HDD Problems

[ben lizard]

Had a bit of accident with me laptop {came off me mountain bike } and smashed the screen and the HDD doesn't seem to spin up .

Question is this , it's going away for repair /scrapping how do i stop someone accessing information stored on the HDD as i have a lot of confiedental {sp} client information on there and don't want it anyone else to access it ?

Thanks

[sheepy]

Morning,

As far as I can see, you've got three options:

1) Connect the laptop to a monitor and see if you can get it to boot. It may be something simple causing the HDD not to spin, but atleast seeing an on-screen display may give you a clue.

2) As with 1, connect to a monitor, then boot off a floppy. Then see if you can access the HDD (there are tools on the web for diagnotics, the HDD manufacturer may be able to help.

If these fail then:

3) Remove the HDD before sending laptop for repair. The get a new HDD installed and use a specialist data recovery firm to recover the HDD data.

Hope this helps a bit,

Sheepy

[ben lizard]

Sheepy ,

thanks for the reply , i have all the info backed up on cd's anyway so recovering the info is not a problem but the warrantey says i can't remove the hdd myself so basically i don't want some one accessing client data if they get the hard drive up so is there anyway to wipe the disk clean without bieng able to format or power up the disk ?

cheers

[sheepy]

If you're not "allowed" to remove the HDD, then you may have to trust the repair company. From what you've said, sounds like the HDD may be damaged, which makes the chances of anyone being able to recover the data unlikely, but I would ask the question of the repairers : "What steps will you take to ensure the security of the data on the HDD, or to ensure it's secure destruction?"

Is the repairs being done by the original manufacturer or by the supplier? After the PCW / Garry Glitter thing, I can understand your concern.

Your best bet is to discuss your concerns with the repairers, failing that then do you have access to a large magnet?

Sorry to not be much help,

Sheepy

[sjg]

Sounds like you've already invalidated the warranty with that accidental damage (I take it you're sending it off to another repairer), so removing it shouldn't be a problem.

You can get an adaptor for around £5 which will let you plug the HD into a desktop PC - it may spin up and allow you to erase what's on there. Or if you're scrapping it (damage to that extent is rarely worth repairing unless you can source 2ndhand parts) just take it out and destroy the disk with something large and heavy.

[ben lizard]

Sjg ,

i do have alot of 14 pound hammers about but it think that wouldn't be classed as accidental

Hows about electromagnectic waves would they wipe it ?

[Fatboy]

If you're near oxford city centre, drop it in with me, and I'll terminally erase all data in a tick (access to 12T magnets), with no trace of any fiddling.

[tuffer]

If all of your data is backed up then just connect it to a monitor, boot from a flopy and fdisk the hdd, when you get it back restore the data.

[d3ano]

Fatboy said:

If you're near oxford city centre, drop it in with me, and I'll terminally erase all data in a tick (access to 12T magnets), with no trace of any fiddling.

whats a T12 magnet? Sounds like fun