Sejanus Aelianus
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This method of ensuring your old disks can't be misused was suggested to me by one of the engineers in my team, back when I managed a server room. In those days it seemed a little drastic but with the current price of disks...
Step 1: Undo the screws holding the top cover (there are seven on most 3.5" drives) and remove the cover. You'll probably need a star head for your driver but these can be found in most pound shops these days.
Gosh, doesn't it look shiny!
Step 2: Undo the screws on the central ring...
Step 3: Bend back the upper head carrier and yank the top plate out, Ben back the next two head carriers and force out the bottom plate. Scribble all over each surface of the plates and, for that extra security feel good factor, bend them...
Step 4: Dump the remains in your bin or, for an extra rub to your halo, take it to the tip and place it in the electronics recycling skip.
Alternatively, you can use a 7 pass wipe, which will take a lot of time, depending on the size of the disk, without imparting that "Wheeee" factor which breaking things up would otherwise bring!

Step 1: Undo the screws holding the top cover (there are seven on most 3.5" drives) and remove the cover. You'll probably need a star head for your driver but these can be found in most pound shops these days.
Gosh, doesn't it look shiny!
Step 2: Undo the screws on the central ring...
Step 3: Bend back the upper head carrier and yank the top plate out, Ben back the next two head carriers and force out the bottom plate. Scribble all over each surface of the plates and, for that extra security feel good factor, bend them...
Step 4: Dump the remains in your bin or, for an extra rub to your halo, take it to the tip and place it in the electronics recycling skip.
Alternatively, you can use a 7 pass wipe, which will take a lot of time, depending on the size of the disk, without imparting that "Wheeee" factor which breaking things up would otherwise bring!
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