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+--- Thread: Wiping an Unmountable Hard Drive (/showthread.php?tid=74003)
Wiping an Unmountable Hard Drive - Kate - 03-09-2009
I have an external Seagate 500gb hard drive that has suddenly refused to mount.
I've been backing up to it for a few months, but suddenly, I just can't get it to mount (MacBook Pro, core 2 duo 2.33ghz, 3gb ram, system 10.4.11). It gets power (the light comes on and I can feel movement) and I've tried it with different cables, it just won't mount.
Since it's still under warranty I can return it for replacement, but I'd sure like to wipe it before I send it in for replacement.
Anyone have a clue as to how to wipe the info when it wont mount?
Kate
Re: Wiping an Unmountable Hard Drive - Carm - 03-09-2009
Try using a Windows machine to get it to boot.
Joe
Re: Wiping an Unmountable Hard Drive - Harbourmaster - 03-09-2009
Put it in the microwave on "High" for about 30 seconds... ought to do it.
of course that might void your warranty...............
Re: Wiping an Unmountable Hard Drive - Black - 03-09-2009
http://www.sciplus.com/category.cfm/subsection/11/category/117
Re: Wiping an Unmountable Hard Drive - crispy - 03-09-2009
Check your firmware, sounds like the Seagate fiasco where the head parks itself waiting to be unlocked by Seagate Data Recovery Technicians.
Re: Wiping an Unmountable Hard Drive - Kate - 03-09-2009
I looked at the sciplus site, not sure what I'm looking for?
And how do I check the firmware when I can't get it to mount?
Kate
Re: Wiping an Unmountable Hard Drive - RAMd®d - 03-09-2009
BL was referring to using powerful magnets to damage the HD.
And no, you can't really know the firmware version with out mounting.
If the drive won't boot on a PC, you *might* be able to carefully remove it from the enclosure and see if it will boot if connected as an internal drive, or in a different enclosure.
These days, I'd almost consider an HD warranty worthless if you keep anything of value on the drive. Since you can't know when a drive will fail, you will almost never have a chance to back up and wipe the HD before it dies.
If your HD has personal financial information or *special* pics, you might want to consider it disposable and smash the HD with a BFH, Kate.
I don't know if a microwave would damage the platters or just the circuit board.
Re: Wiping an Unmountable Hard Drive - Black - 03-10-2009
I would take the drive out of the case and see if it still works long before smashing it with a hammer.