Posted on 02/26/2009 9:00:20 PM PST by Paleo Conservative
Last Friday morning when I got to the office, I found that my computer had the infamous Microsoft Blue Screen of Death. I tried rebooting, but the SCSI card got no response from my boot drive. This wasn't a huge problem, because I had already intended to upgrade my system drive and already had my data partitions copied to the new drive. After a little work I was able to restore a recent enough backup of my system drive to my new system drive and get the computer runing again.
My problem now is how do I destroy the data that still exists on the hard drive platters so they can't be read and recovered by anyone else even someone with access to a clean room who could fix the drive well enough to read any data that still exists on them. I've considered using my bulk eraser to erase the data that still exists and then using an electric drill to put holes in the platters.
I had that happen a few years back - I took it into a small computer place and they charged me $50. Come to think of it, it was more than a few years ago - 1986 or so - might be more now... Oh well, nevermind. ( But do call around - some places might need the work)
Won't putting a hard drive in a microwave start a fire?
The most important thing to remember is don't write anything to the old hard disk if you get it running again. Only read from it.
Another option you could consider is backing up data to online backup services.
DRAINO
Ummm..., a lot of “alien hunters” are going to be upset with you... LOL...
Give the drive to John Kerry and have him put it with his Form 180. It will never be seen again.
Well, you will read about those who have “first-hand knowledge” of the aliens, themselves, and I’m talking about here on Free Republic.... :-) ... [no..., I’m not one of them... LOL...]
Not only that, I’ve talked to (i.e., posted here in “conversation”) with some who have direct knowledge of the specialized flying craft that these aliens have. (Again, that’s not me... ).
It’s one thing to dismiss something that is second and third-hand down the line, but I just don’t say anything about those who are claiming first-hand knowledge... (not much to say, actually...)...
And I’m not trying to convince you one way or another. I’m just saying that from “where I’m sitting” — there are a lot of conflicting details... LOL...
Back on topic, the best way to wipe a dead hard drive is with an interociter.
Hard Drive Destroyer
Secure, Easy, Media Destruction
Your Best Choice For Media Destruction
Destroying old media, such as hard drives, CDs, and backup tapes is a fact of life in the IT industry. You're responsible for the proper disposal of sensitive data. Overwriting and degaussing hard drives is not enough. To be sure that all data are irrecoverable, physical destruction of the medium is the only viable choice. Smashing a drive with a sledgehammer, or putting it in a hydraulic press is a lot of fun -- until you've done it a dozen times. We offer an alternative - you simply ship your media to us, on our dime, and we'll put it through an industrial shredder. When it comes out the other side, it will be a pile of tiny pieces to be recycled.
Quick and Easy.
Step 1 - Print your shredding labelStep 2 - Schedule your pickup
Step 3 - Your hard drive is shredded and recycled
Step 4 - You receive a certificate of destruction Affordable.
Our shredders go through 20,000 lbs of hard drives an hour. This speed allows us to give you the most economical option for hard drive shredding.
Secure.
Your drives are shredded in facility certified AAA by the National Association of Information Destruction (NAID). This is the highest level certification awarded in the industry. You can track your drives from the time they are picked up until they are destroyed. Once destroyed you are sent a certificate of destruction as proof the job was completed. It's the Law.
The data stored on magnetic media are covered by privacy laws including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA). The law requires covered entities to destroy all customer data before the drives are thrown out.
Recycling.
Many people shred hard drives but then fail to dispose of them in accordance with EPA regulations for hazardous waste. We make sure that everything that can be recycled is and what little is left is disposed of correctly
Cheap? Not hardly, LOL. I can do a lot with 20 bucks, besides giving it away.
That sounds good, but if I were a government spook looking to browse through the data remains of somebody’s discarded hard drive, I’d set up a company just like that.
"Smashing a drive with a sledgehammer, or putting it in a hydraulic press is a lot of fun -- until you've done it a dozen times. We offer an [$20.00] alternative..."
You would only have to physically destroy ONE, no? Save your money and just pretend that your hard drive represents the morons who voted for Obama. You will not only save cash, but relieve some stress.
You said — “Don’t be silly. There aren’t any aliens.”
Well..., in my posts, you’ll note that I didn’t say that I believed it... (just that there are a lot of conflicting reports... and it’s hard to say something to a person who says “I saw it myself...” — as I said, “not much to say in that case...”).
That would be great... until the first time that the gov decided that it was in the interest of National Security to get a warrant and confiscate all those drives. Or one of their employees get nosy about the reason someone wants to shred the drive and goes on a hunting exposition.
Unless I could carry it there and drop it in the shredder myself, I would not feel comfortable that it remains private.
Good find tho.
Actually I have several old drives sitting around the office, waiting for disposal. The webpage says that I can dispose of up to 8 drives for $30 which is just 50% more than the single drive price. This means I don't even have to bother with hooking up those drives to a working computer to run a program to wipe all data off the drives. The time saved is much more valuable than the fee, plus the hard drives get recycled rather than burried in a land fill.
I'd be more worried if my competitors got to it. I seriously doubt a terrorist would trust such a service.
Depends on what is wrong with the drive.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.