DISKSTROYER™

 TROUBLESHOOTING

 Q: My hard disk is still in my computer. How do I get it out?

A: There are so many different brands and models of computers on the market that it is functionally impossible for us to give you the needed step-by-step directions to remove your disk.

We can give you the general steps required to remove the disk but you will need to consult your computer manufacturer’s website for the exact directions for your computer.

DESKTOP COMPUTER:

The basic steps are to disconnect the power cord from the back of your computer, open the computer cabinet, locate your disk drive, unplug the cables from the back of it (you’ll find a ribbon cable and a power cable), remove the retaining screws from the sides and then slide out the disk. There are some models that don’t have retaining screws but use clips instead.

LAPTOP COMPUTER:

In most laptop computers the disk drive is either under the keyboard, under an access panel on the bottom or is removed from the side.

The best advice we can offer you for this step is to consult your computer manufacturer’s website. They should have detailed directions there on how to remove the disk from your particular brand and model of computer.

The tools in the DISKSTROYER™ kit can be used to remove your hard disk once you have the directions from the manufacturer’s website.

Q: I can’t find the proper screwdriver tip to remove a screw? Is my kit missing something?

A: Probably not. You’ve probably tried the screwdriver tips that were packaged with the screwdriver. Those are the Phillips and flat blade tips. Most disk drives also use “Torx” screws. These are also frequently called, “star” tips. The DISKSTROYER™ kit includes the Torx bits that you should need. If you look in the box you’ll see a red plastic holder with 6 very small Torx screwdriver tips. These will most likely be needed to disassemble and destroy your hard disk.

Q: I can’t find the magnet. Is it missing from my kit?

A: The neodymium rare earth magnet is packaged attached to the pivot point on the pliers. It is possible that it got transferred to some other metal tool during shipping. Take a careful look on each metal tool for the magnet. You’ll need to look carefully since the magnet is very small. It’s only 5/16” in diameter and 1/8” thick.

Q: My box does not look like the one pictured in the directions. Now what do I do?

A: The manual was written showing one of the possible shipping boxes we use. You will still use the utility knife to cut along the taped seams and then flatten out the box. All of the different boxes we use will be able to be flattened and used as a work surface for this process.

Q: I’ve removed the screws from the top of the disk but the top won’t come off. How do I get the top off now?

A: You’ve probably just missed one or more screws that are holding the top on. The disk will have screws around the edge of the drive and some more in the middle of the top covered by screws. If you’re unsure if a sticker is covering a screw go, ahead and remove it using the utility knife. We’re sure that you’ll find that one of those stickers is covering a screw. Once you’ve located the additional screws, remove them and the top should then easily come off.

Q: I can’t get a screw out. The screwdriver just spins in the screw head and won’t move it. Now what do I do?

A: First, verify that you’re using the correct screwdriver tip. The proper tip, when inserted in an undamaged screw head, will feel very secure and will have very little wiggle room. If you’re using too small of a tip you risk damaging the screw head.

If you’ve been using too small of a screwdriver tip and damaged the head of the screw, the screwdriver will no longer work to remove it. You can try using the needle nose pliers. If you can get a good grip on the outside of the screw head you can try getting the screw out using the pliers.

If using the pliers does not work then it’s likely that you damaged the screw head too much and you’ll have to have the screw drilled out or have the screw head ground off. This may sound like an expensive or hard job but it really isn’t. You can take your disk drive to most any local computer repair shop and they should be able to do it. You can also try most any machine shop or even an automotive repair shop and it will probably be cheaper too! They should be able to quickly drill out the damaged screw in just a few minutes while you wait.

Q: I’ve had a lot of disk drives to destroy and all of the Aluminum Oxide Sanding Cloth pieces are now worn out. How can I get more pieces to destroy more disk drives?

A: You can buy more of our heavy duty Aluminum Oxide Sanding Cloth from us from our website. It’s available on our PRODUCTS page.