Q: Just out of interest, how recoverable is a smashed HDD? Say MI5, CIA, NSA or whoever get hold of it. Just format it? Burn it? Rub a magnet on it? Chop it up? Melt it into a lump? I'm guessing that last one's pretty secure :p Detailed answers appreciated :) I don't want to do it to mine lol. Just interested, really! How damaged a disc can experts like police/goverment agencies get meaningful data from? This is the main question I suppose. MIB?
A: You need to run over it with a steamroller then place a small explosive device onto the drive discs, peel the remaining layers off of the discs and then for good measure burn in a crematorium at 1700 degrees F for about 2 hours.