Removing Internal Harddrive?
- Thread starter SkyRider
- Start date
Do you have a bunch of porn you don't want them to see?
It would be kind of hard to work on your computer without the harddrive though, unless you know specifically what needs to be replaced in terms of hardware.
It's fairly simple, I'm sure a quick google search would help better than trying to explain it on here. Just pop open the tower, unplug the cables from the back of the drive and unscrew it from the case. Make sure you know what cables go where so you can put them back in.
It would be kind of hard to work on your computer without the harddrive though, unless you know specifically what needs to be replaced in terms of hardware.
It's fairly simple, I'm sure a quick google search would help better than trying to explain it on here. Just pop open the tower, unplug the cables from the back of the drive and unscrew it from the case. Make sure you know what cables go where so you can put them back in.
Should I remove the internal HD BEFORE I take my computer to the local computer repair shop?
BTW: How does one remove the internal HD and then re-install it again AFTER it comes back from the shop?
First you need to specify if your computer is a laptop or desktop.
If you decide to take it out, which makes it impossible for them to fix software related or hard drive related problems, have a healthy fear of static electricity and ground yourself before doing anything.
Buy an external drive and dump your porn on to that.
Always in the Groove...
Buy an external drive and dump your porn on to that.
Always in the Groove...
Bad idea.
They may not be able to fix your PC if the problem is being caused by something on the HDD.
Yes, put your porn on an external HD. First download the porn to your computer, and as you get 4.5gb or so, burn it onto a dvd for backup, then move the porn onto the external HD. Also, don't store you external HD on your desktop computer. Store it some place secure, so it won't fall. An 18-20" drop, even onto carpet, can fuck up an external HD. I lost my original porn collection that way. 500gb, gone.
I seem to vaguely recall reading somewhere that anything that ever existed on your internal HD can be restored even though it has been "deleted". Is this true? Can someone restore all the stuff that you deleted from your internal HD?
YES!!!!!!
It is very easy to do.
All deleted files remain of your HDD until they are over written with new files/data.
Ignoring porn for a moment, my internal HD contains sensitive client information as well as personal banking and investment data that I would hate to see fall into the wrong hands. It appears that the most prudent thing to do is to physically remove the HD. Maybe it is time to install a new internal HD and O/S anyway.
In that case it would be a good thing to do, to keep your data from being compromised, if that is possible.
You never mentioned what was wrong and why your PC was going in for repair? This may effect your ability to put in a new HDD and install the OS.
The problem is that my computer really struggles to play 1080p video. First, I have to shrink the image. Second, the video is quite choppy. The computer store guy said that I need an upgraded "video card". Is it difficult to replace a video card?
If you remove the HD, the store will not be able to test if the video card works with your computer and O/S. Adding or replacing a video card is very easy. In most cases, you insert the card into a PCI or PCI express slot if it is a desktop, plug in the monitor and you are up and running. Consider also add more RAM to your computer.
1. If your hard drive contains sensitive information, then you have to pull it. Purchase a blank hard drive and get them to install the O/S onto the blank hard drive.
2. Replacing the video card is easier than replacing the hard drive. Just make sure the power supply is sufficient for any new video card. (The store should be able to advise you.)
3. I have my doubts that your video problem is caused by the video card. Pretty much any newer computer should be capable of playing video. All the older/cheaper computers will likely need more upgrades than just the video card. If your hard drive has a great big wide (IDE) cable as opposed to the narrow (SATA) cable, purchase a new computer.
My recommendation:
A. Pull the hard drive. Replace it with a new one, and reinstall the operating system. If the video plays, the problem was the operating system install became corrupted with time.
B. If needed, purchase new computer / new video card as appropriate.
Either way, the process starts with pulling the hard drive.
2. Replacing the video card is easier than replacing the hard drive. Just make sure the power supply is sufficient for any new video card. (The store should be able to advise you.)
3. I have my doubts that your video problem is caused by the video card. Pretty much any newer computer should be capable of playing video. All the older/cheaper computers will likely need more upgrades than just the video card. If your hard drive has a great big wide (IDE) cable as opposed to the narrow (SATA) cable, purchase a new computer.
My recommendation:
A. Pull the hard drive. Replace it with a new one, and reinstall the operating system. If the video plays, the problem was the operating system install became corrupted with time.
B. If needed, purchase new computer / new video card as appropriate.
Either way, the process starts with pulling the hard drive.
I'm thinking that we should probably buy a new computer. We are currently using a Hewitt Packard Model DG767A#ABA. I Googled it and it appears to be made in 2004 and has only 512MB RAM. It is probably too underpowered to playback 1080p video. We probably also need to buy a new monitor that can play 1080p HD video.
The model mentioned was intended for business use, and never intended for 1080p movies. If you updated to the graphics card, replaced the hard drive, and increased the RAM (memory) in 2004 to at least 1GB, then you would be able to play movies now.
However, I would be skeptical of any plan to upgrade it in 2011. The computer is seven years old, and due for replacement. At a minimum, you will be paying a premium for compatible parts. It will be very easy to spend more money on this upgrade than the computer is worth.
Rule of Thumb: If the computer needs one upgrade, then consider upgrading. If the computer needs two upgrades, then hesitantly consider upgrading. If the computer needs three or more upgrades, replace the computer.
This model of computer will need (a) new HD, (b) new video card, (c) more/new RAM, and maybe (d) new power supply. REPLACE
However, I would be skeptical of any plan to upgrade it in 2011. The computer is seven years old, and due for replacement. At a minimum, you will be paying a premium for compatible parts. It will be very easy to spend more money on this upgrade than the computer is worth.
Rule of Thumb: If the computer needs one upgrade, then consider upgrading. If the computer needs two upgrades, then hesitantly consider upgrading. If the computer needs three or more upgrades, replace the computer.
This model of computer will need (a) new HD, (b) new video card, (c) more/new RAM, and maybe (d) new power supply. REPLACE
While deleted data can be restored, you can download 'eraser' programs that will overwrite the sectors that you want to delete. If you go to cnet.com or download.com you can find a program called Eraser and have it write over sensitive data up to 35 times with random data.
Always in the Groove...
Always in the Groove...
That is old, probably running XP also.
Didn't think it was that old.
Only 512 RAM is very low today and it's probably got an IDE drive, along with a low wattage PSU that couldn't handle a good video card upgrade!
Better off getting a new PC for what you want to do.
A new PC is your best option, they are cheap and have amazing performance. You will feel like you went from a Pinto to a Vette!....
