I didn't know where to post this so move it if necessary, but I had a similar (same?) question. I have an old laptop that is dead, like it will turn on for about 5-10 seconds and then burns out again. There's nothing I can do to it myself and it was going to cost way too much to send it in to get looked at. Is there any way to retrieve off of such a laptop? I never really paid much attention or cared well for this last laptop, so I don't know if the data was backed up anywhere. Is there anything that will either retrieve whatever was in the computer, or delete it altogether? I'm not overly concerned about getting the files/data back for myself, but I was considering selling it on ebay for whatever I could in parts. I don't want anyone else being able to go into it and get all my information. any ideas? thanks