'Destroying' DVD-R

Exodus · 24 Dec 2009

Hey guys,

I just put some data onto 2 DVD-Rs, being stupid I forgot to password protect the files and encrypt the file name so if anyone got hold of these DVDs now theyd have access to all the files on there.
So I was wondering if theres a way to get rid of the data on there? Theyre not re-writable, im aware of that but is there program that like ruins all the data on there so that it cant be accessed? Or even password protect the whole DVD itself?

If not, about physically destroying it? I dont have access to a shredder, so what other options are available? I was thinking about getting a pair of compasses and scratching the top so it wont be able to be read, but any other ideas?

Thanks

Minotar · 24 Dec 2009

Exodus said:

Hey guys,

I just put some data onto 2 DVD-Rs, being stupid I forgot to password protect the files and encrypt the file name so if anyone got hold of these DVDs now theyd have access to all the files on there.
So I was wondering if theres a way to get rid of the data on there? Theyre not re-writable, im aware of that but is there program that like ruins all the data on there so that it cant be accessed? Or even password protect the whole DVD itself?

If not, about physically destroying it? I dont have access to a shredder, so what other options are available? I was thinking about getting a pair of compasses and scratching the top so it wont be able to be read, but any other ideas?

Thanks

Burn it.
Format it,should work.
Go to my computer with the cd in the drive,right click,format.

Whats so important anyway? i joke lol

richc46 · 24 Dec 2009

Minotar said:

Exodus said:

Hey guys,

I just put some data onto 2 DVD-Rs, being stupid I forgot to password protect the files and encrypt the file name so if anyone got hold of these DVDs now theyd have access to all the files on there.
So I was wondering if theres a way to get rid of the data on there? Theyre not re-writable, im aware of that but is there program that like ruins all the data on there so that it cant be accessed? Or even password protect the whole DVD itself?

If not, about physically destroying it? I dont have access to a shredder, so what other options are available? I was thinking about getting a pair of compasses and scratching the top so it wont be able to be read, but any other ideas?

Thanks

Burn it.
Format it,should work.
Go to my computer with the cd in the drive,right click,format.

Whats so important anyway? i joke lol

I do not know how important the information is, but format may not be the final asnwer. Try a zero format, that should do it.

here is good information. By the way when I went for the information, its format zero not the other way.

http://www.techsupportforum.com/hard...zero-fill.html

Exodus · 24 Dec 2009

Thanks for your quick replies, will this method work even though theyre DVD-Rs and theyre not re-writable?

richc46 · 24 Dec 2009

Exodus said:

Thanks for your quick replies, will this method work even though theyre DVD-Rs and theyre not re-writable?

Good point, did not think of that angle. But very easy to find out, just install in drive and try to format.

PooMan UK · 24 Dec 2009

Use the microwave ..... (and it looks cool when your doing it) :)

Exodus · 24 Dec 2009

The disc cant be formatted as I expected. So any other ideas?

Oh and putting it in the microwave, does it ruin the microwave ahaha?

PooMan UK · 24 Dec 2009

Well the microwave isn't the best solution, but when I tried it ... it worked, and the microwave is still cooking

But if your mum is gonna give you a hard time ... best that you jump up and down on them a bit then take a hammer to them

ccatlett1984 · 24 Dec 2009

scratching the top of the disc (label side) until the foil starts coming off will make them completely useless.

logicearth · 24 Dec 2009

ccatlett1984 said:

scratching the top of the disc (label side) until the foil starts coming off will make them completely useless.

That only works for CDs. DVDs are different, the actual dips and bumps are sandwich between the top and bottom plates. And the only way to secure your data on the DVD is to destroy it physically.