Use them in period correct retro builds. 8.4GB and less are perfect for DOS systems, as they match the maximum formatted partition space. If you have room, just store them until you have a use for one.

If you have SpinRite or some other method of maintenance/recertification, run them all through scans to make sure they are healthy and keep them healthy.

clueless1 wrote:

Use them in period correct retro builds. 8.4GB and less are perfect for DOS systems, as they match the maximum formatted partition space. If you have room, just store them until you have a use for one.

If you have SpinRite or some other method of maintenance/recertification, run them all through scans to make sure they are healthy and keep them healthy.

Thanks. I am not sure if I can build this many retro rigs to host them all 😁

If you can't find a use for them and you don't want to sell them, then your only options are to trash them completely or keep them forever. Not sure what you were expecting..?

If you don't like eBay, then you can try your local online classifieds (Craigslist or Kijiji or whatever it is you have).

I suppose in some cases there might be a market for the PCBs, as in http://www.hddzone.com/ , but probably not for such old drives.

Those super-powerful tiny magnets can be handy, but you can order those very cheaply from Asia and it would probably not be worth your time trying to salvage them.

For a good time, try flipping through Explorations in Data Destruction.

Precious metal salvage , or take the platters out and make christmas ornaments.

Or use them to back up family photos. You might have more than 40gb of files to backup , but having pictures on them that you WANT to save is better than having useless data on them.

lazibayer wrote:

clueless1 wrote:

Use them in period correct retro builds. 8.4GB and less are perfect for DOS systems, as they match the maximum formatted partition space. If you have room, just store them until you have a use for one.

If you have SpinRite or some other method of maintenance/recertification, run them all through scans to make sure they are healthy and keep them healthy.

Thanks. I am not sure if I can build this many retro rigs to host them all 😁

HDDs are the least reliable component in a PC. Hold onto them as backups/spares. When one starts to go out, grab another and image your dying one to it. You should be set for life. 😉

Jorpho wrote:

If you can't find a use for them and you don't want to sell them, then your only options are to trash them completely or keep th […]
Show full quote

If you can't find a use for them and you don't want to sell them, then your only options are to trash them completely or keep them forever. Not sure what you were expecting..?

If you don't like eBay, then you can try your local online classifieds (Craigslist or Kijiji or whatever it is you have).

I suppose in some cases there might be a market for the PCBs, as in http://www.hddzone.com/ , but probably not for such old drives.

Those super-powerful tiny magnets can be handy, but you can order those very cheaply from Asia and it would probably not be worth your time trying to salvage them.

For a good time, try flipping through Explorations in Data Destruction.

I don't want to sell them on eBay but I am willing to give them out for "free" for vogons, if anyone is OK with paying for shipping....
I also have a small pile of PCBs from dead and newer drives. I sold some of them because they are much easier to handle than the whole drive. I still have a bunch, mostly from 80~160GB WD BBs, 7200.7s, etc. Again I am willing to free them out, if anyone is interested...
Demolition sounds fun. Maybe they are good targets for ammunition testing.

clueless1 wrote:

lazibayer wrote:

clueless1 wrote:

Use them in period correct retro builds. 8.4GB and less are perfect for DOS systems, as they match the maximum formatted partition space. If you have room, just store them until you have a use for one.

If you have SpinRite or some other method of maintenance/recertification, run them all through scans to make sure they are healthy and keep them healthy.

Thanks. I am not sure if I can build this many retro rigs to host them all 😁

HDDs are the least reliable component in a PC. Hold onto them as backups/spares. When one starts to go out, grab another and image your dying one to it. You should be set for life. 😉

The fact is... I use small flash cards for my retro machines. Sadly I am not a fan of seeking sound from spindle disks... 😜

lazibayer wrote:

I am willing to give them out for "free" for vogons, if anyone is OK with paying for shipping.

Might I suggest clarifying your continent of residence?

Jorpho wrote:

lazibayer wrote:

I am willing to give them out for "free" for vogons, if anyone is OK with paying for shipping.

Might I suggest clarifying your continent of residence?

Lower 48 states.

Gonna keep you in mind if I ever need IDE drives.

oeuvre wrote:

Gonna keep you in mind if I ever need IDE drives.

No problem!
Might be helpful to upload some larger pics...

PM sent

I've got an empty HDD shipper and when my tax refund comes i'll have postage.

Thanks a lot for the larger pics!

You could send your noisiest drives to Jade Falcon 😜

If you are in the states and have some working 160GB+ PATA drives get rid you could PM me. Ideally I am looking for large 2.5" SATA laptop drives though.

Would work well for my fat PS2+FMCB and some legal backups. (got 100+games and lasers suck)

You could GASP scrap them in place of trashing them. Hdds are made almost entirely out of aluminum. You may have well over 20bl there. Might have 10-20$ there depending on were your live. That's better then tossing them out. Would mostly be aluminum alloy or cast

Tetrium wrote:

You could send your noisiest drives to Jade Falcon 😜

I got that covered 😀 I got a Bigfoot and a fireball and a old 1.2gb maxtor drive

I would take all your SCSI drives but the shipping will probably be a pain.