If you want to know what you should do with old hard drives you don’t want anymore, you’re in the right place! Here we will go over all of the different possibilities!
Old hard drives that are not wanted anymore should be disposed of. They could contain important information that should be kept private. There are other things like making decorations or using the hard drive for magnets that are great options if disposal of the hard drive isn’t an option.
If you don’t know what specifically to do with your hard drive, keep reading! All of the options are listed below!
Disposal of Hard Drive
Before you dispose of your hard drive, make sure you wipe it of any information. You wouldn’t want someone getting a hold of your personal information. This is why destroying and disposing of hard drives is the best option, because it safely ensures that nobody gets a hold of your information.
Here is how to dispose of a hard drive– first, you should remove the hard drive from your computer. Next, you have to take out the platters and circuit board in order to destroy all the information that might be left over on your hard drive. You can use a screwdriver to do this.
Now, this is the fun part. Take a drill and drill multiple holes in the platter. You could hammer it, put nails in, or do anything (safely) that will destroy the platter and circuit board.
After you destroy the hard drive, you need to recycle the contents. You can throw them in the recycling bin or take them to a technology recycling center. Both are great options!
What Not to do
Whatever you do to destroy the hard drive, do not put it in a microwave or burn it. Doing so could cause harmful fire or shrapnel to fly out and hurt someone or something. Just be safe and do it the right way.
Use for Decor
If your hard drive is dead and you want to upcycle it, somehow, here are three different options you could choose from!
Coaster
Some people will use old hard drives as a coaster. It’s shaped like a coaster, and could do the job of a coaster, so why not use it as a coaster? All you have to do is remove the hard drive from the monitor, wipe off any personal information, and use it as a coaster! You could even drill holes in it if you are still worried about there being info in it. This option is great if you want a unique coaster for your drinks!
Hanging decor
Another super unique option is to take apart the hard drive until you find the part that looks like a CD. After that, you can drill holes in the hard drive and tie a string on them. Once you have multiple of these, you can hang them all together and make an outdoor suncatcher decoration. This is great if you want to make sure your hard drives are put to good use.
Wall decor or mirror
This option is super special and not common, but it might be perfect for you! If you put the hard drive CD on your wall, it could make a beautiful decor. If you had multiple, you could even glue them together and make an art project out of them. This is great if you have time on your hands and want to do a little craft project. This could be kid-friendly as long as the hard drives are not chipped and as long as you are supervising the children the entire time.
Clock
This idea is my personal favorite because of how different it is. If you take apart your hard drive, you could make it into a clock. This requires a bit more knowledge and work, but is so worth it! Just follow the video linked above and you’ll have a clock to use as decoration! This option is great if you are big into upcycling and want a challenge! You will need the correct tools and some time to make it, but give it a shot!
Use its Magnets
Using the hard drive magnets could be exactly what you are looking for! If you are in need of magnets and want to get rid of your hard drive, consider taking the magnets off the hard drive and using them for your benefit. Things like refrigerator magnets and magnets for knives would be perfect! This idea may require a bit more dismantling of the hard drive, but it is essential if you want its magnets!
Second-Hand Storage
If your hard drive still works, consider using it as storage space for things you don’t want on your daily hard drive. This could make it so you could have more apps and storage space available. This is a great option for you if the hard drive still works but you want a new one, or if you want an extra one for more space.
Sell Hard Drive
If you want to make a little extra money and want to get rid of your hard drive, selling it might be the best choice for you. Selling hard drives can be a bit scary because they hold private information, but it is an option if you do it right. You need to go into your computer and erase any data and information that remains on your hard drive. This part is essential because someone else will be using it and you don’t want your personal data out there.
Once you make sure there is no information you can see on the hard drive, you can go onto Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or other selling platforms and list your hard drive. Something to remember with this option is that there could still be data on your hard drive even if you think you erased it all. This is why I don’t necessarily suggest this option, but it’s still an alternative possibility if you want.
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