How to make SURE that the data on a HDD is not recoverable!!!

[Mark R]

If the information you have is genuinely confidential, then you could discuss what to do with the manufactuer.

Some manufacturers are willing to work with people that handle strictly confidential data and form an individual arrangement. E.g. manufacturer agrees for customer to destroy drive to their satisfaction, and RMA the remains as proof that the drive as been destroyed.

 

[shortylickens]

Originally posted by: ExarKun333
burn it...a good friend of mine worked as a data recovery guy...its amazing what data they can get even after reformating...burn it into oblivion

Thats what we do in the Navy.
Incinerate it. Actually watch it burn. You'll sleep well at night.

 

[Texun]

Since common items won't erase the data without obvious damage your options are actually very limited. If you can't feel comfortable returning it on the hunch that it won't end up being read then you really ought to just eat the loss and physically destroy it. You'll be out the $$ but you won't ever have to worry about it.

 

[eelw]

Originally posted by: Mark R
If the information you have is genuinely confidential, then you could discuss what to do with the manufactuer.

Some manufacturers are willing to work with people that handle strictly confidential data and form an individual arrangement. E.g. manufacturer agrees for customer to destroy drive to their satisfaction, and RMA the remains as proof that the drive as been destroyed.

What manufacturer allows this???

 

[tiap]

Originally posted by: Texun
Since common items won't erase the data without obvious damage your options are actually very limited. If you can't feel comfortable returning it on the hunch that it won't end up being read then you really ought to just eat the loss and physically destroy it. You'll be out the $$ but you won't ever have to worry about it.

Sounds like the best choice. Surely your data is worth > $200.00

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Take the drives apart. Take the platters out and dump it in 12M H2SO4. It's done pal.

 

[stevem326]

Originally posted by: DLeRium
Take the drives apart. Take the platters out and dump it in 12M H2SO4. It's done pal.

Um, what is 12M H2SO4? And how can I get some?

Actually, I don't need any...I'm just curious what it is. Thanks.

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

Originally posted by: stevem326

Originally posted by: DLeRium
Take the drives apart. Take the platters out and dump it in 12M H2SO4. It's done pal.

Um, what is 12M H2SO4? And how can I get some?

Hydrogen sulfate, or as it's more commonly known "battery acid"

12M refers to its molarity or its concentration (bigger number = stronger)

 

[stevem326]

Cool, thanks. I figured it was something along those lines!

 

[Varun]

Originally posted by: eelw

Originally posted by: Mark R
If the information you have is genuinely confidential, then you could discuss what to do with the manufactuer.

Some manufacturers are willing to work with people that handle strictly confidential data and form an individual arrangement. E.g. manufacturer agrees for customer to destroy drive to their satisfaction, and RMA the remains as proof that the drive as been destroyed.

What manufacturer allows this???

Where I work we have an agreement with HP that any server drives that die will be destroyed, and they send us a new one by the next day. I've never heard of this for an individual, however if you called the company and explained the situation they may be willing to do the same thing.

 

[imported_booradley]

If its that big of a deal, don't RMA the drive. Obviously this data is worth more than the drive to you, so just cut your losses and replace it.

 

[eelw]

Originally posted by: Varun
Where I work we have an agreement with HP that any server drives that die will be destroyed, and they send us a new one by the next day. I've never heard of this for an individual, however if you called the company and explained the situation they may be willing to do the same thing.

Ahh, that makes sense, it's a corporate contract thing. There's no way they will allow consumers to do the same thing.

 

[kongs]

Thats exactly what I thought dainthomas...It looks like someone has commited some sort of crime

 

[lOnGjOhN]

why does it matter?

You got something to hide?

 

[twitchee2]

sledge hammer anyone? oo maybe a giante axe. that would work too.

 

[Novaoblivion]

how about a throwing it in the Microwave for a little while lol.

 

[DaFinn]

Hmm, there is some of my company data which will get my booty kicked if it gets into wrong hands. This is my home laptop, so the data should not be there in the first place. I've done some work from home and transferred data that I needed there.

Other than that, there are nude photos of my wife, which I don't want to see in teh interweb a week after RMA

---> New drive it is, thanks for all "interesting" suggestion on data destruction...

 

[ImaNihilist]

Whenever I have an HDD die on me I take it to an outdoor range and shoot it with my 50 cal Barrett.

 

[vegetation]

Originally posted by: ImaNihilist
Whenever I have an HDD die on me I take it to an outdoor range and shoot it with my 50 cal Barrett.

That wont help much, the data can still be recovered fairly easily.

 

[Sunner]

Originally posted by: JustAnAverageGuy

Originally posted by: stevem326

Originally posted by: DLeRium
Take the drives apart. Take the platters out and dump it in 12M H2SO4. It's done pal.

Um, what is 12M H2SO4? And how can I get some?

Hydrogen sulfate, or as it's more commonly known "battery acid"

12M refers to its molarity or its concentration (bigger number = stronger)

Not to attempt a thread hijack, but wouldn't H2SO4 be sulfuric acid?
Was a while since I was into this chemistry stuff...

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: Sunner

Originally posted by: JustAnAverageGuy

Originally posted by: stevem326

Originally posted by: DLeRium
Take the drives apart. Take the platters out and dump it in 12M H2SO4. It's done pal.

Um, what is 12M H2SO4? And how can I get some?

Hydrogen sulfate, or as it's more commonly known "battery acid"

12M refers to its molarity or its concentration (bigger number = stronger)

Not to attempt a thread hijack, but wouldn't H2SO4 be sulfuric acid?
Was a while since I was into this chemistry stuff...

Correct. Sulfuric Acid. However, Hydrogen Sulfate is another name for it, it's the same stuff.

 

[Sunner]

Originally posted by: Phil

Originally posted by: Sunner
Not to attempt a thread hijack, but wouldn't H2SO4 be sulfuric acid?
Was a while since I was into this chemistry stuff...

Correct. Sulfuric Acid. However, Hydrogen Sulfate is another name for it, it's the same stuff.

Aha, never heard that name for it

 

[Diasper]

Out of interest, how good are these data recovery guys - could they get data off a drive after using DBAN? That is 10+ random wipes?


btw i've always wondered what it'd do in the microwave...

 

[Promethply]

Yeah, incinerate those buggers, and then either dip them into a 90% solution of Hydrochloric acid, or 90% solution of Sulfuric acid -- done.

 

[Czar]

Originally posted by: DaFinn
Hmm, there is some of my company data which will get my booty kicked if it gets into wrong hands. This is my home laptop, so the data should not be there in the first place. I've done some work from home and transferred data that I needed there.

Other than that, there are nude photos of my wife, which I don't want to see in teh interweb a week after RMA

---> New drive it is, thanks for all "interesting" suggestion on data destruction...

if you want to be safe then just dont rma it and buy a new one