Bulk erase methods

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They have to be formatted after a bulk erase anyway. You're just
moving the time needed for the format to the point at which they're
needed (and perhaps needed *now*), rather than when one is doing
something else and can feed the drive.
perfect


DOn't count on them (perhaps including the microwave) being useful
after the nuking. ....particularly 3-1/2" floppies.

they wont be if it arcs. worth a try.


NT

 

[Keith Williams]

they wont be if it arcs. worth a try.

Yes, consider the shutter on a 3-1/2" diskette.

 

[Rich Grise]

You'd be surprised how easy it is to recover data from a floppy that
has only been formatted. All you need is a scope and patience. The
azimuth variations between any two drives make the "lost" data readable
easily on another drive.

I've even heard of an "unformat" utility, that just rewrote the old
sectors and brought all of the data back. Of course, this could be
just one of those stories.


Thanks!
Rich

 

[Rich Grise]

I'll try this actuator magnet later, and also the microwave.

For Heaven's Sakes, DO NOT PUT A FLOPPY IN THE MICROWAVE!
It will not erase it, and could damage the microwave.

Go to Rat Shack, spring seven bucks or whatever for a bulk
tape eraser, and do it.

Or, take a microwave oven transformer, cut off the secondary
and throw it away, and with a Dremel or die grinder, cut
a slot in the part of the core where the secondary was.
Plug it in, and pass the floppies through the slot. ;-P

Good Luck!
Rich

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

Years ago, bulk magnetic tape erasers were sold for erasing reel-to-reel
magnetic tapes. You might be able to find one in an antiques store ;-)
and use it for your purpose.

Al

I use to use one of my old Weller 8200 soldering guns to erase
floppies. Pull the trigger and run the disk over the side of the
transformer in its body. It did a good job on 5 1/4" & 8" floppies. I
do a full format on used HD 3 1/2" disks to test for bad sectors and
pitched any disk with more than a couple bad sectors.

--
Link to my "Computers for disabled Veterans" project website deleted
after threats were telephoned to my church.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

 

[Rich Grise]

I use to use one of my old Weller 8200 soldering guns to erase
floppies. Pull the trigger and run the disk over the side of the
transformer in its body. It did a good job on 5 1/4" & 8" floppies. I
do a full format on used HD 3 1/2" disks to test for bad sectors and
pitched any disk with more than a couple bad sectors.

Y'know, I'd think that the strongest field would be alongside
the two struts that the tip screws to. At least as far as "out
in the air, erasing floppy disks" - obviously, the strongest
field is inside the core, i.e., not involved in erasing floppies.


Cheers!
Rich

 

[[email protected]]

I use to use one of my old Weller 8200 soldering guns to erase
floppies. Pull the trigger and run the disk over the side of the
transformer in its body. It did a good job on 5 1/4" & 8" floppies. I
do a full format on used HD 3 1/2" disks to test for bad sectors and
pitched any disk with more than a couple bad sectors.

clever, ta

NT