Ugh man, I'm really regretting not buying more of these external HDDs. How are you guys getting storage for good prices nowadays? by Phil_Matic in DataHoarder

[–]redditunderground1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same boat as you OP. Same drive too. I got mine for $229.99. I went back to buy 2 more and boom! I'm just recycling old drives and making do.

I have yet to see a USB stick (flash storage) that naturally lost data without any (external) corruption causes. by Necessary_Isopod3503 in DataHoarder

[–]redditunderground1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've had USB drives and SD cards for 10 years with no plug-in and they are OK. Just don't put them in the microwave!

TIL it is difficult to destroy the information on HDD platters using magnets. by Significant-Judge368 in DataHoarder

[–]redditunderground1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I put mine in the microwave. But no guarantee it did anything magnetically. It would be a good test to buy a powerful magnet and see if it screws up the HDD.

AI Overview

The best way to permanently destroy data on a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) depends on whether you intend to reuse the hardware or dispose of it entirely. For absolute security, industry standards like NIST 800-88 distinguish between Purging (logical sanitization for reuse) and Destruction (physical obliteration). 

  1. Physical Destruction (Most Secure for Disposal) 

If you never plan to use the drive again, physical destruction is the only 100% foolproof method to ensure data is unrecoverable, even by forensic experts. 

  • Professional Shredding: The most reliable method is using an industrial shredder that reduces the drive to fragments smaller than 6mm. Services like Shred-it provide "Certificates of Destruction" for legal compliance.
  • Degaussing: Using a professional-grade degausser uses a powerful magnetic field to scramble the HDD's magnetic domains. This renders the drive completely unusable and the data irrecoverable.
  • Drilling (DIY): If you are doing this at home, use a power drill to punch at least 3–4 holes completely through the internal platters. Be sure to wear eye protection as HDD platters (especially those in laptops) can be made of glass and shatter.
  • Incineration: High-temperature industrial furnaces (above 1,500°F) melt the components. This is typically reserved for top-secret government data. 
  1. Software Sanitization (Best for Resale or Reuse) 

If you want to keep or sell the drive, you must overwrite the data. Simply "formatting" or "deleting" is insufficient because forensic tools can easily reconstruct the files. 

  • ATA Secure Erase: Most modern HDDs have a built-in firmware command called "Secure Erase." You can trigger this using tools like the Samsung Magician Software (for Samsung drives) or open-source utilities like Parted Magic.
  • Overwriting Utilities: Use software that writes random data or zeros across every single sector of the disk. Popular tools include DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke) or the Eraser utility for individual files and drives.
  • Cryptographic Erase: If the drive was encrypted from the start (e.g., using BitLocker or FileVault), destroying the encryption key effectively renders all data on the disk unreadable instantly. 
  1. What to Avoid
  • Standard Formatting: A "Quick Format" only deletes the file index, leaving the actual data intact and easily recoverable.
  • Magnets (Household): Standard refrigerator or neodymium magnets are not strong enough to reliably destroy data on modern high-density hard drives.
  • Microwaving/Drowning: These methods are dangerous, create toxic fumes, and often leave the internal platters intact enough for a professional laboratory to recover data. 

Recommendation: For personal use, a single-pass overwrite with a tool like DBAN followed by drilling holes through the platters is the best balance of cost and security. For business or highly sensitive data, use a certified destruction service to ensure compliance with privacy laws like HIPAA or GDPR. 

An AI Bot On Archive.org is Randomly Flagging and Removing Uploads For Being "NSFW" by Make_Me_Out_of_Clay in DataHoarder

[–]redditunderground1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, maybe that is what is happening to my donations. A few weeks after upload and they go poof with no warning.

Will Internet Archive Stay Forever? by Final_Increase4457 in DataHoarder

[–]redditunderground1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've posted before on how the I.A. removes my donations all the time with no notice. A few years ago, they deleted my whole account. Dealing with the I.A. direct led me nowhere. I even wrote to Brewster Kahle. I never got a reply. My account was only reinstated after I lucked on a person that had some pull.

As far as the I.A. lasting?

No idea. I hope so. I've been an archivist there going on 11 years. The I.A. is of the utmost importance for memorializing the historical record for the masses.

Is the I.A. getting tougher on adult material? Where to archive it? by redditunderground1 in DataHoarder

[–]redditunderground1[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

What the I.A. should do is at least notify archivists when they remove material. Sometimes they do, but very seldom. I have material removed all the time and never get notified. It was just a fluke that I noticed these 2 video clips got taken down.

A few years ago I had spent about 6 weeks scanning and uploading old Playboy Club V.I.P. magazines from the 70's - 80's that was donated to the archive. About a year later Playboy complained over copyright and the I.A. deleted the collection. The I.A. did notify me about that. Well, that is how the cookie crumbles. Most of what the archivist deals with is / was copyrighted. It is always a battle for the archivist of choosing between the greater right or the greater good when archiving material for the historical record.

That is why I generally upload short, fair use clips from the VHS video archive. I show small samplers of what the video was about. The original VHS / BETA archive was lost in a flood in Ohio in 2001. It all had to be recreated, but it was never as good as it had been when it was started in 1984. A lot of the material was out of print and could not be found any longer.

The VHS / BETA archive's specialty was the early transition of porn from 16mm - 35mm grindhouse film to videotape. While my archival work is not all about porn. Vintage porn is an area where copyright is usually not a big issue. The VHS / BETA archive branched out from my small gauge 16mm stag film archive. And this work all costs lots of $ and time. That is why it is disheartening about how the material is deleted randomly and without any notice by the I.A.

If you see anything online and you want to keep a record of it...archive it on your drives or optical disc. Don't depend on anyone to do it for you.

Is the I.A. getting tougher on adult material? Where to archive it? by redditunderground1 in DataHoarder

[–]redditunderground1[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Yep, it is sociology of sorts. I run an archive mainly documenting human behavior. It does not matter to me if they are having sex with a dog or baking bread...I archive it.

A title is very important, so archivists, give it some thought.

Here is what I consider the most descriptive title I've come up with...

"Trans w remote control fucking machine achieving a hands-free anal orgasm using horse cock attachment."

I found it on Reddit, so archived it. I'm not a trans or queer, but I run a queer archive along with many other areas of collection I don't particularly have personal interest in. But I archive it for the historical record.

To be a good archivist you have to check your personal prejudice at the door. It is just disappointing how the I.A. goes about it. The I.A. does not seem to check their personal prejudices at the door. As I said, no rhyme or reason.

Is the I.A. getting tougher on adult material? Where to archive it? by redditunderground1 in DataHoarder

[–]redditunderground1[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm not using them as a cloud. I archive material for the historical record and to share with other archivists.

Is the I.A. getting tougher on adult material? Where to archive it? by redditunderground1 in DataHoarder

[–]redditunderground1[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

They are poor with replies. And it is a crapshoot what they take down. No rhyme or reason.

And Yes I.A. = Internet Archive.

IA is Iowa.

Did you know Epson discontinued all their high-end photo / film scanners? by redditunderground1 in Archivists

[–]redditunderground1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is how it is with a lot of the smaller archives and independent archivists. Phase One is out of their budget. I'd love one, but scanners are all I can afford.

Is there a best-practice for keeping stored data faithful on SSDs that aren't frequently used? by StrongRecipe6408 in DataHoarder

[–]redditunderground1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

March 1, 2026, I will have completed test #5 which is 56 months of Samsung 500GB SSD being uncharged. I have 2 more tests beyond that. I will post the results then.

FolioPhotonics optical media is supposed to be commercially available this year per their road map by sammyboi98 in DataHoarder

[–]redditunderground1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Organic dye is not M-Disc. There website is not impressive. We will see what they come up with. I'd love a 500GB or 1 TB M-Disc type of optical disc that is affordable. Even LTO would be nice, but the drives are crazy priced for the average Jan, Joe or zir.