Can you read data on old RAM modules?

[Napoleon]

I want to sell some old RAM from the Mac - but would it be possible for a buyer to read any data on them, or are they effectively empty?

[spider]

By its nature it requires power to keep its contents.

Certain ancient types 4614's etc required three voltages and if I remember correctly a constant refresh of the clock signal to keep their contents.

But no to answer your question, unless its some kind of flash ram then it won't keep its contents. Upon initialisation (bootup) the ram is tested which involves writing a pattern to it anyway.

I'm assuming you mean ram as in memory modules...

[CitroJim]

If you have the resources of GCHQ, the CIA and the NSA behind you then possibly you can but for all intents and purposes at a practical level, the answer is no.

[Napoleon]

I'll stick 'em on ebay then!

Thanks for the clarification.

[spider]

I was not aware it was possible to read data from ram modules, magnetic media is different naturally.

I remember trying a few years back with a 5.25 floppy by offsetting it very slightly to see if anything was there although not having any kit (was more a bit of fun than anything else to see how it worked) similar principle to analysis of a hard drive I guess.

[myglaren]

There is a huge pile of NLRQ electrical gear in one of our factory units.
I was working in there and my line manager was with me when one of the directors came in (snooping)
Manager asked about slinging the stuff in the skip, director told him it had to be recycled by specialists and the RAM in the computers destroyed as it held possible sensitive customer data.
And he is supposed to be in charge of IT

I chucked three tons of unopened brochures away a couple of months ago - also supposed to be recycled but they ignored that.
Also about three tons of old customer files with any amount of data on them that could be used by unscrupulous third parties.
When I mentioned this he said I shouldn't be looking but it was all burned anyway - which it isn't, it goes in landfill sites.

He wasn't too happy when I told him that the managing director had chucked a load of TVs, microwaves and a couple of fridges in one of the previous skips.
The skip lorry driver kicked them out as - rightly enough they do have to be dealt with in a particular way.
They just got buried in the next skip.

Industrial strength flytippers