Ask Slashdot: Preparing an Android Tablet For Resale?

Posted by timothy on Monday July 28, 2014 @07:07AM from the link-free-cloth-and-a-.45 dept.

UrsaMajor987 (3604759) writes I have a Asus Transformer tablet that I dropped on the floor. There is no obvious sign of damage but It will no longer boot. Good excuse to get a newer model. I intend to sell it for parts (it comes with an undamaged keyboard) or maybe just toss it. I want to remove all my personal data. I removed the flash memory card but what about the other storage? I know how to wipe a hard drive, but how do you wipe a tablet? If you were feeling especially paranoid, but wanted to keep the hardware intact for the next user, what would you do?

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It has 2GB internal memory. by Kenja · 2014-07-28 07:11 · Score: 5, Insightful

There is 2GB of memory for the OS, personal settings, apps, etc. If you can not boot the device, you can not access this memory to clear it. You may be SOL.

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Re:Two Steps by ArcadeMan · 2014-07-28 07:42 · Score: 5, Insightful

Built-in storage is going to be an IC or two that are soldered to a PCB. If the device won't boot, the only really safe way to delete the data is to dismantle the unit and totally destroy the board and make sure all ICs are broken.

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