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This article was co-written by Spike Baron. Spike Baron is the owner of Spike’s Computer Repair. With more than 25 years of experience in the technology industry, his business specializes in desktop and Mac repair, used computer sales, virus removal, data recovery, software upgrades, and more. Hardware. He has a CompTIA A+ certification and is a Microsoft solutions expert.
This article has been viewed 2,413 times.
Whether we want to upgrade a computer, a completely broken laptop or lying in a dusty closet, there will come a time when we need to deal with this device. If the laptop has been with you for a while, you’ll probably want to keep some valuable data on your hard drive or simply keep it out of the hands of others. By wiping the hard drive and applying some safe ways to handle the laptop, you can rest assured about this problem.
Steps
Delete data and files
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Back up any data you want to keep. All data remaining on the hard drive when the laptop is disposed of will be lost forever if you do not make a backup. Take an hour or two to check your computer for any files you need to save. [1] X Research Resources Here are a few ways to back up your data:
- Buy an external hard drive to copy data. This device will connect to a USB port on your computer and allow you to copy any data that needs to be kept. If you want to transfer data to a new computer, simply plug in the hard drive and proceed to copy the files.
- Back up files online using a service like Google Drive, iCloud, or Dropbox. All of these services have online storage options with plenty of storage allowing users to save most important files. However, if you have a lot of data to back up, there may be a fee.
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Deauthorize all registered programs. Many programs limit the number of computers that will be installed with a single license. Check out Microsoft Office, iTunes, Adobe Creative Suite, and similar options to deauthorize these programs on older laptops. [2] X Research Source
- To deauthorize a computer on iTunes, you need to click “Account” in the top bar and select “Deauthorize This Computer”.
- On Adobe products, we can deauthorize computers by selecting “Help”, “Deactivate” and “Deactivate Permanently”.
- Different programs have different deauthorization methods. You should research online if you are unsure about how to deauthorize a program.
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Delete important files. “Be careful not to worry”, even if the hard drive will be wiped clean, do not be subjective with bank statements, tax documents or sensitive images on the machine. Instead of just sending these files to the trash and leaving a trail, find a program to permanently delete them. [3] X Research Sources
- On Windows, you can choose CCleaner, Eraser or File Shredder to completely delete important files.
- This feature is built into most Mac computers. After putting the files you want to delete to the trash, hold down the Command key and click the trash can icon. Select “Empty Trash Securely” to safely destroy all data lying in the trash.
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Clear browser history. If you have been loyal to a browser on a laptop for quite a while, there will be a lot of personal information, passwords and even banking data. You need to delete all this information before handling the laptop. [4] X Research Source Here’s how it works in different browsers:
- If you use Safari, click the “Safari” tab in the upper-left corner of the screen and select “Clear History.” Make sure that “all history” is selected, then click “Clear History” in the bottom corner of the window that appears.
- With Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge and Mozilla Firefox, we can clear the browsing history by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Del. To delete all data, you need to make sure that all boxes and timeframes on the pop-up window are checked. Then, click the Delete button in the bottom corner to clear browsing data.
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Uninstall all programs. Similar to web browsers, many other programs also store personal data so that users do not have to enter the same information again and again. Review all programs and remove apps that contain your personal information, or simply uninstall them all to be safe. [5] X Research Sources
- Programs like Microsoft Word or Excel can store your full name and address, which is information that no one wants to fall into the hands of a laptop owner later.
- If the computer has a program that allows transactions to be installed (e.g. Steam), the credit card information may already be saved.
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Reset the computer and format the hard drive. After backing up and excluding all necessary information, we will perform a factory reset to wipe the hard drive. This process can be a bit complicated, so make sure you understand how. [6] X Research Sources
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Erase or destroy the hard drive if you cannot use the computer. If the reason for disposing of the computer is because the device cannot boot, it is not easy to know what is on the hard drive. In this case, you should completely remove the hard drive from the laptop. [7] X Trusted Source Federal Trade Commission Go to Source Here’s how it works on different computers:
- Some older laptops have hard drives that are easily removed by sliding out of the port on the side. Maybe you need to flip some switch, but then it’s easy to grab the hard drive and pull it out of the computer.
- The hard drive can also be installed behind the plastic plate on the underside of the laptop. Look for the long piece of plastic (usually secured with screws) on the side when the laptop is open. Then, unscrew the plastic plate or hard drive fixing screw (if any) to remove the hard drive.
- If you can’t figure out how to remove the hard drive from your computer, check the manufacturer’s instructions or online advice for the specific laptop model.
- If you want to keep the files that are on the hard drive, store the hard drive in an anti-static bag. The data in it can be saved if you take the bag to your local computer repair center.
- If you don’t need any data on the hard drive, you can destroy it by using an electric drill to drill a few holes in different places on the component. Then, process it with the rest of the laptop.
Handling old laptops
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Selling laptops. Whether old laptops become sluggish or just don’t seem to work, there are people out there who want to buy them. Sell your laptop online or in your neighborhood with all the problems and specs you know of. [8] X Trusted Source Consumer Reports Go to Source
- Some people will buy used laptops to get components. They don’t care if the laptop has stopped working, as long as the device is still in good condition.
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Exchange your laptop for cash or gift cards. Various electronics stores and laptop companies have programs to exchange old technology for a small payment. You can search online or ask your local electronics store if there is a suitable program, so we can estimate what they will pay for the used laptop. [9] X Research Source
- Best Buy, Apple, and Amazon all have second-hand equipment trade-in programs in the US.
- You need to compare the value and payment methods between different programs to choose the best deal for your used laptop.
Spike Baron
Network Engineer & Desktop Support
Spike Baron is the owner of Spike’s Computer Repair. With more than 25 years of experience in the technology industry, his business specializes in desktop and Mac repair, used computer sales, virus removal, data recovery, software upgrades, and more. Hardware. He has a CompTIA A+ certification and is a Microsoft solutions expert.
Spike Baron
Network Engineer & Desktop Support
Network Engineer & Desktop Support
Our experts say: Places like Best Buy and Staples often hold a day a month for users to exchange old electronics, which they then recycle or dispose of. Some major cities also have recycling centers that handle e-waste.
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Donate old laptops. If the laptop is still working properly, you can donate it to a family or individual in need. Search online for local computer donation charities and donate your laptop. [10] X Trusted Source Consumer Reports Go to Source
- The National Cristina Foundation and World Computer Exchange are charities that handle electronic devices.
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Take your laptop to an e-waste recycling center. Many electronic devices and laptops contain harmful ingredients such as lead, mercury or cadmium. Therefore, it is best to dispose of it in a safe place designated for e-waste disposal. There are many electronics processing plants worldwide, you can find the closest ones online. [11] X Trusted Source Consumer Reports Go to Source
- Some recycling plants may require you to place your electronics somewhere in the area or offer on-site collection. Search online to find the place that suits you best.
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Throwing away is the last resort. If there is no other way to safely dispose of your laptop, you can dispose of it with a regular trash bag. Use caution as this can be harmful to the environment and should be considered as a last resort. [12] X Trusted Source Consumer Reports Go to Source
- Many states in the US require e-waste to be disposed of safely by recycling. You need to make sure you’re not breaking the law when you throw away your laptop.
Warning
- Always wear safety gloves when drilling electronic equipment because small and sharp pieces can fly out as you do.
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This article was co-written by Spike Baron. Spike Baron is the owner of Spike’s Computer Repair. With more than 25 years of experience in the technology industry, his business specializes in desktop and Mac repair, used computer sales, virus removal, data recovery, software upgrades, and more. Hardware. He has a CompTIA A+ certification and is a Microsoft solutions expert.
This article has been viewed 2,413 times.
Whether we want to upgrade a computer, a completely broken laptop or lying in a dusty closet, there will be times when we need to deal with this device. If the laptop has been with you for a while, you’ll probably want to keep some valuable data on your hard drive or simply keep it out of the hands of others. By wiping the hard drive and applying some safe ways to handle the laptop, you can rest assured about this problem.
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