How do you dispose of … RESOLVED

[french frank]

Hmm - well, having prised both ends off, I found the stuff inside wouldn't budge. I discovered 4 small torx screws were securing it so disposed of them (they were hidden under the four rubber 'feet') and still the insides didn't budge. I am currently attacking the sturdy metal case with a hack saw. I may be gone some time

[Nick Armstrong]

Hmm - well, having prised both ends off, I found the stuff inside wouldn't budge. I discovered 4 small torx screws were securing it so disposed of them (they were hidden under the four rubber 'feet') and still the insides didn't budge. I am currently attacking the sturdy metal case with a hack saw. I may be gone some time

The screws can be hidden. On my photo below, you can see on the right hand side 3 screws. There are in fact 8 in total, all identical... four for some reason concealed under the circular black stickers, and the last one concealed differently, under one end of the white label. You have to feel for the indentation with a finger, hack round the bit of label covering the screw... Why some are hidden and some not, I don't know. Having removed all 8, the panel just comes away and reveals the innards...

[french frank]

Having removed all 8, the panel just comes away and reveals the innards...

Well, I'll look for more but there is no 'panel' just a seamless black metal case.

[Dave2002]

Well, I'll look for more but there is no 'panel' just a seamless black metal case.

Sometimes a sharp point to scratch away at anything which looks like a label, or rubber, or plastic can reveal screws. Worth a try, perhaps, and may be quicker than going straight for the hacksaw. There might be a not so obvious hidden seal for any panel or lid.

A hammer and chisel might be useful for prising the "panel" or lid off, or simply bashing through it, too!

Good to see these suggestions though - I have similar issues to be dealt with fairly soon. Unfortunately I won't be able to avail myself of my friend's solution.

[french frank]

Right! I had noticed a small label which said 'Warranty void if seal broken'. So it didn't break the seal, just carried on with the lump hammer.

But I took the label off and there was one crosshead screw that was holding the insides in place. Slid it out and undid several more crossheads to take a panel off and now I have this (four red circles are torx screws). So I suppose I have to have the proper screwdriver to get them off (I didn't last time - I just levered) - but then what?

[Dave2002]

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/produc...FcoJwwodRNkOGg Free delivery - next day?

[Anastasius]

Time for a sanity check?

How many people are going skip-diving in the Metals Only container at your recycling place looking for the odd hard drive ?

[Don Petter]

This thread does seem to be paranoid central!

[french frank]

Time for a sanity check?

How many people are going skip-diving in the Metals Only container at your recycling place looking for the odd hard drive ?

You mean, none of this is necessary ?

Actually, if I were on the look-out for discarded hard drives for useful data, I think the Metals Only/ Small Electrical containers might be worth a punt while I was dumping my old carpet

[Dave2002]

This thread does seem to be paranoid central!

You've obviously never been hit by any unscrupulous bar stewards!

[Nick Armstrong]

This thread does seem to be paranoid central!

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/jul/27/labour.politics

http://www.fleet-street-sewer-rat.com

My data includes stuff that would definitely be of interest to Benji and his ilk...

[Nick Armstrong]

I suppose I have to have the proper screwdriver to get them off (I didn't last time - I just levered) - but then what?

Yes.... just unscrew everything with a screw head you can see, and look for things you can't see too, under stickers etc as mentioned by Dave and me above... Then the innards will all fall out - including what I think from the look of it will be three shiny CD-like platters. Looks like they'll be the strong metal ones, as per those depicted post-hammering in my photo.

[french frank]

Yes.... just unscrew everything with a screw head you can see, and look for things you can't see too, under stickers etc as mentioned by Dave and me above... Then the innards will all fall out - including what I think from the look of it will be three shiny CD-like platters. Looks like they'll be the strong metal ones, as per those depicted post-hammering in my photo.

Very educational, this thread. I may come across some paranoid person who wants their hard drive destroyed. I may be able to charge them a bit

[Don Petter]

My data includes stuff that would definitely be of interest to Benji and his ilk...

Would that I were that important ...

[Nick Armstrong]

Would that I were that important ...

I would not wish on you to be of interest to journalists like some erstwhile clients of mine...