Several weeks ago it was decided across the board that I needed a fast computer for my daily activities here in our corporate office.  I contacted our NOC, told them what I wanted and a few days later a shiny new desktop sat atop my desk. I took care of all of the necessary transfer of data and whatnots and politely asked the guys, “So what do you want me to do with this dinosaur? Toss it?” They looked at me like I had a third eye and quickly informed me that there are “proper” ways to dispose of your computer. Gently removing it from my death grip they carried it out of my office, never to be seen again.

So there I stood, with empty hands and I began to wonder what in the world they were going to do with it. What about all of that customer data (possibly the reason they refused to leave it)? I’ve seen Forensic Files one time too many, where some ridiculously smart computer guru is able to retrieve data from a suspect’s computer, uncovering hard core evidence which implicates the suspect.  I also began to think what would happen if that information got into the wrong hands (flashback to the 1995 film The Net with Sandra Bullock).   Were they going to try to rebuild it? “Gentlemen, we can rebuild. We have the technology. …. Better than before…. Better, stronger, faster.”- anyone remember The Six Million Dollar Man ?  Since my inquiring mind and overactive imagination wanted to know, and I’m sure I am not alone, I sat down and spoke with Joe Cosmano, Director of Engineering, and Josh Simon, Director of Data Center Services, to find out what to do with old computers to ensure that they are either disposed of properly or rebuilt to become the Six Million Dollar Machine. (more…)