Crays, SB1105, Texas state law (was: Re: Hardest to Find Classic Computers ....)

From: Tothwolf <tothwolf_at_concentric.net>
Date: Mon Dec 17 18:08:20 2001

On Sun, 16 Dec 2001, Doc wrote:
> On Sun, 16 Dec 2001, Tothwolf wrote:
>
> > UT is required to remove all data from the machines they send TDC. Most
> > warehouses wipe the drives in the PC machines (only drives with
> > fat16/fat32 format), and remove and scrap any drives that don't fit that
> > profile. Some warehouses simply remove all drives and scrap them.
> > Scrapping always means rendering the drive completely useless. Some
> > warehouses drill holes in the drives, and some run them thru an industrial
> > chipper. Even worse, they never remove the mounting brackets from the
> > drives before scrapping them.
>
> I forgot to add that if you read the law carefully, the OS and installed
> programs are specifically exempt from removal. Which is, in the case of
> PCs especially, insane. Most Windows users have no idea where they're
> storing data, and very few departmental "computer guys" are patient
> enough to thoroughly check a PC for data files, email, bookmark files,
> or whatever. IMNSHO that's Windows' single biggest sin - you can put any
> file you want anywhere you want to. Or delete same. Back on track,
> though, that provision leaves the doors open for a very wide range of
> interpretation.

I read the exact same section, and had the same thoughts. What I wish they
would do (and I've mentioned this to a few warehouse managers), is get the
free QuickRestore cdrom sets from Compaq (most of the pc machines they
have down here are Compaq), wipe the drive and do a clean install. If they
did this, and it were not for SB1105, they could then resell working pc
machine and get back some of the tax money they are currently throwing
away.

-Toth
Received on Mon Dec 17 2001 - 18:08:20 GMT