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Retire your computer the right way

My fabulous new laptop is all set up and running beautifully. My old laptop has been consigned to its temporary new home: the garage. There it shall stay until I get an opportunity to take it to an electronics collection event, which my city periodically holds. (It's the green way, people.)

Anyway, I may have been a bit hasty taking it straight to the garage. According to stuff I've been reading online, you should always retire your old computer. That is, before you toss it, recycle it, sell it, give it away, donate it to charity--whatever--it's recommended you carry out some basic steps first.

The following computer retirement tips come courtesy of everyone's favorite software behemoth, Microsoft:
1. Remove all your personal files. This way your privacy is protected should someone get a hold of that machine and go looking for personal data. Delete all Office documents and emails. Also be sure to delete the contents of your email address book. Delete all Internet files and bookmarks. Finally, delete the contents of your recycle bin.

2. For extra security, use disk-cleaning software or a file shredding program. Alternatively, you could take the machine to a techie you trust, and ask him/her to check that everything is gone from the hard drive.

There. You're protected. Feels good, doesn't it?

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