Best Way To Destroy Data on Hard Disk Drive

[Bob111]

Quote from GTS:

I actually tried this with an ordinary electric drill and its not easy/fast. There is a large amount of metal in the hard drive case, presumably to act as a heat sink so its pretty tough on the drill bit to drill through.

I found it much easier to remove the screws on the drive, open the case and then go to town on the platters directly.

i've tried this too. with decent drill and bit,designed to drill through the metal it does take <30 sec.open HD and either scratch platters or drill through them will also work, but takes a bit more time

 

[jjf]

Download CyberSchrub (free trial) and set level to Gutman (35 random passes)

Follow the instructions carefully and delete the disk in 35 random passes and then remove CyberScrub.

It will take a while but it can run whilst you sleep

 

[Ivanovich]

If you can find a relatively powerful magnet (electromagnetic is the best) and expose the drive to it, that'll be the end of it.

 

[hdawg87]

I know that on a Mac you can choose to rewrite random data over the drive up to 32 times, basically making most data unrecoverable. I would try to find something like the for a PC.

 

[gnome]

Quote from hdawg87:

I know that on a Mac you can choose to rewrite random data over the drive up to 32 times, basically making most data unrecoverable. I would try to find something like the for a PC.

"Eraser" software is free and has that as an option.

http://www.heidi.ie/node/6

 

[stevegee58]

I'll cast the third vote for dban

It's free and excellent. Yes, I actually do use it.

 

[Wayne Gibbous]

Best way to destroy your HD?

Let your wife use the computer and install a "pretty screen saver"!

 

[377OHMS]

Quote from Ivanovich:

If you can find a relatively powerful magnet (electromagnetic is the best) and expose the drive to it, that'll be the end of it.

Ding! We have a winner. EM is the best way. I have this huge solenoid around here somewhere.

I'm kinda partial to running the platter through the mulcher/chipper.

 

[gnome]

Quote from 377OHMS:

"... I'm kinda partial to running the platter through the mulcher/chipper.

If your HDD ever had Top Secret information on it, one of only 2 approved ways to destroy the data... that and burning.

 

[blackjack007]

Quote from CPTrader:

Hello friends,

I need to destroy the data on my HDD ASAP and do it in a way that I am FULLY ASSURED the data on the drive can't be accessed.


Urgent responses most appreciated.

the urgency of this post suggests nefarious intent.

anyway, i'd open the case, then smash the platters with a sledge hammer then burn them with a propane torch then run them over a large speaker magnet then pour toilet bowl cleaner on them