Computer Related > Scrapping old computers	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: FocalPoint	Replies: 15

New Mon 29 Nov 10 13:20   Scrapping old computers - FocalPoint

I'm in the process of getting rid of two old computers and am attempting to destroy the hard drives. So far, after a struggle, I've got into two hard drives and find what appear to be shiny metal disks. Is it enough to seriously deform these, or do I need to take further steps before I take them to recycling? Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 29 Nov 10 13:25   Scrapping old computers - Zero

Just wang them one with a hammer so they don't spin. Seriously, you have gone way way way overboard. There is nothing on your hard drives that warrants this level of destruction Next time just use a free overwriting utility. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 29 Nov 10 14:19   Scrapping old computers - Stuartli

See: tinyurl.com/254n4r2 www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2009/08/20/pc-pros-top-10-hard-disk-destruction-methods/ www.ontrackdatarecovery.co.uk/data-disasters-2006/ (Number 5 in particular). Howeverl, as Zero points out, unless you have absolutely vital or secret data on a hard drive, overwrite it or similar method. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 29 Nov 10 14:41   Scrapping old computers - Tooslow

That takes forever. I just use a sledgehammer. But if you do decide on the overwrite route, and at the risk of appearing boring, the Swiss Army Knife of software utilities (aka CCleaner) does it, if you have the current version. John Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 29 Nov 10 15:45   Scrapping old computers - RattleandSmoke

I usualy try and bend the platters and then scratch them as much as possible. I then put a magnet to them. I then tell the customer to despose of each platter at different times. Software is far too boring. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 29 Nov 10 18:29   Scrapping old computers - rtj70

We securely scrapped the hard disks of director's computers at a bank once - customer was not happy with software overwriting these. It was for directors only though. As an end of project gift we all got a hard disk in a Perspex (TM) case with the insides on show. I bet if you fired them up they still worked ;-) I think I still have mine. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 29 Nov 10 18:30   Scrapping old computers - rtj70

And most platters are glass and not metal... so a hammer should smash them I guess? Never tried. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 29 Nov 10 18:34   Scrapping old computers - Zero

A surprising number are still spun aluminium. Don't forget these are old computers., Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 29 Nov 10 18:43   Scrapping old computers - rtj70

True. It's the newer ones in recent years that use glass platters. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 29 Nov 10 18:48   Scrapping old computers - RattleandSmoke

Glass were mostly used for 2.5" drives I have not actually seen a 3.5" drive with glass platters yet but then destroying hard drives is not something I do that often, I usualy tell the clients to keep the drive some where secure just in case. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 15 Dec 10 18:10   Scrapping old computers - Pat

Belt and braces Rattle:) Pat Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 29 Nov 10 18:50   Scrapping old computers - L'escargot

>> But if you do decide on the overwrite route, and at the risk of appearing >> boring, the Swiss Army Knife of software utilities (aka CCleaner) does it, if you have >> the current version. I've just updated CCleaner to the latest version. If I use Drive Wiper, what happens to CCleaner? Is it the last thing to be deleted? Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 29 Nov 10 19:45   Scrapping old computers - Zero

It wont wipe the drive letter its booted from. If you want to wipe that, boot it from a cd or usb stick Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 15 Dec 10 11:20   Scrapping old computers - FocalPoint

Quite by chance, I came across the following. Very satisfying to watch the video! www.kmdltd.com/services/21/on-site-media-destruction Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 15 Dec 10 11:31   Scrapping old computers - Tooslow

Spectacular result but a sledgehammer is SO much more satisfying. John Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 15 Dec 10 17:15   Scrapping old computers - Clk Sec

>>Quite by chance, I came across the following. Very satisfying to watch the video! A nice little side-line for Rattle, perhaps. I've got one in the loft that needs sorting. Reply to this message | Report message