option for the drive you want to format.
- If you want to format a hard drive securely, for example by overwriting the data it contains, you will usually have to go to a professional, which means you have to incur additional costs for the service. If the computer in question contains sensitive personal or financial information, this option is the safest option.
Step 2. Remove the hard drive from the computer
After formatting it to the best of your ability, remove the case panel to gain access to the internal components of the device. Uninstall the hard drive, including the metal frame it normally fits into.
- Most laptop housings are attached with small screws. To remove the bottom panel from the rest of the computer you will need to unscrew the fixing screws.
- To locate the hard drive, look for a small item that has a circular shape similar to that of a CD.
Step 3. Drill the hard drive using a drill
Even if your computer's memory drive has been formatted, you need to be sure that no one can recover the data it contained. Use a drill with any size bit to drill through the hard drive at least one spot on its surface. As a precaution, drill several holes all over the disc.
Step 4. Dispose of the hard drive properly
Collect all the pieces of the memory unit in a special container, then dispose of it properly following the directions of the municipality where you live. If you have any doubts or if you don't know how to dispose of electronic waste, contact your nearest electronics store to inquire about it.
Method 3 of 3: Recycle a Computer
Step 1. Format the hard drive
This is a very important step if you have chosen to sell or give away the computer or some of its internal parts. Format it yourself or contact a professional to prevent a stranger from gaining possession of your personal and sensitive information.
- Most computer stores that offer repair service are also capable of formatting hard drives safely and reliably.
- For more information on how to effectively format a hard drive, you can also contact your computer manufacturer or have an experienced technician do it for you.
Step 2. Uninstall the computer battery
If you have chosen to recycle the computer in its entirety rather than individual components, stop at this point and rely on the instructions of the institution or organization you want to contact to donate it. Most recycling programs involve managing laptop batteries separately, so remove it from your computer and dispose of it properly to ease the burden of the organization or agency you are donating the device to.
Step 3. Remove all keyboard keys
Your computer keys can be used as spare parts for other damaged keyboards or to craft other items. Regardless of your intentions, removing the keys from your computer will allow you to sell them, give them away, or reuse them for other purposes.
Step 4. Disassemble the bottom panel of the laptop to separate it from the rest of the case
In order to disassemble all the internal components of the computer, you will first need to remove the lower case panel. This way you will have access to all parts of the device, including the hard drive.
Step 5. Remove the motherboard and other peripherals
Computers are made up of several printed circuits. In some cases there is a single large motherboard, while in others there are multiple boards connected together. If your computer is working properly and in good condition, you can keep all of these electronic components for sale or as a gift so they can be used to repair broken computers.
Step 6. Remove the hard drive from the computer
Even if you have already formatted your computer's main storage drive, to make sure your personal and sensitive information is safe, uninstall the hard drive from the device. You can choose to keep it with your important personal documents or to physically destroy it.
Step 7. Keep the working parts for reloading or reuse
All working parts of the computer can be collected and put aside for recycling. You can also choose to reuse them yourself or donate them to someone who repairs or uses computers for work.
- To find out what to do, refer to the recycling center for these materials in the area where you live.
- If you've chosen to give your old computer components a second life, you can try selling them separately to raise some cash.
Advice
- Gifting or recycling your computer is the best option for both your wallet and the environment.
- If you don't have a mason's sledgehammer, you can use an ordinary hammer. In this case you will simply have to apply more force to achieve the same result.
- Before giving away or recycling your computer, make sure you have deleted all personal, sensitive and important information it contains.
- If you do not need to completely dismantle your computer or you want to do it quickly and quickly, delete the system folders essential for the proper functioning of the computer, such as the "system32" or "catroot" directory, then restart the device.
Warnings
- Computers should not be thrown into the bin as if they were ordinary garbage. Devices of this type must be dismantled and disposed of with care, so contact the relevant municipality office to request the information necessary to dispose of your computer properly.
- The high voltage anode inside the old cathode ray tube monitors maintains the electrical charge over time even when the device is turned off and disconnected from the mains. If you know how to drain the anode, do so before physically destroying the monitor with a hammer. Otherwise, do not touch any part of the monitor or computer after destroying it.
