[JEJB]

I have a Western Digital 500GB hard drive that was part of a 1TG external hard drive set up in RAID1 configuration. I was getting error lights for this drive indicating it couldn't be read so I replaced it with a new one. The Terabyte drive runs fine now but I am stuck with this "useless" 500GB drive.

I hesitate to just throw it in the trash because I always worry about some super-geek who will dig it out and figure out a way to read my personal data. What can I do?

How can I permanently destroy the drive (or just the disk) itself. This thing is built like a tank and I wouldn't even know how to begin to open it.

Any thoughts? Thanks

[Lex.Luthor]

What you will need to do is this, if you can.

1. Install the drive as a second drive on a computer and see if you can read the data from it.

2. If you can read the data from it. There is an iso disk image called dban boot and nuke that you can use. It does work on the same principal as DOD eraser programs. This is a free program but it will cost you a cdr disk. You can "Write" the iso with IMG burner (also a free program).

If you do not want to boot and nuke iso, then you can format the hdd or delete all of the information from the hdd and goto www.piriform.com , there is a prog called recuva. Download and install the prog, it's free. Search the drive and when the files come up in the wizard, check all, right click, select delete all checked and the files will be gone forever.

After that, you might want to remove the drive and see of you can take it apart. Most hdd disk media is a type of metallic disk. This disk will be hard in density and very shiny. You should be able to "multilate" the disk and permantly destroy it, keeping your information safe.

[Lex.Luthor]

as far as opening it, remove the labels and see if there are any Torx screws. Sometimes MFG's like to use "case clips" or using the plastic tabs inside to keep the product together.

[1002richards]

Similar advice here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7816446.stm

Interesting, I think.

[Lex.Luthor]

Poor drives. I try to re-use them if necessary. All else fails, play taps and put it out of its "memory"

[JohnWill]

The simple way is with an 8# hammer. A few hits with that will insure that even the CIA couldn't get data off it.

[Lex.Luthor]

They are also great skeet shoot and sometime as a replacement for steel targets.

"There is no such thing as overkill."

[Blackmirror]

Give It to me i will burn it beyond recognition

like i do any thing i cook

[cwwozniak]

One word .... Thermite (jump to 2:45).

[JEJB]

Thank You - Thank You - Thank You

I have used dban successfully in the past but unfortunately I didn't have a free bay to install this drive in. My torq's were all too large so I fell back on brute strength. Using a chisel and a hammer I was able to separate the drives. Then I drilled a few holes in them, and scored them with a circular attachment for my drill that is designed for removing rust.

They look like crap. I think I have succeeded.

Thanks to all for your suggestions.

[valis]

Originally Posted by JEJB

Thank You - Thank You - Thank You

I have used dban successfully in the past but unfortunately I didn't have a free bay to install this drive in. My torq's were all too large so I fell back on brute strength. Using a chisel and a hammer I was able to separate the drives. Then I drilled a few holes in them, and scored them with a circular attachment for my drill that is designed for removing rust.

They look like crap. I think I have succeeded.

Thanks to all for your suggestions.

that may actually exceed the dod.m.

[JohnWill]

I believe IBM simply takes old drives and whacks them with a sledge to "retire" them, I suspect that's pretty effective.

[valis]

I know Iron Mountain shreds them; reckon that's gonna get it done as well.

[TechAddict]

Here another way:

1. Get the drive
2. Throw it hard on the ground.
3. Jump on it.
4. Repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 10 times.
5. Smash it with the back of a regular hammer.
6. Pound it with your fists.
7. Attach it to a rope.
8. Go outside with it.
9. Swing it all over the place!!!
10. Take off the rope.
11. Go inside.
12. Put all of the parts of the demolished hard drive in a container.
13. Fill it with water again and again and again. (Over a sink!!!)
14. Bring it back outside.
15. Take the parts out of the container.
16. Put on your driveway.
17. Drive all over it!
18. Go back inside.

And optionally... :

• Put it in a blender with water, A Sonic, McDonalds or Burger King cup, and paper. (Not recommended, I just thought of this.)
• Spit all over it.
• Smash it with a sledge hammer!
• If you have a unneeded PC with the hard drive, jam it in to the CD drive.
• Smack it with a rope, piece of paper, USB cord, shoe, or/and book. (If you choose rope, do outside please.)
• Throw it in a minefield. Actually, on second thought, don`t.

[TechAddict]

Originally Posted by TechAddict

...If you have a unneeded PC with the hard drive, jam it in to the CD drive...

Or the Blu-ray drive, random place in the case (Good place: fan Bad place: inside the PSU) or monitor.