destroying a hard drive

[hobsonbear]

what is the best way to destroy (deliberately) a hard drive? i have a new pc and know that there is information, finances etc on the old pc which is no longer connected to a monitor or keyboard. do i take it apart and break it up? i don't want to transfer the files across as it is possibly full of viruses, i don't even know what a hard drive looks like!

many thanks

[vehelpfulguy]

A hard drive will look like this (silver box about 6 inches by 4 inches)

http://www.mysuperpc.com/hard_drive_wd1200jb_front.jpg

There are software programs that can overwrite everything on a hard drive if the hard drive is worth saving.

If not remove the hard drive (usually 4 screws, 2 each side) plus the cables from the back, then hit it hard with a hammer.a few times.

That should do the trick.

[Ethel]

This very thing was discussed ain-depth on last night's Gadget Show (Channel 5).

They said that apart from physically removing it and beating it with a hammer, the only sure way to destroy files is to use expensive software (over �100).

The cheaper software is not up to the job, apparently.

The show is repeated over the weekend.

[lightoftruth]

one way to completly wipe a hard drive(apart from smashing it) is to place a high powered magnet around the hard drive (turns all the 1 to 0). If your woried about things like shadows and the police then blasting your computer with an EMP (you'll have to do your own research on that) will do the job in seconds.

[peanut42]

http://gadgetshow.five.tv/index.htm

[OBonio]

Microwave it.

[Fitzer]

The 'only' (according to a disk recovery guy who I sent a drive to) way to ensure that it can't be read is to software erase the disk as discussed before and then chuck it in a furnace. Drilling a hole in the platters will only damage the data where the hole is, the platters can be taken separately from the spindle and mounted again. Unless you expect the government to be interested in your data the 'wipe it and bend it' option will prevent anyone else from accessing it.

[fo3nix]

BTW, the article at the gadget show website talks a lot of crap.

Free, very secure, file wipers are available that will certainly do the job. Though of course, if you don't need the drive then chuck it in a fire (ideally take it apart and put the tape itself in).

[jenstar]

Take an electric sander to it.

[peanut]

Throw it in the river, by the time its found it will be worthless.

[hobsonbear]

many thanks everyone. i'll get the hammer out at the weekend, sounds like fun! husband is very paranoid about personal data so everything is minced, burned or destroyed.