Will a hammer do it?

[mikodo]

Hi.

I ordered a new desktop external usb drive, for part of my backup scenarios.

I'm thinking of possibly retiring my old one. (never had any problems with it).

I think, using dd or shred to rewrite 1 string of zero's on it, with this older usb 2.0 drive could take forever. (never tried it though)

I thought I would just nail it with a hammer to destroy the drive. Would that do it?

It's all aluminum cased. I don't see any way to open it. Here it is:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000GIXVZW?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

Thanks.

[kerry_s]

hammer, drill, baseball bat, magnet, body slam on concrete, etc....

it's electronics i'm sure you'll figure something out.

ps: not the micowave, to explosive. lol

[mikodo]

hammer, drill, baseball bat, magnet, body slam on concrete, etc....
Alright. lol

I was reading an UF thread about where HeramanAB states in it " (BTW, I do military security work) and ...
If it is a military drive - melt it with an acetylene torch".

You guys crack me up.

Thanks.

[HermanAB]

Who is using my name in vain?

I'm all for skeet shooting old disk drives. Unfortunately a Trebuchet is not good enough for destroying disks, unless maybe if you can arrange to hit an actual castle wall with it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wVADKznOhY

Some military users gather up old drives, then take them under armed guard to a foundry and drop them into a blast furnace, but that is a little too violent for me, think of the poor little ones and zeroes...

[mikodo]

Actually, I spelled Herman wrong. I apologize. Typing too fast.

:)

[mips]

https://ata.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/ATA_Secure_Erase

[portalhavoc]

Did somebody say "Hammer"?

In fact, I have a sledgehammer right here! :P (Virtually)

Just kidding. Have you tried backing up the data from the old external hard drive and transfering it to the new one? :???: :idea:

[HermanAB]

BTW, *always* encrypt your disks. The reasons are various:
a. A drive controller can fail, leaving you unable to erase anything, while a crook could install a new controller and read everything.
b. Your machine can get stolen and sold on Ebay to who knows who.
c. Even if you have an IT service that is supposed to dispose of drives properly, someone may try to make a quick buck on Ebay instead.