[ale] OT: Erasing a toasted drive

[Mike Harrison]

> Have any of you faced a similar situation, and if so, what did you do?

Lift up a foil sticker if there is one over the platters, 
drill a small hole(s).. through the platters if possible.
Or one from the side will work as well.

Scratch the surfaces up with a paper clip though the hole(s).. 
even more fun if you can power up the drive and spin it.

Optional: Arc weld a little with an AC line cord and a paper clip
on the platters through the holes.. 

Put the foil sticker back in place over the holes, or 
place something officialish looking over the holes (RTV?)

Mail them back their drive/brick/artwork/paperweight.

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I've got 3 old PC's from a lawyers office in my driveway waiting for 
permanent hard drive erasure via .45 caliber impact... and all of a 
sudden my H&K .45 and ammo is a business expense!