hard drive destruction

[WDE91]

I was wondering what the best way to destroy a hard drive is?
I want quick,easy and mess free

They are in some old broken computers that need to get tossed
the data isnt top secret or craziness like that but still needs to get destroyed

Someone suggested running magnets over the computer and that would render the hard drive dead.

Thank you

[bigbearbear]

The best way is to send them for shredding. My employer does this when our customers return their servers for upgrades/replacement.

We use this company: http://www.esolutionsusa.com/index.php

It is not expensive, I think mostly because they can sell your shredded HDD as scrap metal and prices for scrap is pretty high at the moment.

[nothinghere2c]

yeah if you've got a lot of them you need disposed off its probably easiest to send them away for shredding like bigbear suggests.

if its just a couple drives you need to wipe you could use DBan's bootable cd and shred the data electronically. Assuming the drives still function.

[therealnickb]

Big drill bit & small sledge hammer.

[rplusplus]

I have a rock hammer... pointy end does a great job. If you dont have one a cheap #2 phillips and a hammer works just as well.

[Dubious_Beans]

I was wondering what the best way to destroy a hard drive is?
I want quick,easy and mess free

9mm & 45ACP both work fine and don't really make that big of a mess.

[ElDub1950]

It would have to be a huge magnet to have any affect just 'running it over the computer'. Most people don't have an electro magnet big enough, laying around.

If you just have a few, rip the hard drives out and smack em with a sledge hammer. Since it's not top secret critical data that someone would be willing to spend thousands of dollars to piece back together, that's sufficient.

If you have dozens or hundreds bigbears suggestion is best.

On the other hand, the United Way campaign is in full swing. Offer employees a chance to smash computers with a sledge hammer for a buck a swing and donate the money. You'll be surprised at how many people will give $5 to smash a computer!

[stilly]

I was wondering what the best way to destroy a hard drive is?
I want quick,easy and mess free

They are in some old broken computers that need to get tossed
the data isnt top secret or craziness like that but still needs to get destroyed

Someone suggested running magnets over the computer and that would render the hard drive dead.

Thank you

Depends on your personality.

Are you a hoarder or a "frugal" type? If so then dissassemble them. You get to get a few small screws that you can possibly use to fix things like glasses or laptops or just hold in a pill bottle for a rainy day. AND the best part is that you get to get some WICKED strong magnets. Then when you are done you can dump the leftover parts into a box for recylcing the metal or just toss it all in the garbage.

Are you a neat guy that does things by the book? If so then get a good software wiping program that wipes per DOD spec xxxx and run it, it will take a while - like several hours or longer per drive possibly, but you can rest assured that you did your part, when you are done, put the drives into a computer case with a motherboard and other parts and sell it or give it to a library if they collect e-waste. You might get a tax write off too.

Are you a REAL cal gunner? Take them to the range and adjust them with an ak or AR. I adjusted my Belkin Omniport pro with my Deagle 44 and made a movie for you tube about it.

Personally, it is in your best interest to take them apart, remove the magnets and then maybe save the platters and chuck all else. The platters are what you need and you can destroy them at a range or tie string to them and hang them in your trees to scare away the birds.

GL & HF!

[Intimid8tor]

Big drill bit & small sledge hammer.

That's about it. When I worked for a bank going through conversion, when the drives were pulled they were drilled right through the plates. Shattered the plates and kept from making too much of a mess. Not sure if they went to shredding after that or some sort of recycler.

[Casual_Shooter]

Depends on your personality.

Are you a hoarder or a "frugal" type? If so then dissassemble them. You get to get a few small screws that you can possibly use to fix things like glasses or laptops or just hold in a pill bottle for a rainy day. AND the best part is that you get to get some WICKED strong magnets. Then when you are done you can dump the leftover parts into a box for recylcing the metal or just toss it all in the garbage.

^ This is what I do. I disassemble them and scratch/ bend etc the platters.

Strong magnets.... ha ha ha! I've got two sets in my desk that I'm keeping for "something". Not sure what, but they're too "useful" to throw out.

[Turo]

^ This is what I do. I disassemble them and scratch/ bend etc the platters.

Strong magnets.... ha ha ha! I've got two sets in my desk that I'm keeping for "something". Not sure what, but they're too "useful" to throw out.

Do what I did and make a pistol mount!
I screwed two of the magnets into the bottom of my desk (one was strong enough, but two made it extra secure) I covered them with cloth so they didn't scratch the finish.



Yes, that's a fully loaded Glock 20sf in 10mm.

The Glock actually holds tight enough that you have to twist the gun a tad to get it to loosen up.


The 1911 doesn't hold as securely because of the rounded top of the slide, but it still holds.

[yellowsulphur]

Encrypt with cascading ciphers.

[bohoki]

yea a drill press is easiest

[Kyle1886]

I do like Turo, and salvage the magnets. If you have a lot, that might get a bit tedious though.

Note: not all the magnets are the same size, small to large and powerful.

Kyle

[Bangzoom]

sledge hammer is the quickest and easiest...now if you want to save the mags take them apart