Render DVDs Unusable?

Posted by CWLee on November 7, 2009, 6:57 pm

I have a number of DVDs containing
computer backup information of a
sensitive nature. I plan to throw away
the older ones, but first I want to
render the data on them irretrievable.
Can anyone here recommend a quick,
cheap, easy way to do that? I've heard
that drilling 2 or 3 1/4" holes in them
does the trick, but that is just a rumor
to me. What about placing them, one at
a time, in a vice, half clamped tight
and the other half then struck hard with
a hammer - hoping to break it in half?

Suggestions and experience reports
appreciated.

--
----------
CWLee
Former slayer of dragons; practice now
limited to sacred
cows. Believing we should hire for
quality, not quotas, and
promote for performance, not
preferences.

Posted by Tony Hwang on November 7, 2009, 7:15 pm

CWLee wrote:

> I have a number of DVDs containing computer backup information of a
> sensitive nature. I plan to throw away the older ones, but first I want
> to render the data on them irretrievable. Can anyone here recommend a
> quick, cheap, easy way to do that? I've heard that drilling 2 or 3 1/4"
> holes in them does the trick, but that is just a rumor to me. What about
> placing them, one at a time, in a vice, half clamped tight and the other
> half then struck hard with a hammer - hoping to break it in half?
> Suggestions and experience reports appreciated.

Hi,
Shredding is easy. Or cut it into couple pieces with scissors.

Posted by Mark on November 7, 2009, 7:54 pm

My new shredder handles CDs, but before that I used a sharpie to scribble
all over the CD. Remember that CDs aren't like old records, they are
recorded from the inside out, so be sure to mark over the center area of the
CD. scratching with a nail of knife would add an extra level of security..

With my new shredder, I still scribble on them before shredding - paranoid
maybe, but rather be sure I don't lose my personal data!

Posted by Tony Hwang on November 7, 2009, 9:30 pm

Mark wrote:

>> I have a number of DVDs containing computer backup information of a
>> sensitive nature. I plan to throw away the older ones, but first I
>> want to render the data on them irretrievable. Can anyone here
>> recommend a quick, cheap, easy way to do that? I've heard that
>> drilling 2 or 3 1/4" holes in them does the trick, but that is just a
>> rumor to me. What about placing them, one at a time, in a vice, half
>> clamped tight and the other half then struck hard with a hammer -
>> hoping to break it in half?
>> Suggestions and experience reports appreciated.
>> --
>> ----------
>> CWLee
>> Former slayer of dragons; practice now limited to sacred
>> cows. Believing we should hire for quality, not quotas, and
>> promote for performance, not preferences.

> My new shredder handles CDs, but before that I used a sharpie to
> scribble all over the CD. Remember that CDs aren't like old records,
> they are recorded from the inside out, so be sure to mark over the
> center area of the CD. scratching with a nail of knife would add an
> extra level of security..
> With my new shredder, I still scribble on them before shredding -
> paranoid maybe, but rather be sure I don't lose my personal data!

Hu,
If that is the method, then coarse sand paper or memery stone is easier.

Posted by Mark on November 8, 2009, 11:06 am

> Mark wrote:

>>> I have a number of DVDs containing computer backup information of a
>>> sensitive nature. I plan to throw away the older ones, but first I
>>> want to render the data on them irretrievable. Can anyone here
>>> recommend a quick, cheap, easy way to do that? I've heard that
>>> drilling 2 or 3 1/4" holes in them does the trick, but that is just a
>>> rumor to me. What about placing them, one at a time, in a vice, half
>>> clamped tight and the other half then struck hard with a hammer -
>>> hoping to break it in half?
>>> Suggestions and experience reports appreciated.
>>> --
>>> ----------
>>> CWLee
>>> Former slayer of dragons; practice now limited to sacred
>>> cows. Believing we should hire for quality, not quotas, and
>>> promote for performance, not preferences.

>> My new shredder handles CDs, but before that I used a sharpie to
>> scribble all over the CD. Remember that CDs aren't like old records,
>> they are recorded from the inside out, so be sure to mark over the
>> center area of the CD. scratching with a nail of knife would add an
>> extra level of security..
>> With my new shredder, I still scribble on them before shredding -
>> paranoid maybe, but rather be sure I don't lose my personal data!

> Hu,
> If that is the method, then coarse sand paper or memery stone is easier.

True! But I generally keep those in my workshop and not my computer room!
Bottom line - any way you can destroy the surface of the CD or DVD will
render it useless.

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