Broken Pc

[Caran]

I know this should be in technology but you get a better response in CB.
Can't get our main pc on line, been off since before Christmas, been doing this for the last year. Today we have ordered a new one. We are going to scrap the old one, but are unsure what to destroy so all the info on it is wiped out. Can anyone help please.

[Barquentine]

I think you have to take out the hard disk (which may be in a rectangular case) - I think it looks like a small round CD type disk. If you remove it and shatter it I don't think anyone can piece it back together again. Do double check this answer though because I'm not certain if data is stored elsewhere too.

[Caran]

Thank you Barquentine.

[xstitcher]

When we've had a new PC our man has transferred all our stuff from the old one to the new one. I don't know if that leaves the old one empty.

[Fibonacci]

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2155347/how-to-guarantee-your-data-is-truly-deleted-before-recycling-old-pcs-and-drives.html

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/373351/five-ways-to-destroy-your-data

[Caran]

We can't get on line so cannot wipe or overwrite it. We will have to destroy the drive. Thank you for all your suggestions.

[Zacs-Master]

Take it out and whack it with a big hammer. Very satisfying.

[Caran]

I intend to Zacsmaster

[Tuvok]

Depending on your drive and new motherboard, you may be able to install it in the new computer.

Alternatively you can convert the drive to a external usb drive by buying a drive case and putting the drive in there.

[Postdog]

You say you can't get it online. Does it actually come on in its own right? If so you may have pictures or documents you might want to keep which could be backed up to an external drive.

[Caran]

The PC will come on, I can access my documents off line so I will have a go at saving them, also hopefully the photographs. It just won't connect with the router.

[hc4361]

Shame you're scrapping it for such a minor problem. Even if your wifi card has failed they are easy to replace or even a wifi dongle in the usb port would solve it if you don't want to open the case up.

Anyway, for around £10 you buy a usb caddy (sometimes called enclosure) that your old hard drive slots in to very easily, no screwdriver required, and it can then be as an external hard drive.

[FrogNog]

Why don't you try a new wireless card or something first.
It seems a bit upended to throw the whole thing out if it's working otherwise.

[dunnitall]

Don't know if it helps to know but we had trouble with our PC not connecting through router box and found out it was the box. Got a new one and all was fine. Don't know how old your box is but thought I'd throw my experience into the mix.

[Caran]

Dunnital our router seems to be okay with my iPad, laptop and OH's laptop. Only the main PC is affected. Spent quite a bit of money getting someone in to get it connected. Last two times, very embarassing, as soon as chappie sat in front of it, it decided to reconnect itself. We have already ordered another one tonight that will be delivered mon/Tuesday.

[Caran]

We don't have the technological knowledge to do much with it such as wireless card etc. we can cope with rebooting but not much more!

[FrogNog]

hc4361's idea of a caddy is nice.
I have my old hard drive installed alongside my new one on my computer and that sounds like the next best thing.

[Caran]

I really don't think we could get to grips with that.

[hc4361]

Caran, please try a usb wifi adapter on the pc before you give it the death sentence:

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

Or you can buy them PC World, Argos, Maplins etc.

It is easy to look in 'device manager' to see if the existing wifi card is faulty.
If you want, we can talk you through it, just let us know the operating system.