Comments on: Floppy Disk Disposal

By: bob

bob — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 04:10:01 +0000

I don’t even bother to format my old floppies – if you have an old speaker of any kind, mangle the data on the disk with the magnet at the center of the speaker (the bigger/stronger the magnet the better). This will make it all but impossible for data thieves to recover data you thought was gone. Simply set the floppy on the magnet for 4 or 5 seconds, give it a spin on the magnet if you want to “play around” a little (good for intern boredom). Plastic-encased floppies (like the 3.5 inchers) may take a little longer.

And if you want to go a little further, put a good, deep scratch on the surface of the disk itself. Most “data miners” and dumpster divers won’t even bother to try to read a disk if they see the recording surface is physically damaged.
(Shredding the disk is a sign of paranoia – see your local mental health department unless you work for some “spook” agency.)

Better safe than sorry.

By: medical instruments

medical instruments — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 21:14:41 +0000

I thought about getting a floppy disk a few years ago, then I thought “why should I”. They only hold like 1.4 MB’s anyways…

By: Houston electronic recycling services

Houston electronic recycling services — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:50:31 +0000

I most definitely have found help recycling electronics for the office

By: SGiles

SGiles — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:51:06 +0000

You can purchase the floppy disk connectors that plug into your PC through a USB device. After you transfer your information over to your computer, send them to a place that will recycle them. Try a google search for such a place … I’m sure they are out there.

By: Jodith

Jodith — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:55:14 +0000

This is a really good point. Another option is to contract with a disposal company who is bonded to deal with confidential information. The company we used at my last job for our confidential shredding also disposed of our floppy disks, CD/DVDs, and old harddrives.

Also, don’t forget typewriter ribbons. While most of us don’t use typewriters any longer, some offices still do, and you can actually read everything typed with the single use type ribbons. So dispose of those properly as well.

By: clean hard drive

clean hard drive — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:38:28 +0000

Even if you remove files from your floppy disk and format the data before disposal, there may still be ways others can retrieve information from your disk, given enough time and money.

If your floppy disks contain information that you are concerned about others having a chance of retrieving, you may want to consider shredding your floppy disks after formatting. You should be able to find floppy disk shredders at your local office supply store, or check Google for “multimedia shredder” or “floppy disk shredder”. Note that some of these units can get quite expensive.

By: Jodith

Jodith — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:20:12 +0000

Thanks for the tip! I had no idea anyone recycled old diskettes. I’ll need to add them to my links list.

By: Denise

Denise — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:51:31 +0000

It’s great to reformat, but why put the disk in a landfill? Lot’s of places will recycle them. Just do a quick online search to find the best option. One place that will reformat and recycle is GreenDisk.

By: Atniz

Atniz — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:56:31 +0000

Another simple way without waiting to get grrr grrr sound during formating is to break it. I think it is a great reliever too. Maybe, you should try it.

By: Jodith

Jodith — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:46:13 +0000

Unfortunately, the only way to transfer the info from a floppy is if you have a floppy drive.

You can get a usb floppy from New Egg for 17.99 plus shipping.

If you are under HIPAA requirements for client confidentiality or have other ethical/confidentiality issues, I do recommend purchasing one to make sure all floppies are clean before disposing of them.

And, of course, you might have some historical documents that you may wish to archive. I know that even as little as ten years ago, some offices used floppy disks as their main file storage, rather than keeping files on the hard drive.

By: Debbie Lane

Debbie Lane — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:58:45 +0000

is there a way to transfer the information from a floppy to another source? I don't have a floppy drive and would have to get a USB floppy drive, first I think. Debbie Lane's last blog post..Monday Morning Musing....