Paul Nicholls

Obviously when disposing of old hardware in an environment where staff frequently handle sensitive and confidential information it is critical that proper measures are taken to ensure no data could be recovered from computers, laptops, etc.

This was fun!.

Disposal #3
Date of Disposal: 26/07/2007
Goods Disposed Of: RM Laptop
Method of Disposal: Running it Over!
Tools Used: a Fiat Punto
Wielder of Destruction: Mr Jennings, Mr Burrows and Mr Nicholls all took their turns.

Outcome: The power lights came on, but nothing much actually happened. The screens were shot and the batteries didn’t stay in place properly. The best bit, which unfortunately was not captured on film was when we used two laptops as ramps to get up a kerb with. Film also missed Alex nearly crashing my car into a signpost…

Obviously when disposing of old hardware in an environment where staff frequently handle sensitive and confidential information it is critical that proper measures are taken to ensure no data could be recovered from computers, laptops, etc.

And so it continues, or in fact, this is where it started its just that I only just around around to e-mailing these photos home… Anyway….

Disposal #1
Date of Disposal: 08/07/2007
Goods Disposed Of: RM Laptop
Method of Disposal: Disassembly (as small pieces as we could get it into)
Tools Used: Just a screwdriver!
Wielder of Destruction: Mr Jennings

Outcome: Well, we hooked a few parts back together (whilst it was all in pieces on the desk), we got the fans to start up turned on, that’s about it.

Obviously when disposing of old hardware in an environment where staff frequently handle sensitive and confidential information it is critical that proper measures are taken to ensure no data could be recovered from computers, laptops, etc.

Naturally when it became clear that over the next few months we will need to “Securely Dispose” of a dozen or so old laptops (all already suffering various ailments that essentially render them worthless and barely usable) I decided that the destruction of this hardware needs to be done properly, and clearly documented along the way - a la blog.

We’ve actually already done #1 too, but the photos are on the other camera - which is at work. Whoops.

Disposal #2
Date of Disposal: 09/07/2007
Goods Disposed Of: RM Laptop
Method of Disposal: Puncture Wounds
Tools Used: Electric Drill, Hole Saw, Soldering Iron
Wielder of Destruction: Mr Nicholls

Outcome: Surprisingly the laptop started to boot despite the holes, no display - and the motherboard beeps in “motherboard error” beep code pattern - but it kinda worked…