Question Can I still use an OLD HD

[Recruiter]

I still have my very old HD (Dated Mar 2008) that came from my tower running Vista. When I switched to a laptop, I purchased a SATA drive converter to USB, which I still have.
The "new" laptop was running Win 8, but I still needed to move a lot of sensitive data.
It's a Hitachi Deskstar 7200RPM, 750GB drive. Model #HDS721075KLA330, if that helps. I got the inclination to try to use it as an external data backup drive.
Obviously, I would have to format the drive first, without it interfering with my current HD.
Anyone think this is still possible/advisable or am I simply on a fool's errand.
If so, I need to know the best way to do it.
FYI: it was partitioned with 2 OS on it - both Vista, and 2 data partitions.
Thanks

 

[Darkbreeze]

Any drive that old is a very bad choice as a "backup" unless it's only one of multiple backups that will have the same information on it. That drive is 16 years old. Generally, I trash any HDD that is more than ten years old unless it's something I know for certain has been barely used and even then I will still only use it as a second backup in case something happens to the original and first backup.

Plus, that is one of the worst hard drives of all time. They used to be known as Deathstar instead of Deskstar, because they failed so often, so quickly and so spectacularly that usually anything on them was just gone.

 

[USAFRet]

17 years old.

You can use it, right up to the moment it dies.

Being already 17 years old, that date is probably quite soon.

A Hitachi DeathStar? Amazing it still works.

 

[Darkbreeze]

17 years old.

You can use it, right up to the moment it dies.

Being already 17 years old, that date is probably quite soon.

A Hitachi DeathStar? Amazing it still works.

Amazing it worked after the first year.

 

[Recruiter]

Any suggestions how to best wipe the drive clean before I junk it?
Believe it or not, it did still work. (I plugged it in out of curiosity)

 

[CelicaGT]

Amazing it worked after the first year.

Usually any drive that makes it a year makes it a decade. This IS a deathstar however so ya, amazing is an understatement.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Any suggestions how to best wipe the drive clean before I junk it?
Believe it or not, it did still work. (I plugged it in out of curiosity)

Drill four holes of any size directly all the way through the entire drive. Like so, where the red dots are. Three through the platters and one through the head assembly actuator arm. Nobody is ever getting anything off of it after that, I don't care who they are.

 

[Recruiter]

Thanks Darkbreeze

 

[evermorex76]

A hammer is way more fun.

 

[USAFRet]

Fridge magnet donor.

 

[ex_bubblehead]

A hammer is way more fun.

Not nearly as much fun as setting one up at the end of the firing range and taking shots from 1000 yards with a .50 cal sniper rifle

 

[evermorex76]

Not nearly as much fun as setting one up at the end of the firing range and taking shots from 1000 yards with a .50 cal sniper rifle

At my last job we collected drives from old client machines for destruction (before we were having them certified destroyed) and one couple of my military coworkers took home about 15 each to shoot with their 9mm. Apparently it was enjoyable. I wonder if an indoor firing range (rent-a-gun) would let you bring stuff in for destruction. Forget a baseball bat to a laser printer - take a Tommy gun to it.

What's the largest piece left after a hit with a 50-cal? Or does it go so fast it just blows through without blowing it apart?

As to fridge door magnets: you do want to be able to remove the kids' artwork from the fridge one day.

 

[USAFRet]

As to fridge door magnets: you do want to be able to remove the kids' artwork from the fridge one day.

They will slide to an edge....😉

 

[evermorex76]

They will slide to an edge....😉

Hopefully without scratching.

 

[USAFRet]

Hopefully without scratching.

The only thing touching the fridge is the paper, so....

 

[evermorex76]

The only thing touching the fridge is the paper, so....

With a normal magnet it's fine. But with a drive magnet, there would be more pressure and friction, could rip the paper and drag it out from under the magnet. I imagine a brushed steel finish would do that.

 

[USAFRet]

With a normal magnet it's fine. But with a drive magnet, there would be more pressure and friction, could rip the paper and drag it out from under the magnet. I imagine a brushed steel finish would do that.

I get what you're saying.
But I've been doing this forever....