iPod touch How do I delete Data from a dead iPod touch

[vcoleiro1]

My wife has a dead ipod touch(water damaged) and we want to sell it for parts. However, my wife is concerned someone will fix it and get her data and passwords etc off it.

Is there a way I can delete / wipe the ipod. It's completely dead when you plug it in and doesnt show up on itunes. ie when you plug it in , itune doesnt fire up.

Can I use a magnet or some other technique to wipe the data?.

 

[miles01110]

If you can't get it working you won't be able to delete anything from it reliably.

 

[charleswhalley]

Take it apart and remover the hard drive and then put it back together again. Then sell it for parts.

 

[Consultant]

Take it apart and remover the hard drive and then put it back together again. Then sell it for parts.

1. iPod touch does NOT have a hard drive
2. the iPod touch storage is NOT removable

 

[Jetson]

.

 

[baypharm]

Hey if you are THAT nervous about your files falling into the wrong hands, just take a sledge to it and mash it up good into a thousand teenie tiny pieces. Seems like a better deal that trying to sell it for parts.....

Other than that...passwords can be easily changed so that is a non-issue. As for your other files/data - either pay to have someone repair it and wipe the data or destroy it beyond description...as in total mayhem...

 

[cyclotron451]

cost benefit analysis vs. threat

dead ipod touch....Can I use a magnet or some other technique to wipe the data?.

it depends on the cost analysis - you might get $35 for the spare parts versus - what would be the damage if your digital footprint traces were liberated?

(A relative suffered an email phish attack - crims getting passwords etc and lost $25000 - we got an immediate $12500 back from the bank but it took nearly a year and lots of effort to get the remainder back)

Some ways to possibly delete the data from RAM cells would involve corrupting the cell memory latent electrical charges: could try leaving the iPod in a particle accelerator neutron cone; passing it repeatedly through an electron beam steriliser; many many trips through an airport-type x-ray scanner; connecting mains voltage to each pin on the Apple dock connector in turn; several dunkings in LN2, such that it reached around 77K (minus 321 Farenheit) for maybe a week and finally, the good-old HERF EMP focussed discharge of below 2 nanosecond rise time 2 gigawatt pulses from a multi-stage Marx gun (cost around $3500)
Caution: use of some of the above systems might damage the user more than the iPod, and may be illegal in your municipality

 

[old-wiz]

Cyclotron....great ideas, but I'd just go with the hammer.

 

[RKO]

Cyclotron....great ideas, but I'd just go with the hammer.

This. I took a hammer to mine when it died. Wasn't worth it in my opinion to try and salvage anything from it to sell.