Old Hard Drive Destruction

[pigoo3]

I had an old external SCSI hard drive that was failing and needed to get rid of...so decided to have a little fun & disassemble it. 4 photos of the process below. I usually keep all the screws (never know what they might come in handy for with other electronics projects)...and there were a couple of really strong rare earth magnets to hang onto.









And the part you usually don't see...the destruction of the HD platters. This 3.5" HD had aluminum platters...so I bent & scratched them up as best as possible. Other hard drives can have glass/ceramic platters...and when you hit them with a hammer or squeeze them with a pair of pliers...they will literally shatter just like glass (hard drive data definitely not recoverable after that)!




- Nick

 

[badshoehabit]

I have some silver earrings just like that - well, maybe a tad smaller.

 

[pigoo3]

I have some silver earrings just like that - well, maybe a tad smaller.

Maybe the bent-up hard drive platters would make a nice adornment to a pair of shoes...or one of them used as a pendant!

"Nerdy" gifts for Christmas! lol

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

Other hard drives can have glass/ceramic platters...and when you hit them with a hammer or squeeze them with a pair of pliers...they will literally shatter just like glass

Actually, those glass/ceramic platters can seem like they are exploding when mishandled and at least decent safety glasses or face shield should be worn when they are being destroyed.

PS: Aren't those magnets something??? ;D

PPS: Nice pictures Nick.


PPPS: Those bent platters would look nice as Christmas Tree decorations and be useful hanging in the fruit trees to help keep the birds away from any fruit.





- Patrick
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[usagora]

The platters are always a pain to get out. My SOP is to go over both surfaces of each platter using a sanding disc with an angle grinder (always use ear and eye protection, of course).

 

[pigoo3]

Actually, those glass/ceramic platters can seem like they are exploding when mishandled and at least decent safety glasses or face shield should be worn when they are being destroyed.

You're absolutely right Patrick. I was seriously understating how the glass/ceramic hard drive platters will almost seem to explode with shards of material when destroying them. I usually do this inside a small bucket or trash can to contain all the sharp/dangerous bits...and safety glasses definitely are important to have.

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

the glass/ceramic hard drive platters will almost seem to explode with shards of material when destroying them. I usually do this inside a small bucket or trash can to contain all the sharp/dangerous bits...

That's a good idea Nick, or maybe even keep them in a strong brown paper bag during any destruction process. I never even thought of doing that.




- Patrick
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[Rod]

Hey Nick, you could get a job at iFixit with those shots.

 

[Papalapa]

And the part you usually don't see...the destruction of the HD platters. This 3.5" HD had aluminum platters...so I bent & scratched them up as best as possible. Other hard drives can have glass/ceramic platters...and when you hit them with a hammer or squeeze them with a pair of pliers...they will literally shatter just like glass (hard drive data definitely not recoverable after that)!

View attachment 28852

- Nick

May be with a hammer, time and patience is possible to get the data back.... (I'm joking of course).

Nice to see the drive completely dissasembled, I think that I'll do the same with my old 20MB Miniscribe. I promise pictures.

 

[Rod]

Certainly put me to shame, I used a hammer on mine.

 

[pigoo3]

Using a hammer can be fun too. I like taking things apart (disassembly)...which is why I went that route.

- Nick

p.s. Nice avatar Rod.

 

[JohnCL]

You guys work too hard destroying data! One word, degausser! I can surely understand taking one apart for fun and getting the kick-***** magnets out. Did you stick one to the fridge yet Nick? They are fun to try and get off!

 

[pm-r]

p.s. Nice avatar Rod.
- Nick

+1!!! I was about to post the same thing, and I gather a family related one I'm assuming. Nice.




- Patrick
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[pm-r]

You guys work too hard destroying data! One word, degausser!

Hmmm... I haven't seen any of those around since the floppy disk days, at least in the consumer world, but I dare say a screwdriver and a hammer are a thousand times cheaper. ;D





- Patrick
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[pigoo3]

You guys work too hard destroying data! One word, degausser!

Of course what well-stocked home doesn't have a degausser (or two)?? I think mine is right next to the portable nuclear reactor, plasma rifle, and perpetual motion machine! Lol

I can surely understand taking one apart for fun and getting the kick-***** magnets out. Did you stick one to the fridge yet Nick? They are fun to try and get off!

Yes sir...you read my mind. That's the first place they went!

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

Did you stick one to the fridge yet Nick? They are fun to try and get off!

Yes sir...you read my mind. That's the first place they went!
- Nick

And then there are the poor souls who are so disappointed when they try this and discover it doesn't work because they bought a new higher-end stainless refrigerator that uses non-magnetic austenitic stainless steel.





- Patrick
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[Rod]

Using a hammer can be fun too. I like taking things apart (disassembly)...which is why I went that route.

- Nick

p.s. Nice avatar Rod.

Yes, well it seems a bit primitive in comparison to degaussing. Glad you like the avatar, me an my youngest granddaughter.

 

[harryb2448]

More fun:-

1. Drill a hole through it.

2. Pack a biro outer with plastique, gelly or what ever.

3. Slide in an electric detonator.

4. Hook up to a 6v battery and boom no more hard drive!

 

[JohnCL]

Of course what well-stocked home doesn't have a degausser (or two)?? I think mine is right next to the portable nuclear reactor, plasma rifle, and perpetual motion machine! Lol

..and all this time I thought you had everything!!!

 

[pigoo3]

..and all this time I thought you had everything!!!

I got way too much junk. Got to let some of it go.

- Nick