-----Original Message----- From: Simon Wood [SMTP:Simon.Wood@pace.co.uk] Sent: Friday, September 22, 2000 8:57 AM To: 'Nigel Metheringham'; kevin.taylor@powerconv.alstom.com Cc: Schools List Subject: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Recycling old PC's/Company Upgrading.

1). Please (Pretty Please!) change the 'subject' when changing, well, the subject.

Good point, provided you keep some reference to the parent thread

2). Re erasing old disks - this is a particularly difficult one as who knows what levels you really have to go to. Some companies make lots of money providing tools/service to do this. Why not suggest that the machines are provided ex-harddisk, who ever collects them simply takes a screwdriver and removes the disks before taking the machines away.

This should be fairly simple. (I've not actually tried it). Place the drive into an existing Linux system and 'dd' some crap to the /dev/hdb?? file. If you get the PC's donated ex-harddisk then you need to find a new donator who is happy to provide blank HD's - not going to be easy.

3). Another problem is the 'safety', you may need to sign a waiver stating that the company can not be held responsible if the kit is electrically unsafe.

Whoa!!!!!! If you do this then you are taking on the liability unless you make the intended recipient do likewise.

Simon Wood

----------------------------------------- Gary Stainburn. Work: http://www.ringways.co.uk mailto:gary.stainburn@ringways.co.uk REVCOM: http://www.revcom.org.uk mailto:gary.stainburn@revcom.org.uk ----------------------------------------- Murphy's Laws: (327) Build a system that even a fool can use, and only a fool will use it. -----------------------------------------