old HDD from computers

[kia cat]

we have a couple of old desktops taking up space. I'd like to know that before I dispose of them, there's nothing left on there and there's no files/pictures that might've been of use.
Someone suggested I get a powered HDD Caddy; if I'm just lifting the info off, then wiping it does it matter what sort I go for? and is 3.5 the standard or do I take the PC's apart first?

[boxtops]

I'd like to know too - we've always dismantled the hard drives out of old computers before we dispose of them, but we don't know what to do with the old hard drives then, I've got several sitting in the drawer upstairs.

[VHG]

All desktop computers use 3.5" disks.

However hard disks can have two types of connectors at the back.

The older type (say more than 5 or 6 years old) have IDE connectors.

Newer disks have SATA connectors.

You need to buy the right caddy for the right disks (SOME caddies may do both).

The connectors on an IDE are rather large and clunky, those on a SATA are small and delicate.

Here is a picture showing both (note the bottom SATA hard disk shows it having an old MOLEX power connector, but most SATA drives dont have this)

http://pc-level.com/w...ide-hard-drives-1.jpg

[VHG]

Also note that if the disks are quite a few years old they may be very small (data wise) say only 30Gb or whatever, so it may not be worth saving them.

After you have got the data off then smash them with a hammer and take them to your local skip.

Some charities do take old hardware to provide computers to people who dont have them, or send them to india etc, but to be honest with the risk of having personal data on the disk it is best to destroy them.

[Old_Geezer]

You may even be able to install them in your new PC. As usual manufacturers have not taken customers needs into consideration (presumably in the hope to sell you more stuff) and many new computers no longer provide a connection to the older IDE (aka PATA) drives: but one can get interfaces to swap IDE to SATA. I've seen small ones that go on the end of the drive but I was concerned it might make the drive stick out too much. I got a PCI board I plugged in to give me two IDE ports.

Of course how much you spend on caddies or whatever will depend on the size and condition of the disks, whether they are worth it.

[RATTER15]

Why not just take the hard drive out and smash it up if you are worried about it, then just put it in your bin.

[Old_Geezer]

Oh yes, and annoying isn't it. They state the diameter of the disk you can not see, so you measure a disk 3 15/16th" wide and are expected to know the disk inside is 3½". (Laptops tend to use 2½".)

[ChuckFickens]

If it's a fairly old(ish) 3.5 inch drive then hitting it with a hammer will do bugger all to destroy the data on it (unless you put it on the ground and use a sledge hammer!) older desktop drives have really tough cases.

To destroy the data you need to destroy the drive platters inside the case, on desktop drives I'll always drill a few holes through the middle of them before disposing of them.

[honey33]

i destroyed a hard drive today all i did was unscrew the hard drive case and got to the round silver disc part and hit with a hammer and folded it over etc and the rest just scrapped the chips of the board and put in bin, i assume that counts as been detroyed enough.hope so lol.was a old tower so cant even remember whats on it if anything of importance or security wise.

[kia cat]

it's not so much destroying it, more lifting the contents off. Wasn't sure what I'd be buying. But thanks all, anyway

[MarkRae]

> All desktop computers use 3.5" disks.

Apart from the ones which don't - like mine...

[ChuckFickens]

ssd?

[MarkRae]

Well, obviously! ;-)

[VHG]

>> All desktop computers use 3.5" disks.
>> Apart from the ones which don't - like mine...

Whenever I answer any techncial question I always think about the technical level of the person asking it.

In this case the answer I gave that "all desktop PCs use 3.5" disks" was good enough.

Any mention of SSDs, or anything else, would have probably made the answer far more complex than it needed to be. The PCs were old and not likely to be using SSDs.

I have seen so many computer problems where the answer was far too complex for the person asking the question. A non-technical person has a minor problem with Windows on their laptop and some idiot says "why not replace it with Linux".

I have been answering computer questions for about 40 years and think I have a good understanding of how much technical information to give in my reply.

Sorry for the rant.

[kia cat]

thanks all

[kia cat]

and VHG, nothing to apologise for