How to wipe the memory of a bricked Android tablet?

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Kookoo

323 posts

Ultimate Geek

#195215 10-Apr-2016 23:37

After 4 great years my Acer Iconia A501 has finally decided it has had enough.

The poor Android is lying down with the red triangle, and I can't boot into recovery mode or boot it from sd card using an update.zip. So, it's time for us to part ways, BUT. I am pretty sure that I unless it's a hardware fault, it can be resurrected.

So how do I ensure that if someone manages to resurrect this tablet, they can't access the information stored on it?

Hello, Ground!

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'That VDSL Cat'
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Spark

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#1529736 10-Apr-2016 23:44

If the data is really that important, take to it with some sort of tool to destroy the device. paying special attention to the flash memory chips..

Im sure your toolbox is likely filled with all sorts of torture devices for the poor little acer to spend its last few days with.

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

Kookoo

323 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1529743 11-Apr-2016 00:00

hio77:
If the data is really that important, take to it with some sort of tool to destroy the device. paying special attention to the flash memory chips..

Im sure your toolbox is likely filled with all sorts of torture devices for the poor little acer to spend its last few days with.

That's a good idea, although taking the drill to it would be a bloody shame - it's a beautiful device.

I'd have thought there would a more elegant solution. :(

Hello, Ground!

UncleArthur

184 posts

Master Geek

#1529744 11-Apr-2016 00:31

Since it's 'bricked' - use a brick.

d3Xt3r

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#1529775 11-Apr-2016 06:33

Can your device boot into fastboot mode? Power it up with the Vol-Up and Power buttons press down, and if you see a menu, select fastboot. If that's working, then install the Android SDK on your computer (or just adb with fastboot), open a command prompt and type "fastboot erase userdata".

Btw, if you can get to the fastboot screen, then there's a chance you could recover the tablet itself (eg: by flashing the stock firmware).

frankv

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#1529844 11-Apr-2016 09:09

Kookoo: That's a good idea, although taking the drill to it would be a bloody shame - it's a beautiful device. :(

It *was* a beautiful device. Now it's a beautiful brick.

How much are you going to sell it for anyway? What's the value of privacy of the data? Do the math.

spearsniper

130 posts

Master Geek

#1529857 11-Apr-2016 09:19

I think that Tech Assassin has an elegant way to wipe those flash memory chips.

https://youtu.be/4L3sOweGk30

I can verify that this works very well for securely erasing hard drives too.

Kookoo

323 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1529868 11-Apr-2016 09:37

frankv:

Kookoo: That's a good idea, although taking the drill to it would be a bloody shame - it's a beautiful device. :(

It *was* a beautiful device. Now it's a beautiful brick.

How much are you going to sell it for anyway? What's the value of privacy of the data? Do the math.

Well, that much is true. I guess my preference has always been not to physically destroy an old device, especially if I think it can be of use to someone. So far I've only taken the drill to failed old harddrives that I couldn't wipe.

So I'd rather take the tablet to an e-waste collection day - if I can somehow wipe it first, of course.

Hello, Ground!

Mark

1547 posts

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#1529885 11-Apr-2016 09:39

spearsniper:

I think that Tech Assassin has an elegant way to wipe those flash memory chips.

https://youtu.be/4L3sOweGk30

I can verify that this works very well for securely erasing hard drives too.

Remember most people here are in New Zealand, so the best they have is probably one of these....

PolicyGuy

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#1529894 11-Apr-2016 09:52

The GCSB NZ Information Security Manual (see http://www.gcsb.govt.nz/publications/the-nz-information-security-manual/) says at paragraph 13.4.6 (page 1, page 276) "Hybrid hard drives, solid state drives and flash memory devices are difficult or impossible to sanitise effectively. In most cases safe disposal will require destruction".

So, the Government says you can't reliably wipe the memory of your tablet.

Just saying

spearsniper

130 posts

Master Geek

#1529898 11-Apr-2016 09:57

Mark:

spearsniper:

I think that Tech Assassin has an elegant way to wipe those flash memory chips.

https://youtu.be/4L3sOweGk30

I can verify that this works very well for securely erasing hard drives too.

Remember most people here are in New Zealand, so the best they have is probably one of these....

Thems need to be big fast potato's to destroy a tablet.
I guess a sledge hammer would also work, but would not be as satisfying.

d3Xt3r

647 posts

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#1530213 11-Apr-2016 20:30

Kookoo:

frankv:

Kookoo: That's a good idea, although taking the drill to it would be a bloody shame - it's a beautiful device. :(

It *was* a beautiful device. Now it's a beautiful brick.

How much are you going to sell it for anyway? What's the value of privacy of the data? Do the math.

[..]if I can somehow wipe it first, of course.

Have you read my earlier post? I posted a legit solution on how you could wipe the data. Disappointed that you accepted the sarcastic "use a brick" suggestion as the answer to your post. :/

hairy1

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#1530221 11-Apr-2016 20:47

d3Xt3r:

Kookoo:

frankv:

Kookoo: That's a good idea, although taking the drill to it would be a bloody shame - it's a beautiful device. :(

It *was* a beautiful device. Now it's a beautiful brick.

How much are you going to sell it for anyway? What's the value of privacy of the data? Do the math.

[..]if I can somehow wipe it first, of course.

Have you read my earlier post? I posted a legit solution on how you could wipe the data. Disappointed that you accepted the sarcastic "use a brick" suggestion as the answer to your post. :/

The OP is not the only one who could have set that as the answer....

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

d3Xt3r

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#1530234 11-Apr-2016 21:02

hairy1:

The OP is not the only one who could have set that as the answer....

Damn. Been here for years and I never knew that anyone could set any comment as an answer. That's pretty weird. Apologies, OP.

hairy1

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#1530235 11-Apr-2016 21:06

I am not quite sure who can set answers and who can't... Is it trusted users @freitasm? I can set answers and am a trusted member....

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

Kookoo

323 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1530279 11-Apr-2016 21:44

d3Xt3r:

Have you read my earlier post? I posted a legit solution on how you could wipe the data. Disappointed that you accepted the sarcastic "use a brick" suggestion as the answer to your post. :/

Yes I have read it. No, I can't get to fastboot menu. If I could I would be asking for help with recovery, not with wiping data. :)

Not sure who marked the post as an answer - it sure wasn't me.

Hello, Ground!

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