2006-06-19 17:54:37 · 12 answers · asked by Eagle F 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
A few magnets will do the trick.... even a really large scientific one.
2006-06-19 17:59:09 · answer #1 · answered by king_shafto 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The only way to effectively destroy it to guarantee that the data can't be recovered is to smash it with a large hammer.
Magnets will NOT work; hard drives are shielded against stray magnetic fields. (If they weren't, a CRT monitor would wipe out the drive.)
Dunking it in water won't help. I've sent off drives that were submerged in water and oil for extended periods of time and got ALL of the data back.
Burning may not help either. We got over 90% of the data back on a drive that was in a fire. It was hot enough that the outside cover of the drive had started to soften and sag. The circuit card on the underside was almost completely burned away.
Data recovery services have even recovered much data from drives that were shot with a gun, though that was only a single, small caliber shot.
Hammer time!
BTW, that is the ONLY way that the Federal government approves for destruction of data on highly classified computer systems. Once you've done that, it's safe to toss out in the trash.
2006-06-19 18:17:51 · answer #2 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Technically data can be recovered from just about any hard drive, for maximum security follow these steps.
step 1 encrypt all data on the drive
step 2 fill the drive with random information and files
step 3 break open the drive now, take out the platters, get the biggest electro magnet you can find and wipe them clean. Proceed to smash them into a thousand bits and seperate at will. now thats security.
2006-06-19 17:59:14 · answer #3 · answered by Rendored 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you think you have valuable data just chuck it in an oven at about 350 degrees for 10 mins. The disk is made of the same medium as a cassette tape. It is impregnated with iron oxide, otherwise known as rust. A little heat will melt the disk.
2006-06-19 17:58:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never tried.
Maybe a combination of throwing it at a brick wall, sinking it in water, burning it, finding a dangerous chemical reaction on the Internet and throw it into it, and then introducing it to LARGE MAGNETS.
2006-06-19 17:59:16 · answer #5 · answered by Neil 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I don't have any explosives handy, then I prefer an acetylene torch, or failing that a good ol' 10 lb. sledge.
2006-06-19 17:59:49 · answer #6 · answered by eggman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Throw it up in the air and shoot it like a clay pidgeon. If you miss or see any large chunks fall, go find it/them and do it again.
2006-06-19 18:04:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope, info can still be recovered. I suggest introducing it to a large magnet.
2006-06-19 17:57:45 · answer #8 · answered by cyanne2ak 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont destroy your PC sent it to a hardware recycling center give it away eBay it donate it to charity
2006-06-19 20:15:08 · answer #9 · answered by guessisking 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a sledge hammer. literally destroy the drive and no one will be able to read your date EVER.
2006-06-19 17:58:07 · answer #10 · answered by Royb 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋