How to Destroy the Data on a Hard Drive (prefered method)

[ricgilboy69]

Can you just shred the disk ?

[thehumor]

So I'm getting a new computer, can I put the old HDD in the new one?

[sroemerm]

@thehumor If there is a slot to receive it ands compatible plug for the data cable you are set to jet. However most new computers use SATA, if your old HD is ATA and your new computer isn't you will have to buy and external enclosure and use it as a USB HD...

[thehumor]

@sroemerm

It is SATA.

And for the destroying, isn't it better to use a hammer and wreck it?

[sroemerm]

@thehumor a hammer is good from keeping your neighbor out. If someone is willing to pay big bucks to recover the data you need to destroy the platters.

[jahuuja007]

hmm there is also inexpensive methods to get the data back around 0€ and dban should do the work for you

[jahuuja007]

@jahuuja007 to correct dban erasesthedriveputs randomly 1 n 0 and formats them so no lose the already one tried out n work great

[BlindAspie]

Would it also be worth dunking the circuitboard and platters in highly concentrated hydrochloric or muriatic acid? I have tons of it at my disposal, and figured it might come in handy. Do you think this might also work? It should be fun to watch the material reacting with the acid, if nothing else.

[SEGA128DC]

Hmm, I couldn't remove the screws from the platter to my hard drive. The screws just wouldn't budge! I also could not remove the arm? So, I just torched the platter as best I could...

[sroemerm]

@SEGA128DC As long as you got physical access to the platters, any damage you did is probably been sufficient. If you can open up the drive, damage the plates, and make it so that drive will no longer work, then 9 times out of 10 that is could enough. (unless you have the government after you or some one with a lot of resources)