Does a printer contain memory (disposing of a printer)?

When you want to get rid of yoru printer, do you have to worry about it having memory (like your computer)? What about all the items you scanned, faxed etc (credit card info, etc), is there any record of it on there?

Or can you just dispose of it (such as recycling center)?

Message edited 4/5/2009 8:19:03 PM.

Re: Does a printer contain memory (disposing of a printer)?

For the Department of Defense, most printers are considered "cleaned" if you print a few blank documents (mainly inkjet printers). Some laser printers have a memory, and the DofD has to physically destroy them.

However, someone would have to spend thousands of dollars and tons of hours trying to get any type of data off of a printer. It's not easy to get to (if you print some blank, or non-vital pages first), and not worth anyone's time.

Re: Does a printer contain memory (disposing of a printer)?

You always have the answers. I just knew you would respond.

Thank you

Re: Does a printer contain memory (disposing of a printer)?

To clarify for anyone else with the same concerns... it's really only commercial printers that have a potential issue. Some of them have hard drives, and just like a computer, you have to dispose of them properly, depending on the data that might be on them. Personal printers rarely have hard drives, so just the fact that they are turned off is enough to clear basically everything off.