How to Remove Stored Data on Copier Machines
One of the many advantages that come with owning a digital copier is that many models come equipped with a hard drive. The hard drive is used for storing files, holding the operating system, and allowing for many advanced digital copying features. However, an issue that some businesses are faced with is the hard drive may also retain images of copied material that is confidential. If you copy confidential information, it may be critical to erase the hard drive prior to the copier leaving your ownership. If you do not have the materials needed to erase the hard drive, removal and destroying are the only viable choices.
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Instructions
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Install disk scrubbing software on a computer that is connected to the same network the copier is connected to. Locate and double click the "setup.exe" file that accompanied the software. This file will either be on the installation disk or can be downloaded from the software manufacturer's website. Double clicking the "setup.exe" file will begin an auto-install process and will stop once the software is installed.
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Run the scrubbing software. Depending on the type of software you are using, once launched, the software will search for all hard drives on the network.
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Choose the copier's hard drive to scrub. If you have several computers or devices that have hard drives, be sure you select the correct hard drive. Once you begin the scrubbing process, your data will be erased and will be unrecoverable.
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Choose options and begin the scrubbing process. Options usually include either a full-disk scrub or an open-disk space scrub. The safest choice is to scrub, and therefore erase, the entire drive.
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Unplug the copier from its power source, network, and fax line. Once the drive has been scrubbed, immediately disconnect all incoming cables from the machine to eliminate the possibility of the copier receiving additional information.
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Tips & Warnings
Once the hard drive is erased, it will be unusable. If you need to return the copier to a leasing company or plan on selling it, you will need to re-load the copier system software onto the hard drive before it can be used.
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- Photo Credit white folder (confidential) image by William Berry from Fotolia.com
