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#1
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wiping data off a hard drive
Hi everyone, I have a problem with a portable usb 2G micro hard drive.
I use(d) it a lot and now it has decided to stop working. Worst case and most likely cause is that its a problem with the interface electroncs rather than the physical disk. The problem for me is that the store will happily give me a refund (they have confirmed the item is defective) however they will need to send it back to the manufactucturer so they can ascertain what is wrong. So, as there is personnel data stored on the device (assuming there is nothing wrong with the disk) I'm reluctant to just give it back. Initially their customer service told me they'd test it first and if they couldn't fix it they'd destroy it in my presence. So, does anyone know if it is possible to wipe data from a disk without physically connecting to a computer. Examples say a microwave, or strong magnets. I've heard all the possibilities but literally with domestic appliances what actually is possible? Thanks if anyone cane come up with a solution for me and merry christmas to everyone. Tim |
#2
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wiping data off a hard drive
Don't try microwaving it - you'll destroy the microwave.
Very strong magnets could remove the data, but they will also destroy the drive, as they erase the servo tracks and interfere with permanent magnets in the drive motors. In any case, as you can't access the drive, you wouldn't know whether or not the erasing has worked. The only practical option is to destroy it yourself. -- Jeff Richards MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User) "tim309" wrote in message ups.com... Hi everyone, I have a problem with a portable usb 2G micro hard drive. I use(d) it a lot and now it has decided to stop working. Worst case and most likely cause is that its a problem with the interface electroncs rather than the physical disk. The problem for me is that the store will happily give me a refund (they have confirmed the item is defective) however they will need to send it back to the manufactucturer so they can ascertain what is wrong. So, as there is personnel data stored on the device (assuming there is nothing wrong with the disk) I'm reluctant to just give it back. Initially their customer service told me they'd test it first and if they couldn't fix it they'd destroy it in my presence. So, does anyone know if it is possible to wipe data from a disk without physically connecting to a computer. Examples say a microwave, or strong magnets. I've heard all the possibilities but literally with domestic appliances what actually is possible? Thanks if anyone cane come up with a solution for me and merry christmas to everyone. Tim |
#3
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wiping data off a hard drive
"tim309" wrote in message ups.com... Hi everyone, I have a problem with a portable usb 2G micro hard drive. I use(d) it a lot and now it has decided to stop working. Worst case and most likely cause is that its a problem with the interface electroncs rather than the physical disk. The problem for me is that the store will happily give me a refund (they have confirmed the item is defective) however they will need to send it back to the manufactucturer so they can ascertain what is wrong. So, as there is personnel data stored on the device (assuming there is nothing wrong with the disk) I'm reluctant to just give it back. Initially their customer service told me they'd test it first and if they couldn't fix it they'd destroy it in my presence. So, does anyone know if it is possible to wipe data from a disk without physically connecting to a computer. Examples say a microwave, or strong magnets. I've heard all the possibilities but literally with domestic appliances what actually is possible? The manufacturer is really just going to confirm the unit is defective... and it's unlikely they will attempt any repair of the electronics and access your data. However if it's extremely important that no one sees the data... you might as well just smash the unit with a hammer and forget about the warranty. |
#4
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wiping data off a hard drive
Thanks for responding. I guess the answer as I suspected is to trash
the drive myself and forego the warranty. |
#5
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wiping data off a hard drive
I have had outstanding results with a FPSH (five pound sledge hammer).
-- Regards Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98 Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour Knowledge Base Info: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo "tim309" wrote in message oups.com... Thanks for responding. I guess the answer as I suspected is to trash the drive myself and forego the warranty. |
#6
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wiping data off a hard drive
"Ron Badour" wrote in message ... I have had outstanding results with a FPSH (five pound sledge hammer). I've got an 8# and a 16# sledge... when i got the 8 pounder...i realized it was too light duty for the jobs i do... but after i dropped it on my foot...i was glad it was only an 8 pounder |
#7
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wiping data off a hard drive
OUCH !!!
-- Regards Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98 Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour Knowledge Base Info: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo "philo" wrote in message ... "Ron Badour" wrote in message ... I have had outstanding results with a FPSH (five pound sledge hammer). I've got an 8# and a 16# sledge... when i got the 8 pounder...i realized it was too light duty for the jobs i do... but after i dropped it on my foot...i was glad it was only an 8 pounder |
#8
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wiping data off a hard drive
"Ron Badour" wrote in message ... OUCH !!! It was not so bad... just dropped it from a few inches and I was wearing my work boots ! |
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