I have a couple of CD-Rs that I'm going to throw away. But they have some personal data on them that I want to get rid of. If I take a propane torch to the disks and get them good and hot, shouldn't that destroy the data? Or is there a better way? Thanks. ~Frank~

Skeet is more fun... :p

LOL, FTT! :D

Right underneath the label is where the data is held. A torch to the label side should do it if you're paranoid - the downside will be the noxious fumes. I generally just break mine - the downside there is that they occasionally shatter or break where I'm holding them, so I put them in an old shirt or something first.

Preferred Method Of Destruction:

16 lb sledge hammer and a bad day at work....

Microwaving is good too!
See http://raptor.physics.wisc.edu/wacky/cd/

Microwaving is good too!
Yep, I've heard about that, too. Let me pull up google real quick...

Ah yes, here's (http://www.cdrfaq.org/faq07.html#S7-8) where I saw it.

Says to put it on a coffee mug partially filled with water and microwave it on high for about 5 seconds. Turn off the lights and enjoy the show! :cool:

Now this (http://www.electricstuff.co.uk/cdzap.html) looks interesting!

Take one CD, Microwave at full power for 5 seconds, and place on top of tesla coil. Enjoy!

http://www.redremote.co.uk/electricstuff/cd1.jpg

I think any of the above will work. But boy, I'd hate to meet the guy who swings a 16lb. hammer at work! Even on a good day... :eek:

sharp sissors! Then disect into about 12 pieces. Or sharp, pointed, knife and score disk surface deeply about 10 - 12 times.

I broke them up into pieces. I used two pair of pliers so that I wouldn't cut my hand with the sharp edges--and they are sharp. If anyone does it this way, be careful. The ones I did shattered quite a bit and they fly all over. You have to be careful that a piece doesn't fly up and hit your eye. If I ever do it that way again, I'll probably put on my goggles to protect my eyes.