mass destroying backup tapes???

[BobMCT]

Cleaning house and moving to a new system. I've got hundreds of 8mm backup tapes to toss. Can anyone recommend a workable method to render the recordings unreadable without erasing each tape in a drive (it would take years.....)???

I tried using one of those HUGE magnets actually placing the magnet on the top of the tape cartridge and moving it in a back and forth and circular motion figuring this will definitely do the trick. Then I placed the tape into the drive and was able to restore from it and read the restored data (OUCH!). Can't throw that away!

Any ideas? Sledgehammer? Run them over with a bulldozer?

Thanks,

Bob

 

[p5wizard]

incinerator?

HTH,

p5wizard

 

[hirschaj]

How about renting a wood chipper. That would cause a lot less poisonous smoke than an incinerator ;-)


Jim Hirschauer

http://www.aixexpert.com

 

[motoslide]

Most document shredding companies have machines big enough to accept tape cartridges.

A bulk eraser should work as well, and would only cost a small amount. I have a degausing coil which alternates the magnetic field. These were commonly used by the old TV repair facilities, so you could find one where they go for parts and tools.

 

[RMGBELGIUM]

As it is cold and winter time, I'd feed them to the fireplace.Then you will have enjoyed the tapes to their fullest

rgds,

R.

 

[p5wizard]

Yes Hirschaj, I agree, a woodchipper is more environmentally friendly. Of course you would need to get rid of the shredded bits, so perhaps a concrete mixer plus cement, sand and gravel and turn your tapes into a parking lot?

Or get a digital-8 camcorder and use the tapes for video surveillance of your brand new servers in the computer room? I'll bet you'd never run out of tapes.


HTH,

p5wizard

 

[sbix]

I do disagree with RMGBELGIUM... mag tapes produce very stinky smoke in the fireplace... you can't even use to cook wurstel or sausages... never heard of potatoes a la mag tapes....

 

[BocaBurger]

Possible solution: Desolve them. Magnetic coating is held on to tape with adhesive. Find the solvent, drop the tapes into it and you will have all your data floating in an irrecoverable soup.

Better than bulk eraser.

I don't think they would have enough volume to help with the size of the parking lot





BocaBurger
<===========================||////////////////|0
The pen is mightier than the sword, but the sword hurts more!

 

[BobMCT]

Hey - that sounds good! Now, recommend a solvent?

 

[BobMCT]

Hey -
I was just thinking about this. What about bringing all my old tapes to a scrap metal yard and having them lower their elctromagnetic crane down on top of them and zapping them?

Do you think there will be sufficient magnetic field to render them useless?

 

[BocaBurger]

Aqua regia, hydroflouric acid, MEC, acetone, liquid glass or steel? ;^)

Actually I think MEC is the chemical used by several companies. If memory serves, it is methylethylchloride.






BocaBurger
<===========================||////////////////|0
The pen is mightier than the sword, but the sword hurts more!

 

[KenCunningham]

An alternative to the burning approach might be to simply melt them on a large metal tray or in a metal box. Less toxic release that way, hopefully.

 

[mrn]

Put them near my kids and tell them not to touch them....

Mike

"A foolproof method for sculpting an elephant: first, get a huge block of marble, then you chip away everything that doesn't look like an elephant."

http://www.airport-parking-site.co.uk/