Re: How to zero a failing disk drive before disposal?

In message <2544410a-8a99-4b2e-a194-c8326a2e0ddd@heuristicsystems.com.au>, 
Dewayne Geraghty <dewayne@heuristicsystems.com.au> wrote:

>A good question Ronald.  I worked for a provider of services for the 
>statutory care of children (eg removed from parents). There are 
>significant penalties for certain types of information loss.  We 
>bench-drilled the hard-disks before sending them (out of our chain of 
>custody) to a furnace.  Admittedly this is an extreme case and for the 
>reasons already stated in this thread, there was no other way to ensure, 
>say a name and location, were not available.

Interesting.

I decided to go ahead and use S.M.A.R.T. secure erase on this drive
after all, and then take the cover off and then...

(Fortunately I have the necessary Torx[tm] screwdrivers to get the cover off.)

I hadn't thought of drilling some holes in the platters after that, but that
is part of my plan now.  NICE IDEA! THANKS!

I'm pretty sure that will render the platters entirely un-spinable.