Hello :)
I've got a number of single use DVDs +R and -R that were used for backups of my computer.
I want to make the data on them unreadable so I can throw them out now.
Does anyone have experience with any software, which will write over the DVDs, despite the fact they are +R or -R and have been used once?
Thank you
Or even the old fashioned scissors, if you don't have a shredder that is capable. Can be a great stress relief exercise.
That said, the easiest way? Let a friend borrow them. They're guaranteed to be returned in such a bad condition that no one has hope of recovering data from them again. :P
I once heard that a microwave was an entertaining way to destroy CD's and would assume DVD's would work the same. Very colourful apparently although I never tried and apparently it may also destroy the microwave… so attempt at your own risk!
Just searched: YouTube gives some visual examples of microwave in practice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5i8jgk1H6I
Otherwise see here for some more handy hints on destroying CD's and DVD's - note the warnings as well: http://www.wikihow.com/Destroy-a-CD-or-DVD
Does anyone have experience with any software, which will write over the DVDs, despite the fact they are +R or -R and have been used once?
i wouldn't rely on software to do this
just use fire, hammer, just improvise
i know google makes their hard drives non-readerable by actually placing it into a machine that literally smashes the hard drive into thousands of pieces
if you really want to stuff it up pull out the film that's actaully getting burned? Gotta split the dvd into 2 first to get to it.
5-10 seconds in a microwave. Put it in a plastic bag so that the fumes don't get into your microwave. Have your videocam ready to film the fun.
Thanks everyone.
-> Shadowsfury
I can split the dvds but, how do I pull the film out?
At the moment I just rub the two shiny sides back and forth and stuff across each other, leaving them thoroughly scratched up, then put the separate pieces (I've already cut the DVD into pieces) into different bags to get rid of at different times.
I am possibly overly conscious of security measures :P
Not the real Blendtec guy, but the result is suitable for even the most paranoid Ozbargainer…
DVD smoke. Don't breathe that!
I thought microwaving or cooking DVDs in the oven, will potentially line those areas with toxic substances :S
microwave.
angle grinder.
blender.
lawnmower.
train tracks.
Blowtorch
have fun!!!
Dettol + Fire= Invisible Fire(well blue)
:P I've actually read most of these suggestions.
I specifically don't want:
- shards of plastic flying around
- ruining of devices (or requiring special cleaning with potential of introducing poisonous fumes or dust into myself later)
- playing with fire
- having to work with power tools :P
That's why I asked about if anyone had experience with software that will happily write over a DVD +R or -R , regardless of whether it's been written on already! :P
You can't overwrite those things from software because your burner will refuse to recognise them as something that can be written over. As you are fully aware, the burner really causes physical change in the dye layer with laser heat. Hence your methods will necessarily involve physical force, chemicals or heat (microwave).
Just put them in a sealed plastic bag and then into the microwave like I suggested.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-CROSS-CUT-PAPER-CD-CREDIT-CAR… shouldn't end up with plastic shards flying around.
However I recently read about some burners that do implement a overwrite function using a high powered laser. They are probably expensive though.
flip the dvd over to the film side and rub it on concrete or something
The solution I've gone with:
1- cut into two or more pieces
2- this allows the dvd to come apart (it has 2 plastic layers, with the film protected between the two)
3- expose the film layer and rub the disc surfaces against each other; after a short time the discs are scuffed up; Tape can also be used at this point (press sticky side of tape to film and it just pulls off in fragments)
4- put pieces in different bins
5- dispose of different bags in different locations over time
It's probably overkill since I just want to prevent identity theft, but on the plus side, it's got a good chance of having ruined most of the data and made it extremely difficult to restore from :)
That's why I asked about if anyone had experience with software that will happily write over a DVD +R or -R , regardless of whether it's been written on already! :P
OK.. I finally found what I was looking for.
There IS a system that sounds perfect for DVD-R and CDR… LiteOn "Smart Erase"
http://www.liteonit.com/global/index.php?option=com_content&…
How does SmartErase work?
When you rewrite a write once disc, all the original data will be overwritten, and this disc can no longer read by a drive. This is how SmartErase works.
SmartErase will rewrite CD-R/DVD±R with random meaningless characters so that the original data and the disc will be destroyed. Once you "SmartErased" a disc, you don't have to worry about that someone will access the confidential data from the disc you dumped.
I think that all this really does is allows the drive to stop blocking the ability to write onto a finalised Write Once disk. In other words, it treats it like a RW disk, and when the laser does the second burn, the disk is trashed because it's not designed to be used that way.
Google it for reviews etc.
wow thanks llama :)
I disc shredder should be adequate. Unless you think your data needs to be more protected?