Destroying A Hard Drive

[Zacs-Master]

I disposed of two old computers over the weekend having removed the hard drives, I hit them several times with a sledge hammer 9which was, incidentaly, very theraputic!). They didn't break up but were badly damaged. Is there any way someone could get any info off them or am I ok to throw them in the bin?

[maggiebee]

Thanks Zacs, now I understand. Will be very careful when I dispose of my computer!

[Zacs-Master]

Ok CT, here's some independent evidence.....
http://www.le.ac.uk/ebulletin-archive/ebulletin/news/press-releases/2000-2009/2006/01/nparticle-vjb-475-rjd.html

[MrLomas]

See zacs what i'm saying, people are actually thanking you and believing you because of one link without doing their research first, unbelievable.

Well i'm off for supper so will just check all of my cctv cameras, alarms and make sure my computer's covered in tin foil as i hear that stops the satellites operated by fraudsters stealing your personal information.

Cheerio all.

[Zacs-Master]

Read my last link, please.

[Prudie]

Ask anyone who actually works in IT, they will confirm. You may be lucky but certainly foolhardy.

[ChuckFickens]

MrLamas has used and disposed of thousands of computers??

So what's the policy for disposal of these computers? because nobody has ever had to dispose of thousands of computers without there being a policy for the disposal!

and if you don't have a policy for disposing of that many computers then your opinion isn't worth listening to.

[Answerprancer]

There's no harm in destroying a HD it's quite fun actually. I helped a friend of mine (who repairs comps) destroy about ten once. There is often very sensitive information and there are very definitely people out there rummaging through rubbish etc who would love to get their hands on that info.
What is your beef with Zacs doing this MrL? You REALLY seem to be on one about it, are you some sort of vigilante?

[jomifl]

Why destroy an old hard drive? unless it is piddlin' small you can use it as a backup drive by putting it in a case (obtainable from ebay as per this example )
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Portable-USB-SATA-2-5-Hard-Disk-Drive-Enclosure-Case-/350704294376?pt=UK_Collectables_HardDriveEnclosures_RL&hash=item51a79ad9e8

[Answerprancer]

The reason I've destroyed old hard drives is mainly when they've showed signs of giving out eg. BSODing. I've destroyed them for the same reasons as most - personal information, bank details, addresses, details of my personal life.
There's nothing paranoid about that and it's been no big deal sorting it out.

[jomifl]

I think the bucket of salt water is the simplest idea, although how you are going to dispose of the water contaminated with rare earth metals is another problem.:-)

[tamborine]

all memories of my dad are with the Platters, dont harm them please

[hc4361]

Do people have bank details stored on their pc?
I've been using internet banking for years but still have to input security codes, pass phrases, 3 digit security numbers on the back of cards, mother's maiden name etc to get in to my bank accounts.

A strangely randomly finding an old hard drive of mine would have no chance of finding anything useful.

[Zacs-Master]

If you read my links, it would appear to be quite common.

[hc4361]

Anyone who does store such details on their drives would never think of destroying it.
After all, a pc can get stolen - that's always in the forefront of my mind. If I were burgled tonight and my pc stolen, what could the thief access?

[Cmitchell]

As someone else has said, get a power drill and drill loads of holes in it. Alternatively if you don't wanna risk sticking it in a microwave(I wouldn't but deffo works) then stick a really strong magnet near it. That is a sure fire thing to destroy all data on it - Oh and if you wanna know where to find a really strong magnet? Look in the back of a speaker!!! Enjoy! Mitchell

[EDDIE51]

Answerprancer, sorrry to hi jack the thread but if you are still into M42 len's I have a very rare Meyer Optik Gorlitz Primotar f3.5 50mm that i am about to list on ebay . The last one of these I got went to Israel for £150. I also have a Helios 44-2 , the 2nd series of the Helios 44 is generally acknowledged to be the sharpest of them all. My ebay ID edjeremy1951.

[wildwood]

A good hard rub with sandpaper, or even better an electric sander, will make the platter unusable.

I haven't tried it yet, but it must be very therapeutic to physically whack an old HDD with an hammer, specially if it has been giving you trouble.

[Cmitchell]

Nowadays sometimes 5 disks sandwiched toghether and the 5 reader arms go between them s(though you can't see where this would be_ so magnesising/drilling still the best and safest.

[EDDIE51]

If you have an open fire put it on that or on a bonfire when you burn garden rubbish. The heat will destroy it totally with no chance of getting the info off. A blast in a microwave on full power for 30 seconds of so will do it as well.

[RATTER15]

Bake it in the oven for a while on full power.