Dear nemoryer,
Blackmirror's list of how to burn a HD is too good! I would have suggested a better way,if not for the other excellent remedies offered above.
A very senior, big-hearted and respected member of this site is "hewee". He has ways to piece together computer junks together and make them usable and gives them away to kids/folks who need one. Since i know your apprehensions about your personal data getting out, i respect that. That's the reason why i suggested hewee, as he is the very last person to peep! Anyway, the waters have already flown under the bridge. I mourn the loss of your plant stand!
Impermanence is the rule in your planet!