Not a Notebook, but please help me get rid of this

kuplicks22 · 07-20-2004, 09:10 PM

Hey all, I've had an old Gateway G6 333c computer (monitor, keyboard, boston acoustic speakers, tower, and printer) sitting around the house for a while and Im looking to get rid of it. I don't know what to do with it, whether I should give it to Goodwill, trash it, or whatever. What should I do with it?
The specs on it to the best of my knowledge: 333mhz celeron chip, 128 MB RAM, 6.4 GB HD, an old CRT 17" monitor, a slow burner, and a ****ty printer that might not even work.
* I have old files on it that I'd want to destroy before I get rid of it, so that no one gets into my family's old files. So I don't know how to get rid of that stuff- take out the hard drive?

Run1track · 07-20-2004, 10:02 PM

I think that there are certain recycling rules you have to follow when "trashing" and old computer.

That old computer would probably be usable by someone who doesnt have one.

There are ways to completely wipe your harddrive clean and other people on these forums would be able to tell you more about it.

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Fujitsu S6210: 1.6Ghz PM ~ 768MB RAM ~ 60GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
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nobbie · 07-22-2004, 11:00 PM

If you're not hard up for cash, why not donate it to your local school? I know my kids' elementary school gladly accepts working hardware to offer the kids.

You'll be helping out our budget-starved educational system, get a little tax break, AND build up some good karma points.

Nobbie[

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rolsy · 07-23-2004, 06:24 PM

Understandably you want to remove personal files and sensitive data. The best way to do this would be to format the HDD and reinstall the OS. You didn't state what OS was currently installed but a machine of that spec. would probably be running Windows 98, or 2000 at best (just guessing) If you do reinstall either of these then you would have the headache of re-configuring it and installing all the device drivers for the new owner. If you are to be charitable and give it away to a needy organization or suchlike, you may not feel charitable enough to do all of this!! Ofcourse, you could just delete all sensitive data by way of deleting it if you are confident enough to do so!

kuplicks22 · 07-23-2004, 08:17 PM

I don't really know how to reformat a HD or know how to reinstall the OS (which is Windows 98). I donno how much money I could get for the system, but I would be fine giving it away to a school or charity. I just wanna get rid of this thing along having the assurance all my families personal files and old email stuff are deleted. Basically, whichever was is the easiest and useful way to get rid of it.
Thanks

rolsy · 07-24-2004, 06:32 PM

Well, what I would suggest in this instance is just delete all partitions on the HDD and then give it away. The benificiary of the new system would then have to install the OS.

To delete the partitions, use FDISK. You will need to create a "Windows start up disk" to do this. Go to control panel, then "Add/Remove programs" You will see a tab at the top of the window that says "create start up disk" (or something similar). The on screen instructions should be self explanatory from there.
Next, re-boot the computer with the start up disk inserted in the FDD. When it has boooted, choose "start without CD-support". Once at the A: prompt type FDISK. Again, the rest should be self explanatory.

Let me know how you get on.............