Tom's Hardware > Forum > Storage > Hard Disks > Returning my Barracuda, How do I wipe it clean if it won't even boot

Returning my Barracuda, How do I wipe it clean if it won't even boot

Forum Storage : Hard Disks - Returning my Barracuda, How do I wipe it clean if it won't even boot

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TheAmazingJordo   03-06-2009 at 06:07:39 AM

Well I woke up this morning and the inevitable happened with the Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 . It won't get reconized by any computer, or any external enclosures. Nothing will work.

Now my question is, I have to return this one, to get a new one. Yet there is a lot of information on this Hard Disk like my credit card info, video game serial keys, saved passwords, and other personal material. Is there a way for me to wipe this hard disk without obviously destroying it with a sledge hammer?

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badge   03-06-2009 at 08:32:40 AM
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Contact Seagate support and ask them what they will do with your failed drive and what you should do regarding returning as RMA.

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zipzoomflyhigh   03-06-2009 at 01:41:25 PM
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Take a strong magnet and run it all around the hardrive.

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TheAmazingJordo   03-06-2009 at 09:07:47 PM
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They're sending me a new one, and once I receive the new one, I have 30 days to send out my broken one. I believe they simply repair them, and then sell the refurbished, which is my worry.

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badge   03-06-2009 at 09:31:49 PM
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Plug in to a 220v.

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arson94   03-06-2009 at 10:01:57 PM
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Plugging it into a 220v outlet will only fry the controller board I would think. That would leave the data still on the platters to be read. I'd imagine that Seagate would wipe the drives anyway before reselling. But, the only way I can think of erasing the data is how zipzoomflyhigh suggested. Get ahold of the biggest/strongest magnet you can and molest your hard drive with that magnet.

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g3force   03-06-2009 at 10:22:54 PM
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zipzoomflyhigh wrote :

Take a strong magnet and run it all around the hardrive.


The HDD casing is shielded, so that wouldn't work (otherwise the magnetic field from the platter motor would wipe the drive every time you booted up!)

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v-man   03-06-2009 at 10:41:33 PM
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What's the drive doing? A clankity clankity death rattle? Can you tell if it's spinning up at all?

If it's spinning up I'd recommend booting to DBAN and attempting to DoD Wipe the drive.

http://www.dban.org/

Make sure to disconnect any other drives so you don't accidentally wipe those...

Unfortunately if the drive cannot physically read/write there really isn't anything you can do besides physically destroying the drive... I doubt they'd accept an RMA with holes drilled through it. :)

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arson94   03-06-2009 at 10:46:12 PM
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It takes a really strong magnet, but it can work. Degaussers use magnets, but they also create magnetic fields of alternating intensisites to leave the media in a magnetic neutral state (erased).

If you really want to, you can call data specialist shops near you and ask any of them if they have a degausser. The only problem is that degaussing also erases the servo program from the hard drive put on by the manufacturer. I don't know if Seagate would see this and void your warranty but I doubt it. Degaussing is probably about your only option short of obviously voiding your warranty with physical damage.


Message edited by arson94 on 03-06-2009 at 10:50:22 PM
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doormatderek   03-06-2009 at 10:47:30 PM
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arson94 wrote :

Plugging it into a 220v outlet will only fry the controller board I would think. That would leave the data still on the platters to be read. I'd imagine that Seagate would wipe the drives anyway before reselling. But, the only way I can think of erasing the data is how zipzoomflyhigh suggested. Get ahold of the biggest/strongest magnet you can and molest your hard drive with that magnet.




Lol, I will save that last sentence/comment for future use!! :)

Reply to doormatderek
Raviolissimo   03-07-2009 at 09:22:43 PM
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they kind of got you over a barrel.

the only way to be sure is to forego the RMA and write the letters "NFG" on the hard drive and put it on the shelf.

you could put a 1/4" drill in a hand held drill or drill press, and drill a hole right through the case and through all the platters. that would make it very difficult for anyone to access your personal info. also doesn't take very long.

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