How to Wipe Out Data from Your Old Hard Disk Drive

So you have finally decided to get a larger and faster hard disk drive so you can store more files and have a speedier system. When you take out your old hard drive, do not throw it away! You can donate it to charity institutions and the like, but make sure that you remove all of your old data first. There are three things that you can do to wipe out data from your old hard drive.

* Reformat Your Drive

A simple reformat of your hard drive usually does the trick. Depending on your operating system, there are many different ways to reformat an old hard drive.

Reformatting a hard drive does not actually delete all your files and data, however. It simply prepares your hard drive to accept new files and overwrite the “deleted” files. Your old files can readily be retrieved by anyone who is of a mind to do it, such as criminals and data thieves, through the use of data recovery software.

If you have stored sensitive and personal information in your hard drive, you will want to get rid of your data completely. To do this, get a disk wipe utility.

* Run a Disk Wipe Utility

Unlike reformatting, data removed via disk wiping cannot be recovered by data recovery software. With a disk wipe utility, you can prevent identity theft and ensure that your uncompromising secrets remain as secrets. You can download a number of disk wipe utilities for free on the Internet.

* Destroy Your Drive

Destroying your hard drive can effectively deter unscrupulous individuals from mining your personal information, but it will render your drive useless and unfit for any type of charity work. There is only one reason why anyone would want to destroy their drives — lack of time. Reformatting a hard drive and running disk wipes, done the right way, will take hours to finish. If you are in a hurry, you can smash your hard drive to bits and be done with it in mere moments!

When wiping out data from old hard drives, it is always best to reformat them and run disk wipe utilities, instead of destroying them. While you no longer have any use for these drives, many other people can still benefit from them. You will also reduce the amount of global electronic waste.

Three Tips to Keep Your Laptop Computer Cool

Running a hot laptop computer on your lap is a sure fire way to not only burn your legs, but also reduce the life of your laptop. If you want your laptop to last longer, you need to reduce the heat it generates. Here are some great tips that can help you keep your laptop cool!

* Ventilate

Ensure that your laptop has access to adequate airflow. The movement of air in between laptop components helps dissipate the heat the components generate.

Your laptop “breathes” through air vents located at its sides and at the bottom of the unit. To enhance and promote airflow, do not block your laptop’s air vents. You may inadvertently do this if you operate your laptop on your bed or on top of a pillow. Crumpled sheets and the depressed mattress or pillow may block or partially cover your laptop’s air vents.

A great way to optimize airflow is to perch your laptop on top of four level bases, such as wooden toy cubes, so that the unit’s bottom does not come into contact with the surface of your table. This allows your laptop to breathe more easily through its bottom air vents.

* Get a Notebook Cooler

A more effective way to control your laptop’s temperature is to use a notebook cooler. A notebook cooler is a perforated platform that has a fan inside. The laptop computer is placed on top of the platform. The whirring fan hastens air exchange at the bottom of your laptop computer.

* Power Down

If you do not have an immediate need for your laptop, turn it off or operate it at a lower power state such as in sleep or hibernate mode. Lesser computer activity means lesser heat. This also means lesser power consumption so you can save on your electricity bill!

Keeping your laptop cool should be easy so long as you keep it well ventilated and well rested.