Can data be completely wiped off a hard drive using an external device such as a strong magnet or a degaussing coil?

Hello all,

I'm new to this group but old to computers - 30 years of experience in hardware
repair. I've been on the Internet since '93 and Usenet since '95 or so, but just
never came across this group. After lurking here for about a week, I like what I see
and think I'll stay awhile. Hope you don't mind...

I do have a question and would like your opinion(s). In Dec. of '07, I purchased a
WD 'My Book Essential' 500GB external USB drive. It worked fine until last month and
then abruptly died - I heard the bong you hear when a USB device is unplugged and
the drive simply disappeared from 'My Computer', never to be heard from again. I
opened up the WD case without destroying it, a monumental task in itself, and
removed the drive (a standard WD SATA 500GB) thinking that it might be a bad power
supply or USB interface causing the problem. I hooked the drive up directly to an
SATA port on a different machine and when powered on, it immediately started making
the 'click of death'. In addition, to verify that the WD case/PSU/USB I/F was good,
I installed a different drive (Seagate 320GB) into the WD case and it's been working
fine for the past month. Anyway, at this point I knew the WD drive was toast but
that it was (is) still protected under the 3-year WD warranty.

The problem: I used the drive mainly for temporary storage of data from my
customer's computers - customers who include attorneys, doctors, insurance agencies
and regular people. I can't return the drive to WD for repair knowing that all of
that personal data still exists on the drive - I take pride in protecting my
customer's data and have never had a mishap in 16 years of servicing PC's. However,
I would still like to have this drive replaced. To do that, I have to be 100% sure
that the data on the platters has been completely wiped clean before shipping it to
WD, and since the drive won't initialize, I can't use software to accomplish that.
I'm thinking that a strong magnetic field, such as that from an old degaussing coil
or a strong (rare earth) external magnet might do the trick. I've even thought of
experimenting with some old, still functioning drives to observe the effects of
exposing them to external sources of magnetism. Although, before doing that, I came
across this group and thought it would be a good idea to ask around here.

I'd appreciate any input, opinions, discussion, personal experience, or whatever
concerning this issue.

Thanks in advance.
Jack C. - aka Homer S., aka Navin R. Johnson

Homer S. wrote:
> I'm new to this group but old to computers - 30 years of experience
> in hardware repair. I've been on the Internet since '93 and Usenet
> since '95 or so, but just never came across this group. After
> lurking here for about a week, I like what I see and think I'll
> stay awhile. Hope you don't mind...
>
> I do have a question and would like your opinion(s). In Dec. of
> '07, I purchased a WD 'My Book Essential' 500GB external USB drive.
> It worked fine until last month and then abruptly died - I heard
> the bong you hear when a USB device is unplugged and the drive
> simply disappeared from 'My Computer', never to be heard from
> again. I opened up the WD case without destroying it, a monumental
> task in itself, and removed the drive (a standard WD SATA 500GB)
> thinking that it might be a bad power supply or USB interface
> causing the problem. I hooked the drive up directly to an SATA port
> on a different machine and when powered on, it immediately started
> making the 'click of death'. In addition, to verify that the WD
> case/PSU/USB I/F was good, I installed a different drive (Seagate
> 320GB) into the WD case and it's been working fine for the past
> month. Anyway, at this point I knew the WD drive was toast but that
> it was (is) still protected under the 3-year WD warranty.
>
> The problem: I used the drive mainly for temporary storage of data
> from my customer's computers - customers who include attorneys,
> doctors, insurance agencies and regular people. I can't return the
> drive to WD for repair knowing that all of that personal data still
> exists on the drive - I take pride in protecting my customer's data
> and have never had a mishap in 16 years of servicing PC's. However,
> I would still like to have this drive replaced. To do that, I have
> to be 100% sure that the data on the platters has been completely
> wiped clean before shipping it to WD, and since the drive won't
> initialize, I can't use software to accomplish that. I'm thinking
> that a strong magnetic field, such as that from an old degaussing
> coil or a strong (rare earth) external magnet might do the trick.
> I've even thought of experimenting with some old, still functioning
> drives to observe the effects of exposing them to external sources
> of magnetism. Although, before doing that, I came across this group
> and thought it would be a good idea to ask around here.
>
> I'd appreciate any input, opinions, discussion, personal
> experience, or whatever concerning this issue.
>
> Thanks in advance.
> Jack C. - aka Homer S., aka Navin R. Johnson

Use the magnet.

http://www.howtowipeyourdrive.com/Ho...HardDrive.aspx
http://www.degaussing.net/wipe-the-hard-drive.html

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Homer, If the drive is really bad destrory it physically with a
hammer, crush it take it apart and destory it's parts. You are to be
commended for worrying about how to dispose of it.


On Sat, 5 Jul 2008 11:01:06 -0500, "Shenan Stanley"
<newshelper@gmail.com> wrote:

>Homer S. wrote:
>> I'm new to this group but old to computers - 30 years of experience
>> in hardware repair. I've been on the Internet since '93 and Usenet
>> since '95 or so, but just never came across this group. After
>> lurking here for about a week, I like what I see and think I'll
>> stay awhile. Hope you don't mind...
>>
>> I do have a question and would like your opinion(s). In Dec. of
>> '07, I purchased a WD 'My Book Essential' 500GB external USB drive.
>> It worked fine until last month and then abruptly died - I heard
>> the bong you hear when a USB device is unplugged and the drive
>> simply disappeared from 'My Computer', never to be heard from
>> again. I opened up the WD case without destroying it, a monumental
>> task in itself, and removed the drive (a standard WD SATA 500GB)
>> thinking that it might be a bad power supply or USB interface
>> causing the problem. I hooked the drive up directly to an SATA port
>> on a different machine and when powered on, it immediately started
>> making the 'click of death'. In addition, to verify that the WD
>> case/PSU/USB I/F was good, I installed a different drive (Seagate
>> 320GB) into the WD case and it's been working fine for the past
>> month. Anyway, at this point I knew the WD drive was toast but that
>> it was (is) still protected under the 3-year WD warranty.
>>

Homer S. wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> I'm new to this group but old to computers - 30 years of experience in hardware
> repair. I've been on the Internet since '93 and Usenet since '95 or so, but just
> never came across this group. After lurking here for about a week, I like what I see
> and think I'll stay awhile. Hope you don't mind...
>
> I do have a question and would like your opinion(s). In Dec. of '07, I purchased a
> WD 'My Book Essential' 500GB external USB drive. It worked fine until last month and
> then abruptly died - I heard the bong you hear when a USB device is unplugged and
> the drive simply disappeared from 'My Computer', never to be heard from again. I
> opened up the WD case without destroying it, a monumental task in itself, and
> removed the drive (a standard WD SATA 500GB) thinking that it might be a bad power
> supply or USB interface causing the problem. I hooked the drive up directly to an
> SATA port on a different machine and when powered on, it immediately started making
> the 'click of death'. In addition, to verify that the WD case/PSU/USB I/F was good,
> I installed a different drive (Seagate 320GB) into the WD case and it's been working
> fine for the past month. Anyway, at this point I knew the WD drive was toast but
> that it was (is) still protected under the 3-year WD warranty.
>
> The problem: I used the drive mainly for temporary storage of data from my
> customer's computers - customers who include attorneys, doctors, insurance agencies
> and regular people. I can't return the drive to WD for repair knowing that all of
> that personal data still exists on the drive - I take pride in protecting my
> customer's data and have never had a mishap in 16 years of servicing PC's. However,
> I would still like to have this drive replaced. To do that, I have to be 100% sure
> that the data on the platters has been completely wiped clean before shipping it to
> WD, and since the drive won't initialize, I can't use software to accomplish that.
> I'm thinking that a strong magnetic field, such as that from an old degaussing coil
> or a strong (rare earth) external magnet might do the trick. I've even thought of
> experimenting with some old, still functioning drives to observe the effects of
> exposing them to external sources of magnetism. Although, before doing that, I came
> across this group and thought it would be a good idea to ask around here.
>
> I'd appreciate any input, opinions, discussion, personal experience, or whatever
> concerning this issue.
>
> Thanks in advance.
> Jack C. - aka Homer S., aka Navin R. Johnson


Either degaussing or the magnet would work, but you may not have to
actually return the defective drive to get it replaced. Most hard drive
manufacturers, particularly the major providers of OEM components, are
accustomed to providing warranty support to businesses and government
agencies that cannot return the old drives for the same reason as you
have: sensitive data that cannot be risked. At any rate, it can't hurt
to ask WD what their specific policy is, for a case such as yours.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

Homer S. wrote:

<<snipped>>

> The problem: I used the drive mainly for temporary storage of data from my
> customer's computers - customers who include attorneys, doctors, insurance agencies
> and regular people. I can't return the drive to WD for repair knowing that all of
> that personal data still exists on the drive - I take pride in protecting my
> customer's data and have never had a mishap in 16 years of servicing PC's. However,
> I would still like to have this drive replaced. To do that, I have to be 100% sure
> that the data on the platters has been completely wiped clean before shipping it to
> WD, and since the drive won't initialize, I can't use software to accomplish that.
> I'm thinking that a strong magnetic field, such as that from an old degaussing coil
> or a strong (rare earth) external magnet might do the trick. I've even thought of
> experimenting with some old, still functioning drives to observe the effects of
> exposing them to external sources of magnetism. Although, before doing that, I came
> across this group and thought it would be a good idea to ask around here.
>
> I'd appreciate any input, opinions, discussion, personal experience, or whatever
> concerning this issue.
>
> Thanks in advance.
> Jack C. - aka Homer S., aka Navin R. Johnson

For your own peace of mind and to avoid any future issues involving
confidential information, go ahead and physically destroy the hard
drive. The practice here is to remove the platters and drill holes
through them. It is a small price to pay in order not to get caught
up into a breach of confidentiality lawsuit that costs thousands of
dollars to defend (and win) or be involved in one and be subpoenaed
as a witness. In over 20 years, we have never returned a single HD
to the manufacturer for warranty service or replacement or even used
an outside data recovery outfit...the broken drive is destroyed.

Since there is no way to tell if the "magnet" did the job, destroy the drive
and take it as a write down as part of the cost of doing business and
keeping your customers safe.

Take the drive apart, then use the magnet as an extra step and finally
physically break the platters into pieces (use safety goggles and gloves).
Distribute some of the pieces in the trash over a period of weeks, keep a
few pieces from each platter on your desk as a conversational item (no sharp
edges).

JS


"Homer S." <Mr.Plow@Kookyfarm.net> wrote in message
news:lv2v64dsmme9sigbrl9bjli9rdrf9psera@4ax.com...
> Hello all,
>
> I'm new to this group but old to computers - 30 years of experience in
> hardware
> repair. I've been on the Internet since '93 and Usenet since '95 or so,
> but just
> never came across this group. After lurking here for about a week, I like
> what I see
> and think I'll stay awhile. Hope you don't mind...
>
> I do have a question and would like your opinion(s). In Dec. of '07, I
> purchased a
> WD 'My Book Essential' 500GB external USB drive. It worked fine until last
> month and
> then abruptly died - I heard the bong you hear when a USB device is
> unplugged and
> the drive simply disappeared from 'My Computer', never to be heard from
> again. I
> opened up the WD case without destroying it, a monumental task in itself,
> and
> removed the drive (a standard WD SATA 500GB) thinking that it might be a
> bad power
> supply or USB interface causing the problem. I hooked the drive up
> directly to an
> SATA port on a different machine and when powered on, it immediately
> started making
> the 'click of death'. In addition, to verify that the WD case/PSU/USB I/F
> was good,
> I installed a different drive (Seagate 320GB) into the WD case and it's
> been working
> fine for the past month. Anyway, at this point I knew the WD drive was
> toast but
> that it was (is) still protected under the 3-year WD warranty.
>
> The problem: I used the drive mainly for temporary storage of data from my
> customer's computers - customers who include attorneys, doctors, insurance
> agencies
> and regular people. I can't return the drive to WD for repair knowing that
> all of
> that personal data still exists on the drive - I take pride in protecting
> my
> customer's data and have never had a mishap in 16 years of servicing PC's.
> However,
> I would still like to have this drive replaced. To do that, I have to be
> 100% sure
> that the data on the platters has been completely wiped clean before
> shipping it to
> WD, and since the drive won't initialize, I can't use software to
> accomplish that.
> I'm thinking that a strong magnetic field, such as that from an old
> degaussing coil
> or a strong (rare earth) external magnet might do the trick. I've even
> thought of
> experimenting with some old, still functioning drives to observe the
> effects of
> exposing them to external sources of magnetism. Although, before doing
> that, I came
> across this group and thought it would be a good idea to ask around here.
>
> I'd appreciate any input, opinions, discussion, personal experience, or
> whatever
> concerning this issue.
>
> Thanks in advance.
> Jack C. - aka Homer S., aka Navin R. Johnson

"Homer S." <Mr.Plow@Kookyfarm.net> wrote in message
news:lv2v64dsmme9sigbrl9bjli9rdrf9psera@4ax.com...
> Hello all,
>
> I'm new to this group but old to computers - 30 years of experience in
> hardware
> repair. I've been on the Internet since '93 and Usenet since '95 or so,
> but just
> never came across this group. After lurking here for about a week, I like
> what I see
> and think I'll stay awhile. Hope you don't mind...
>
> I do have a question and would like your opinion(s). In Dec. of '07, I
> purchased a
> WD 'My Book Essential' 500GB external USB drive. It worked fine until last
> month and
> then abruptly died - I heard the bong you hear when a USB device is
> unplugged and
> the drive simply disappeared from 'My Computer', never to be heard from
> again. I
> opened up the WD case without destroying it, a monumental task in itself,
> and
> removed the drive (a standard WD SATA 500GB) thinking that it might be a
> bad power
> supply or USB interface causing the problem. I hooked the drive up
> directly to an
> SATA port on a different machine and when powered on, it immediately
> started making
> the 'click of death'. In addition, to verify that the WD case/PSU/USB I/F
> was good,
> I installed a different drive (Seagate 320GB) into the WD case and it's
> been working
> fine for the past month. Anyway, at this point I knew the WD drive was
> toast but
> that it was (is) still protected under the 3-year WD warranty.
>
> The problem: I used the drive mainly for temporary storage of data from my
> customer's computers - customers who include attorneys, doctors, insurance
> agencies
> and regular people. I can't return the drive to WD for repair knowing that
> all of
> that personal data still exists on the drive - I take pride in protecting
> my
> customer's data and have never had a mishap in 16 years of servicing PC's.
> However,
> I would still like to have this drive replaced. To do that, I have to be
> 100% sure
> that the data on the platters has been completely wiped clean before
> shipping it to
> WD, and since the drive won't initialize, I can't use software to
> accomplish that.
> I'm thinking that a strong magnetic field, such as that from an old
> degaussing coil
> or a strong (rare earth) external magnet might do the trick. I've even
> thought of
> experimenting with some old, still functioning drives to observe the
> effects of
> exposing them to external sources of magnetism. Although, before doing
> that, I came
> across this group and thought it would be a good idea to ask around here.
>
> I'd appreciate any input, opinions, discussion, personal experience, or
> whatever
> concerning this issue.
>
> Thanks in advance.
> Jack C. - aka Homer S., aka Navin R. Johnson

Short of putting the drive through an MRI, there's no way any magnet is
going to scramble the data on the drive. The magnetic fields generated
by the write heads, although microscopic in size, are extremely intense.
The servo magnet in the drive is itself a very strong magnet.

On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 11:52:59 -0400, Homer S. <Mr.Plow@Kookyfarm.net>
wrote:

>Hello all,
>
>I'm new to this group but old to computers - 30 years of experience in hardware
>repair. I've been on the Internet since '93 and Usenet since '95 or so, but just
>never came across this group. After lurking here for about a week, I like what I see
>and think I'll stay awhile. Hope you don't mind...
>
>I do have a question and would like your opinion(s). In Dec. of '07, I purchased a
>WD 'My Book Essential' 500GB external USB drive. It worked fine until last month and
>then abruptly died - I heard the bong you hear when a USB device is unplugged and
>the drive simply disappeared from 'My Computer', never to be heard from again. I
>opened up the WD case without destroying it, a monumental task in itself, and
>removed the drive (a standard WD SATA 500GB) thinking that it might be a bad power
>supply or USB interface causing the problem. I hooked the drive up directly to an
>SATA port on a different machine and when powered on, it immediately started making
>the 'click of death'. In addition, to verify that the WD case/PSU/USB I/F was good,
>I installed a different drive (Seagate 320GB) into the WD case and it's been working
>fine for the past month. Anyway, at this point I knew the WD drive was toast but
>that it was (is) still protected under the 3-year WD warranty.
>
>The problem: I used the drive mainly for temporary storage of data from my
>customer's computers - customers who include attorneys, doctors, insurance agencies
>and regular people. I can't return the drive to WD for repair knowing that all of
>that personal data still exists on the drive - I take pride in protecting my
>customer's data and have never had a mishap in 16 years of servicing PC's. However,
>I would still like to have this drive replaced. To do that, I have to be 100% sure
>that the data on the platters has been completely wiped clean before shipping it to
>WD, and since the drive won't initialize, I can't use software to accomplish that.
>I'm thinking that a strong magnetic field, such as that from an old degaussing coil
>or a strong (rare earth) external magnet might do the trick. I've even thought of
>experimenting with some old, still functioning drives to observe the effects of
>exposing them to external sources of magnetism. Although, before doing that, I came
>across this group and thought it would be a good idea to ask around here.
>
>I'd appreciate any input, opinions, discussion, personal experience, or whatever
>concerning this issue.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>Jack C. - aka Homer S., aka Navin R. Johnson

Why ask HERE? What does this have to do with WinXP? NOTHING.

Ask elsewhere

On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 11:52:59 -0400, Homer S. <Mr.Plow@Kookyfarm.net> wrote:

>Hello all,

<SNIP>

Thanx for your opinions - except for Edric, of course....plonk. I think I'll just do
what I always do with old hard drives and beat the hell out of it with my 5-lb.
sledge - and avoid WD drives in the future.

Thanx again,
Jack

<snipped>

Homer S. wrote:
> Thanx for your opinions - except for Edric, of course....plonk. I
> think I'll just do what I always do with old hard drives and beat
> the hell out of it with my 5-lb. sledge - and avoid WD drives in
> the future.

Physical destruction does make it impossible for you to return for repair
(as it looked like you were going to do) - as for staying away from Wester
Digital hard disk drives because of this...

I still prefer drives in this order... Seagate, Western Digital - ignore the
rest.

Over the years I have evenly had failures (be it few and far between) on
both of those brands - but for the rest - let's just say the scale is
lop-sides and leans in the bad way for all of them. Seagate is more
preferred because almost all of them have 5 year consumer warranties - 3-5
for the Western Digital...

As for Edric, I guess it *was* time for a name change after all - or it was
very close to that time when they last answered it wasn't time yet.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html