2007-01-02 06:29:21 · 6 answers · asked by jujubie 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
the hard drive has already been 'detached' from the PC so I want to destroy it. I don't imagine my refrigerator magnets are sufficient to wipe it out, what type of magnet are we talking about?
2007-01-02 07:21:36 · update #1
Try harddrivedestroyer.com. They are the cheapest option I have found.
2007-01-03 03:50:34 · answer #1 · answered by Shred Guy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One effective way is to take a large-caliber handgun or rifle and shoot it full of holes.
If that isn't an option, you could take a standard-head screwdriver and pry the hard drive open, extract the magnets, pull out the platters, and use the magnets to wipe the data from the platters. You can keep the magnets for use with your refrigerator or other uses where a strong magnet would be handy.
2007-01-02 06:33:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the drive is still working, there are utilities that you can download or buy that will erase the contents of the disk. (Formatting the drive does not actually get rid of data on EVERY track, it just gets rid of the file markers so it looks like the data has been erased...)
If the drive is no longer working properly, you can hit it with a hammer, drop it in salt water for a few minutes, and/or leave a heavy duty magnet sitting on top of it overnight.
Unless this drive contains your budget, credit cards, or company info on it, it is unlikely anyone will take the time to try and repair the data tracks and grab your private files...there are much simpler ways to gather info on you, such as stealing pay stubs or other items from your garbage cans.
2007-01-02 06:37:09 · answer #3 · answered by SteveN 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Magnets don't usually work as there are some high "powered" magnets in the hard drive casing that help the head move.
What I do is take the drive apart (using a small torx screw driver) and scratch up the plates (don't forget they're double sided).
Once you've scratched to your heart's content, you can chuck it in any trash can.
2007-01-07 14:50:22 · answer #4 · answered by drsprite 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Barring the use of Handguns or tools, there are companies who do office shredding who will shred your hard drives. Our contact will shred any number of hard drives for a flat fee. This is becuse we have a contract on paper shredding.
If that is not feasable, use a drill press to run a hole through the drive, and each of the platters.
2007-01-02 06:37:49 · answer #5 · answered by Marvinator 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to totally kill the drive, you need to place it in a degausser. If that is not available. Do seven passes with either KILLDISK or G-DISK. That is supposed to satisfy Federal regs. And its what we do for disposal of drives. The Degausser is generally the weapon of choice for killing drives, although a KILLDISK before degaussing will be the best.
2007-01-02 07:04:24 · answer #6 · answered by Mictlan_KISS 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋