What is a fun way to get really destructive with hard drives >:)

ZeldaYoshi said:

I am going to replace my laptop's hard drive with a solid state drive and I want to smash the old one so no one gets anything sensitive information off of it and I wanted to know of any fun and really destructive ways to destroy it/

If the only reason for replacing it is to get newer technology why not get an External USB Case for it and make a portable drive or drive for backups? Otherwise a good 12-gauge shotgun and skeet launcher may work or maybe a handgun at the rifle range?

Berton said:

If the only reason for replacing it is to get newer technology why not get an External USB Case for it and make a portable drive or drive for backups? Otherwise a good 12-gauge shotgun and skeet launcher may work or maybe a handgun at the rifle range?

Hand gun or shotgun may not be a good idea because of ricochet danger. High power rifle is best since you can be a bit down range. I just take the cover off and drive a screwdriver thru the platters. No drama but nobody will be recovering any data after that!

I'd be a bit careful destroying the platters with the case open, as they could be glass instead of metal and send shattered bits in all directions.

If they're glass, a single punch straight through the external casing to the side of the spindle will shatter them into lots of pieces anyway. If they're metal then you can take it apart, undo the spindle screws and do what you want with them to destroy the actual platters.