Suggestions on how to clean out data on a corrupted External HDD
Seagate Model SRD00F1 2TB External HDD connected to mid 2010- 27” iMac running OS Mavericks 10.9.5
Hi.. looking for suggestions how to remedy:
A) recover or restore function
B) brute force delete or wipe clean personal data
On a 2TB Seagate External HDD that after 3 weeks has stopped responding to my iMac - no light, no recognition. Can hear it spinning and attempting to read/write to no avail.
Is not recognized by finder any longer, nor Disk Manager..
I purchased at costco and am happy to return for replacement but wont’ do this (will eat the cost) if i can’t ensure that the data has been swiped clean.
Hi.. looking for suggestions how to remedy:
A) recover or restore function
B) brute force delete or wipe clean personal data
On a 2TB Seagate External HDD that after 3 weeks has stopped responding to my iMac - no light, no recognition. Can hear it spinning and attempting to read/write to no avail.
Is not recognized by finder any longer, nor Disk Manager..
I purchased at costco and am happy to return for replacement but wont’ do this (will eat the cost) if i can’t ensure that the data has been swiped clean.
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If you have sensitive data that you don't want even theoretically someone to have access to it, then buy your self a new external HDD (buying software will cost you close to the HDD price + HDD might be unresponsive). Keep in mind that when you are buying Seagate external HDD, you have different models.
Extension = HDD can be plugged while PC is running and have better specs/quality (I am not recommending 3.5" because you need power supply for that size and that is extra risk)
Backup = Use only for backup (this HDD will die quickly if you are keeping it attached all the time to the PC + same story for the 3.5" size)
Extension = HDD can be plugged while PC is running and have better specs/quality (I am not recommending 3.5" because you need power supply for that size and that is extra risk)
Backup = Use only for backup (this HDD will die quickly if you are keeping it attached all the time to the PC + same story for the 3.5" size)
You can also try pulling the drive from the enclosure. Sometimes the actual drive is fine, and it is just the USB interface electronics in the enclosure that have failed. We use an inexpensive USB connector like this for simple diagnosis tasks.
https://www.amazon.com/Mosuch-Adapter-Converter-Optical-External/dp/B002OV1VJW
Of you can just buy a new enclosure for about the same price.
You can generally find teardown instructions on youtube. Not sure if this is your identical device, but you can at least get the basic idea:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-14cbupb3mE
https://www.amazon.com/Mosuch-Adapter-Converter-Optical-External/dp/B002OV1VJW
Of you can just buy a new enclosure for about the same price.
You can generally find teardown instructions on youtube. Not sure if this is your identical device, but you can at least get the basic idea:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-14cbupb3mE
The only way to securely wipe a drive is to put it through a chipper
ASKER
Appreciate the feedback.. i can hear loud constant click-presuming it’s a bad drive.. it was connected as the time machine backup and i think it ran daily for about 3 weeks. (Noted on making sure it isn’t overworked)..
Plan is to take it to costco and see if they’ll just give me a replacement - as long as they’re ok with me driving a few choice drill bits into the body.. otherwise, i’ll Get another external HDD and call it a day..
Plan is to take it to costco and see if they’ll just give me a replacement - as long as they’re ok with me driving a few choice drill bits into the body.. otherwise, i’ll Get another external HDD and call it a day..
They may not take it back with holes through it, but you had said you were prepared to write it off. If you give it to them whole and it is making noises, they won't likely repair it but will not guarantee to "shred" your data
ASKER
LVL99 - once i show them it’s defective, i was going to ask their permission to drill it before they throw it in the defective products bin.. otherwise it becomes paperweight at home.. and i’ll Just consider it cost of backup..
Thanks and by all means ask them. They might agree with you.
Or use one of the many good Mac wipe utilities.
bcwipe is one of the most widely used wipe programs.
This program allows all sorts of multi pass wipe schemes.