Decommissioning a device

[Big Boy]

As many will have read, I have recently purchased a new tablet. Additionally, a few months back I upgraded/replaced the laptop permanently connected to the living room TV. I now have an old tablet and a laptop that work, albeit a bit slow, but they are still functional.

I've promised the tablet to a young girl living in Buriram and my daughter asked for the laptop yesterday, which I handed over. Both actions were without thinking it through.

I woke up in the night in a bit of a panic. I was very impressed when I was setting the new tablet up, that a simple log on brought all information across immediately. The problem I woke up with is the old devices are still synced, and will still receive e-mails, messages, etc., thinking they are still mine. I've foolishly checked the remember this password on everything, so even if I log out, any attempt to log back in, it will just throw up MY details.

Short of putting a hammer through both devices, is there any easy way to de-personalise these devices please?

[buksida]

You should always perform the factory reset before handing over or dumping any mobile devices. If she's nice (and doesn't want to hack your bank accounts) maybe you can instruct her how to do it. It would also be better for her not to have all your settings, accounts, and apps on it and have a clean device to work from.

https://www.lifewire.com/reset-samsung-tablet-5220576

I'll be doing the same this week as my son wants my old mobile (which still works perfectly and was part of the reason for the upgrade).

A laptop is a little trickier as it'll need deep cleaning or better still, a format and Windows reinstall.

[Big Boy]

Thank you, that's great advice regarding the tablet. I have no worries regarding the new owner, but its extended family that I don't trust.

With the lappie, that sounds like something Mr. Don could do for a few Baht. The laptop was actually recovered as it was being thrown out about 6 years ago. My DIL grabbed it, and I took it to Mr. Don to have the same thing done back then. It should be simple.

[hhinner]

Thank you, that's great advice regarding the tablet. I have no worries regarding the new owner, but its extended family that I don't trust.

With the lappie, that sounds like something Mr. Don could do for a few Baht. The laptop was actually recovered as it was being thrown out about 6 years ago. My DIL grabbed it, and I took it to Mr. Don to have the same thing done back then. It should be simple.

Will you watch him do it? Or are you that trusting?

[georgy]

Assuming that you are using a google account on that tablet you can reset it remotely.
https://www.google.com/android/find/
select the table from that site and reset it

[HHTel]

but its extended family that I don't trust.

I think many of us can relate to that!!

[Big Boy]

I've at last got around to decommissioning my old tablet. The buksi solution had me pulling what little hair I have out. Nothing wrong with the solution - confirmed by both Google and several YouTube videos. I think the tablet was simply too old.

I then moved to the georgy solution:

Assuming that you are using a google account on that tablet you can reset it remotely.
https://www.google.com/android/find/
select the table from that site and reset it

What an easy way to do it (once I'd remembered my password, etc. from 12 years ago ). It told me exactly where the tablet was, battery levels, etc. There was an option on my laptop to reset to Factory Settings. Hit the button, and a few minutes later it was job done. Brilliant - thank you georgy. That old tablet is going to Buriram tomorrow, and will make a little girl very happy.

[404cameljockey]

BB your first message didn't specify the operating system. I guessed Mac or Android. Rookie mistake though...

All tablets do usually give you a simple option to reset to factory conditions. Anyway glad you got it sorted.

Does your tablet have Thai/English keys? Just curious. I have a few old Windows laptops I'd like to give away, although I always keep the last one in case of emergency. But, no Thai characters (Arabic though, mabrouk!) and doubt I could get a set. I could replace myself if I could get them, but it's old.

Otherwise I know it's sometimes possible to get a clear plastic overlay, but mapping the keys first time must be a headache.

[Big Boy]

Does your tablet have Thai/English keys? Just curious. I have a few old Windows laptops I'd like to give away, although I always keep the last one in case of emergency. But, no Thai characters (Arabic though, mabrouk!) and doubt I could get a set. I could replace myself if I could get them, but it's old.

Otherwise I know it's sometimes possible to get a clear plastic overlay, but mapping the keys first time must be a headache.

Are we confusing tablet with something else? I'm not a huge tablet user, but my tablets have always been like giant smartphones, where a keyboard is displayed as required - normally a quick finger swipe changes language.

[404cameljockey]

Yes I was getting confused. Although there are laptops where you can detach the physical keyboard to make a pure tablet. I'm just clutching at straws here though.