magnetized screw driver

[FrankSG]

I have a screw driver that is magnetized which I don't like. Isn't there a way to de-magnetize it? Thanks
~Frank~

[PrntRhd]

How was it magnetized?
If you used a doughnut magnetizer, wipe the tip on the outside of the magnetizer to demagnetize it.
Another solution would be to use an old tape head de-magnetizer from the cassette days.

[123456]

Magnetized screwdrivers are so much better than ordinary ones. Why wouldn't you want one over a normal one?

[FrankSG]

Magnetized screwdrivers are so much better than ordinary ones. Why wouldn't you want one over a normal one?

For one reason, it's the screw driver I use when working on my computer, and I don't think it's a good idea to work with a computer using anything that is magnetized. The other reason is that I just don't like it.

[FrankSG]

How was it magnetized?
If you used a doughnut magnetize, wipe the tip on the outside of the magnetize to demagnetize it.
Another solution would be to use an old tape head de-magnetize from the cassette days.

I'm not sure how it got magnetized, but now that you mentioned the doughnut magnetize, I think I have one. I'm going to take a look for it.

[mjc]

As long as you don't let a magnetized screwdriver rest, for an extended period of time (a few hours at least), on a hard drive, there's not much it's going to do to a computer.

[jlreich]

As long as you don't let a magnetized screwdriver rest, for an extended period of time (a few hours at least), on a hard drive, there's not much it's going to do to a computer.

Yep, I use them every day at work on computers and at home. Couldn't live without one. If I get one that isn't magnetized I make it magnetized.

[awaj]

if you want to de-magnetize it, you can always bake it for a bit, or hit it repetitively with something (a little force is needed so I can't guarantee that it will be usable...) I would not bake it at extremely hot temperatures that melt plastic, but a little hotter then the outside temp I wouldn't use anything that's warmer then boiling water....) and it should de-magnetize.

[FrankSG]

As long as you don't let a magnetized screwdriver rest, for an extended period of time (a few hours at least), on a hard drive, there's not much it's going to do to a computer.

Then my friend must be right. I have a good friend who works in the computer department of one of our local colleges. He was helping me with my computer one day and asked me for a small screw drive. I told him that the only small one I had was magnetized. He said, "That's OK." I said, "I thought you weren't supposed to use a magnetized screw driver in a computer." He said, "You've been reading too many books." I thought that he was just kidding me. So, I'm going to take your word for it. Thanks for the information.

[kiosk]

As long as you don't let a magnetized screwdriver rest, for an extended period of time (a few hours at least), on a hard drive, there's not much it's going to do to a computer.

Hard drive platters are fully enclosed in metal casings which prevent almost all kinds of EM radiation from reaching the platters, and it's been that way since the wee days of computing. The only hard drives I ever saw with plastic lids were 1990 and 1991-vintage Conner Peripherals drives. Doubtless there were other unshielded drives manufactured at some point, but I haven't seen any.

Even with the plastic lid, the magnetized screwdriver isn't powerful enough to mess with the data on the platters. However, I think floppies would be suspectible to the screwdriver - I'd try this theory out if I had a magnetized screwdriver kicking around.

[mjc]

It's more of messing with spindle and heads than the data...and/or causing dust/debris to pile up in one spot than data on the platter being erased. And I did say it had to be there for an extended period of time.

And yes, I have first hand experience with low strength magnets messing with floppies...

[jlreich]

Floppies are very susceptible to magnetism and unreliable to begin with.

[mjc]

My mother once put a floppy 'up' with a magnet on the refrigerator...and then wondered why it wasn't working...

[jlreich]

Rotflmao!!!

[awaj]

that's just as bad as a cd drive being used as a cup holder (except I can see that one actually working if you custom made the drive yourself...)

[mjc]

Needless to say i just shook my head and kept my mouth shut...

[yawningdog]

Hard drive platters are fully enclosed in metal casings which prevent almost all kinds of EM radiation from reaching the platters

Sorry, but this isn't true. There is exactly one known insulator for a magnetic field, and that is distance. As far as radiation goes, electro-static energy can be grounded out, thereby shutting out the RF as in a faraday cage. But it's not effective against magnetism alone.

[FrankSG]

Needless to say i just shook my head and kept my mouth shut...

.
A very wise man you are!

[Whyzman]

.
A very wise man you are!

Indeed, sometimes wisdom shows itself in what you choose not to say...