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old computer
okay so i had a sony windows 98 computer and now i have a new one.. but my mom was planning on putting it outside so someone could take it or something, so if someone were to take it would they be able to see all my documents on my old computer? (the sony windows 98 one)
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Maybe give some free advice about: Computers?
They could technically view all of your documents, although if the computer is broken chances are they will wipe the hard drive before using it. However just to be safe you can press F10 to go into setup, and format the hard drive. This will completely wipe all data.
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Hello there,
It is unwise to set a computer out for anyone to take until you have completely wiped the data from the drive.
You would be astonished at what a person can pull off a computer that you don't think is workable anymore. ;-)
Now, let me ask you this: How old (in years) is the computer? Just because it has Windows 98 on it doesn't mean it was made in 98.
Some companies still sold 98 on their new machines all the way through 2003 because many popular games at the time would not run under later versions of windows.
Rather than just setting it out you could donate it to:
The local library.
Local school.
A computer club.
A local shop that may want it for parts.
... or some nerdy kid you know who would want to fix it up.
If you want, you could also sell it on eBay.
If you are determined to give it away, an ad in a local free classifieds paper under the "Free for Asking" category would definitely get it out of your hands.
Either way, you are going to want to wipe the data off the disk.
"How do I delete the data off my hard drive permanently?" you ask...
There is a program called KillDisk, that has a free version capable of wiping the data off the hard drive. You can find that here:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
... the option: "Download Bootable Disk Creator for Free version of KillDisk" is the one you probably want assuming both computers have a floppy, or you can still use the old one enough to get on-line and download the floppy version.
Wiping takes time... Depending on the size of the drive, it will take from 1 to several hours.
Just boot from the floppy (or CD) you made from the site above, and let it run.
When you are done, your personal info will be safely removed.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
Remember, that computer has value to someone, even if you don't want it anymore. No matter what, don't throw it away.
DN.
P.S. Make sure you get everything you want to save off the disk before you run killdisk on it. ;-)
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yup. If you're hard-drive's still in itit'll still have all your information logged even if you've deleted it the files themselves. you could always just put out the monitor/keyboard etc and destroy the actual computer box bit.
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Yes. Even information you think you've deleted can be accessed by someone who's really good at computers and knows what they're doing. I think it'd be best to sell it or give it someone you know rather than let a random stranger take it. Even if it is broken you could still probably get a little money for it.
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I had the same deal with my computer. I had the old desk top I used in college and then bought a laptop. I wanted to launch my old 'puter off the roof of my flat, but it is against my cities ordiance and blah..blah..blah.
Don't set it out. Make sure you nuke it first. If you delete the hard drive, then you can reload all of the programs back on it and sell it. Garage sale, ebay, the bargain bin section of your local newpaper, get some money for it.
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^They all suck.^ ;)
Like he said, the only way to be sure that they can't see your files is to remove the hard drive itself. I wouldn't be to worried about it, unless you've got a lot of warez or other illegal material on there, nobody will care.
If you worried about them getting a hold of credit card numbers or other private/banking info then you should either use a program such as DBAN <--google it. Or simply destroy the drive.
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Find out how to take the hard drive out of it or get someone else to. Then no one will be able to see your documents. =]
-GD
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yea theyll see it. just delete all of them, or put them onto your new computer
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