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Posted: 7/19/2005 10:26:15 AM EDT
[#1]
B O H I C A
(Bend over, here it comes again) |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 10:34:13 AM EDT
[#2]
I would definitely pull the hard drive and destroy it. If you downloaded ANYTHING even remotely questionable, it will come back to haunt you. At least that way, you're only out $700... Instead of being out of your money AND in jail.
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Posted: 7/19/2005 10:35:26 AM EDT
[#3]
I'm guessing they could give a shit about the laptop, they want the HDD. That is if he bought the laptop with one in it.
Sounds to me like your gonna eat it in the shorts on this one. |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 10:39:05 AM EDT
[#4]
You guys need a serious reality check. If the laptop is stolen property, the hard drive is too. The personal data should be backed up and deleted normally. The "free space" on the drive should not be wiped, as this could be considered destroying evidence. That evidence could be important to the investigation, or it could be otherwise useful. Physical destruction of the drive is about the dumbest damn thing I've heard today. "Oh, ok.. The laptop is stolen. Let me just remove part of it and destroy it". Brilliant.
 Your tax info and some nudie photos are uninteresting and useless to the investigators. Get a grip. I'd definitely require proof of ownership and a reciept for the laptop if it was taken though. Compensation for recovered stolen property is not the responsibility of the original owner, I'd be interested to see if you get anything back. |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 10:40:41 AM EDT
[#5]
Are you 100% sure all those porn pics are over 18?
I would remove and destroy the HD. Whatever happens its better than getting busted for kiddie porn. |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 10:45:31 AM EDT
[#6]
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Posted: 7/19/2005 10:48:35 AM EDT
[#7]
Two words - Author Anderson.
Tampering with evidence is a good one too. Am glad I am not in your boots. But thanks for the warning bout buying used computers... |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 10:51:05 AM EDT
[#8]
Kharn |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 10:53:18 AM EDT
[#9]
My thoughts EXACTLY. |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 10:53:39 AM EDT
[#10]
Boat accident.
Did you get the hd with it? If not, burn it, melt it, blow it up, collect all dust and bury it in a remote location. |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 10:56:35 AM EDT
[#11]
So for the rest of us, the lesson is to NEVER, EVER put anything other than the most mundane, innocent crap on a machine unless you buy it brand new from a business and have receipt and original paperwork etc for it.
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Posted: 7/19/2005 10:57:21 AM EDT
[#12]
Step 1:
BUG OUT!!!!! |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 11:00:13 AM EDT
[#13]
No sense spending money to clean your hard drive.....two words for you. BIG MAGNET!! Copy your data to a new drive and demagnetize the whole thing.
Oh yeah, Gitmo is very hot this time of year. |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 11:01:38 AM EDT
[#14]
Put the laptop in the microwave for 60 seconds.
coburn |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 11:02:52 AM EDT
[#15]
1. Verify the identity of the individual on the phone.
2. Keep your mouth shut (you probably have said too much already if there is an ongoing investigation). 3. Lawyer up immediately before doing anything else. Trust me. I am currently representing a wealthy collector who bought several cars at "good prices" (not so that it would put you on notice re: stolen property. paperwork appeared normal and everything). He was polite and cooperative with the DMV and other investigators, and he is now in the $hithouse facing several felonies for being involved in a "theft ring" (he has never had even a speeding ticket and collected cars as investments). If they want to rope you in on something, they can - and it's a bitch to get out as far as money and time is concerned even though you are innocent. |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 11:07:38 AM EDT
[#16]
The thing with Dell computers and laptops is that each unit is configured and sold with a service ID tag on the bottom of the unit. All one has to do is to go to the Dell web site and put that info into the web page and it will tell you who bought the laptop. Its Dell's way of keeping track of the configuration, the date it was sold, warranty period, service done in the past, and who bought it.
If the laptop is owned by the DOD and was pilfered, then you have only a few options, none are in your favor.. delete all pron immediately. save all financial data, not the programs, but the saved data onto a flash drive. You can get those cheap with about 512mb of storage, larger if you want. Once you have the DATA offloaded, then uninstall any applications that you have installed. If you recieved the unit already wiped of all data, then I don't think its an issue for you to do a low level format of the drive if you want to protect your information, but remember this... if the unit is the property of the .gov, and it was obtained by the seller illegally, then you are in posession of stolen property. Whether you know it or not doesn't matter in the eyes of the law. having said that, your full cooperation with returning the unit will be duly noted I'm sure and you'll be seen as an innocent victim. |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 11:12:25 AM EDT
[#17]
first of all, you can't cut up a hard drive with scissors. secondly, you are openly stating that he should destroy government (if it is) property. |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 11:39:18 AM EDT
[#18]
Tagged for the end result
 Good luck!!!!QB |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 11:43:51 AM EDT
[#19]
Found a picture of the seller:
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Posted: 7/19/2005 11:46:59 AM EDT
[#20]
Tag for outcome. If you tell them you lost it they already have the MAC address linked to your home ISP account.
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Posted: 7/19/2005 11:51:08 AM EDT
[#21]
I have no worry about the "Photos" being illegal as I actually run a couple adult sites and I have the certificates needed to keep the sites on the web....
... just the same, there is complete backups of my websites (the adult sites) on the laptop as it is easier for me to keep the laptop secured from the kids...There is nothing on that computer that would get me in trouble as frankly I don't have anything to really hide... It's just the financial info and wories that the DOD will recover this computer and then strip out the hard drive and sell it as I know I wouldn't trust an outside computer on their networks without knowing where it had been... As for the computer, it is a basic low-end Dell D-600. It has the 1.3GHz Pentium M with the 30 GB Hard Drive and perhaps 8MB of Ram. The screen is the lower resolution VGA version (I never liked the low resolution monitor). As for getting a lawyer, let's be honest... this laptop cost me $700... A lawyer that would be able to help me with this is going to cost me $250/hr or so... So, I could well spending a thousand or more dollars on lawer fees and still have to hand over the laptop and be out the money with no way to go after the person that did this to me... I have no interest in lying as lying to a federal agent is a Federal crime and I personally like owning my guns and MGs. I have no interest or need in keeping the hard drive as again, that would still be stollen property... The system came with no software other then a Windows XP operating system so I feel it would be reasonable to while the hard drive and return it in that kind of configuration... My only problem is that I don't have Windows XP installation Disks  I do appreciate the advise.... it's like having one of my AR-15s stollen on me... it's just not worth cutting my nose off because some SOB did me wrong! I just have way too much to lose and I just got really unlucky buying a used computer and it kinda sucks! |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 11:53:33 AM EDT
[#22]
 Sing along now...."That's the sound of the man...workin' on a Chain--- Ga-aaaaang!" |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 11:53:55 AM EDT
[#23]
1) Establish the validity of the agents contacting you. I'd just call up the DOD, ask for NCIS, explain what's happening, and see if they either verify that it is their people, or ask you more details so they can find impersonators.
2) If it's stolen, then it's between you and the seller to get your money back. The owner doesn't have to pay you for it - though I'd give decent odds that the DOD would be willing to reimburse, and your credit card may well also. 3) Unless the DOD folks mentioned "Don't mess with the data" and/or started off by showing up in person/with the FBI or local law enforcement, I wouldn't expect that they're interested in the data on it. I would expect that they want the property returned. 4) Vaporizing at least your own data and programs would seem wise. 5) If you're worried, get a lawyer. If you're not, see above. If you're considering physical destruction of the drive, get a lawyer. 6) If you're in a one party taping state, start taping these conversations. |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 11:54:45 AM EDT
[#24]
And post the video |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 11:58:17 AM EDT
[#25]
If you are worried about you own data being recovered, I'd encrypt the HD before I nuked it with a wipe program..
I'd be curious to know if they actually busted the guy, or they were able to trace the computer to you via the internet.... Dave |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 12:06:55 PM EDT
[#26]
Uh... what kind of scissors do you have in your kitchen drawers? Jaws of life? |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 12:09:02 PM EDT
[#27]
forget about the laptop How much is worth to keep YOU out of trouble? Also, if you send it back with a new HD, they're gonna say "dude, where the original HD?" |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 12:13:44 PM EDT
[#28]
Here's an idea. Be up front with them. Explain to the feds that you received the laptop with no data on it and ask them if it would be alright if you copied your files and then wiped the hardrive. Tell them that you are concerned about your personal when you return the computer. Ask them if you will recieve restitution from the guy who stole it.
If nothing else, that $700 is deductable on your income taxes. |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 12:17:44 PM EDT
[#29]
I don't know if this has been recommended yet (I didn't feel like reading the entire thread), but I would contact the agent, give him all of the identifying data off of the laptop and tell him that if the DoD can give you written proof that the computer belongs to them and was not lawfully disposed of, you will turn the laptop over to them. This will protect you against a possible fraud, give you time to wipe your personal data off of the drive, and show that you were in utwitting possession of the laptop.
Good luck on getting your money back. |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 12:18:49 PM EDT
[#30]
Until he knows differently, all he knows is that someone else wants the laptop he bought and has personal data on. I would never hand over a hard drive or full machine without wiping it with any of the standard hard-drive-nuking software packages. Use DBAN and wipe the HDD to DOD specs. If it destroys something they needed, then they shouldn't have let it out of their sight in the first place. Jim |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 12:20:46 PM EDT
[#31]
Give it back to them after you send a few 100 rounds of 5.56 through it along with some 00 buck. Tell them that you bought it to do some ballistic tests.
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Posted: 7/19/2005 12:24:38 PM EDT
[#32]
If it is my data, I would not ask permission. The default is to say no. I would just treat it like any other computer or hard drive leaving my posession. Just do it. dban.sourceforge.net/ Jim |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 12:27:38 PM EDT
[#33]
tag for outcome
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Posted: 7/19/2005 12:34:11 PM EDT
[#34]
I would get the porn of the HD. You never know what might happen when they findout you have been look at naughty pictures.
Over dinner one night a friend was saying that he knew someone who had this girl from an online dating service e-mail him her pics while he was at work. The boss found them and called the FBI, who arrested him on child porn suspicion. (He was later cleared when the contacted her and found out she was 20) |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 12:35:14 PM EDT
[#35]
Please note: Step 2. Could be construded as Tampering with government property. Step 3 & 4 Would be called, Tampering, Damaging, and Destroying government property. You don't want Federal Charges against you. See a lawyer.. Have your lawyer handle the Transaction with the DoD. This Thread may cause you more problems than you think.  |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 12:47:00 PM EDT
[#36]
Trust me... I am not quick to react on things I see on the internet  There is still some good advise in here and I am simply looking for the few good pieces of advise that I might not have thought of... I am accustomed to working with Federal Agents as I deal with the FDA on a daily basis... just the DOD guys have bigger guns! |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 1:06:19 PM EDT
[#37]
Dump the data. Bend and burn the hard drive. Send your dogs to an out of town friends house.
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Posted: 7/19/2005 1:23:59 PM EDT
[#38]
Dont know if this has been mentioned. after a Low Level Format ALL data is gone, instead of ones and zeros it writes "null bits" the binary equivalent of no data. LLF may take days/hours but no data is recoverable after one.
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Posted: 7/19/2005 1:30:56 PM EDT
[#39]
I'd format a and reinstall windows a couple times. copy over a few gigs of pron or whatever, encrypt it with pgp, use pgp's wipe utility, format again. then use fdisk to delete the partition info, rebuild multiple small partitions, then wipe all the partitions out and give it back in an un partitioned state
and they better pay you the full amount that you paid and have proof it's really theirs |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 1:31:57 PM EDT
[#40]
Cal me stupid... how do I do that? |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 1:38:43 PM EDT
[#41]
FDISK from a DOS prompt... WD, Maxtor and Seagate all have free utils to do this. One question though: are you SURE that the person(s) who contacted you are from the gov? eg: legit |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 1:42:39 PM EDT
[#42]
.mil and .gov sell literally tons of computers. The one thing they do is remove the HD's.
It sounds to me like either somebody stole the computer from the gov, or it was inadvertintly sold with the HD. If it was stolen, it is still .gov property and destroying the HD could get you in some serious shit! If it was mistakenly sold without the HD being pulled, all they should really want is the HD. No biggy. Just erase it and use a wipe program. That's all they want to do anyways. I really don't think you want to try and keep the HD from them or try to replace it. It will have a serial number from Dell. If that doesn't match....you could be implicated in something that may require your presence at Gitmo. Just run the service tag number on Dells' website and see who bought the machine. I wouldn't give it up without ID, and paperwork proving .gov ownership. If it was a de-mil, just tell them you are willing to part with the HD. That should satisfy them. Good luck and keep us updated.....oh....kick Abduls ass while your in Gitmo for me...thanks! 
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Posted: 7/19/2005 1:44:47 PM EDT
[#43]
If I were you, I'd backup all my data, delete all files, use a freeware program called PGP, it comes with a utility called PGP wipe. 
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Posted: 7/19/2005 1:46:20 PM EDT
[#44]
pull the hard drive, and replace it with a cheap one.
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Posted: 7/19/2005 1:54:53 PM EDT
[#45]
Doesn't Norton Utilities have a "wipe file" program that can be used on the entire drive?
It doesn't simply write null spaces on every part of the drive, but it writes 0's and 1's multiple times on each space to ensure the previous data is compeletely unrecoverable. Advertised as wiping clean to some Mil-Spec I believe. Dave |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 2:02:14 PM EDT
[#46]
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Posted: 7/19/2005 2:17:02 PM EDT
[#47]
Not for unclassified, some secret and even some SIPRNET computers.
I installed Navy computers, when we were done the old computers were taken to a computer "mind meld" farm where they were low level formatted, then wiped with a DOD program (that might have been mentioned here ) 11 times, then hooked up to a LAN and wiped one more time and then loaded up with Windows 2K professional.Then the computers were sold via the DOD and the contractor on base at their office. They came certificates of ownership from the DOD and a form that stated that the hard drive had been wiped IAW the required Navy regs. They also came with information stating that there was no guarentee or warrentee from the DOD, the manufacturer or the OS manufacturer for the computer. They were selling one year old Dell laptops (2003) for about $500 under the retail price.
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Posted: 7/19/2005 2:41:28 PM EDT
[#48]
Do the above. 
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Posted: 7/19/2005 2:43:18 PM EDT
[#49]
shot the hard drive.
Sgat1r5 |
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Posted: 7/19/2005 2:54:56 PM EDT
[#50]
Pull the HDD and physically destroy it. Magnet, then multiple rounds of .223 or .308. Tell the Feds it came to you without HDD, thus you supplied your own and chose to remove it.
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