My laptop died on a recent trip. It was an older one (the new one always stays at home), and had crashed twice before, so I wasn't too surprised, nor too upset, since everything was backup up. Tech support guys at Best Buy worked on it for two hours but were unable to even get it to boot up, so RIP.
I could take it or send it to be recycled, but since I can't boot it up, I can't reformat the hard drive first. What should I do with the hard drive? Take it out and then just keep it forever? What's a solution that's good for the environment, protects against identity theft, and doesn't result in another totally useless old electronic item filling up my office closet? Is there a simple home remedy way to wipe out the hard disk? Guess I can't put it in the microwave ...

Maybe I should carry it around in soft luggage for a few more trips and let it get dropped onto baggage conveyor belts ... oh, I forgot, the fourth criterion is a solution that doesn't involve carrying a totally useless old electronic item around on another trip ...

cubbie