Destroying a computer...

Blacksheep1979

microwaving as pointed out above wil do the business and if done right won't leave anything overly noticeable to the naked eye

opportunity_cost

Maybe you could tell your flatmate that you're a 'merciless killer'. That should keep him quiet

Jem8472

Easy way is just take your hard disk with you. its the only important bit.

I am sure I once read about magnets and hard disks that you would need a magnet so strong to wipe data through the HD case that it would prob start pulling the iron out of your blood. Now I have no idea if thats true, does not sound it to me. But having opened a few HDD's in my time they have very powerfuly magnets in them anyway.

superscaper

I think too many people are concentrating on the software/hard drive side of things when the OP was about "destroy all the hardware". Making backups and hiding them is easy and easy to reinstall but having to replace damaged hardware may be more of a hassle and certainly more costly.

MercilessKiller

superscaper wrote: »

I think too many people are concentrating on the software/hard drive side of things when the OP was about "destroy all the hardware". Making backups and hiding them is easy and easy to reinstall but having to replace damaged hardware may be more of a hassle and certainly more costly.

Spot on.

Though worried about my data, i'd rather lose 500gb of files rather than £1000 worth of hardware!

from what it seems its very difficult to damage all the components unless a natural power surge occurs (which even now may not do the trick thanks to plug sockets).

So it would appear the guy was just BS'ing me.

Next bit of advice i need.. do I just try to ignore him? I went in to get the phone from his room and on his screen was an msn convo where he said he was going to make my life living hell for 2 weeks...

though im moving out in 2 weeks i have about 10 exams to do in that time. Really nervous now... if it wasn't so illegal I'd be tempted to do what he said he'd do to me to his pc! (thats also why i was asking. just in case something happened).

What ya think? Playing it cool may just not work?

superscaper

MercilessKiller wrote: »

What ya think? Playing it cool may just not work?

It may be your only option. Whatever happens, any kind of retaliation on your part would be the worst thing you could do. You couldn't for example take him to small claims court for damage to your pc if you did exactly the same to his (well you could but he could easily counter sue in that case). Stay legal, it may be your only recourse if anything happens. It seems locking your room is the best option and all you can do at the moment.

Blacksheep1979

MercilessKiller wrote: »

Spot on.

Though worried about my data, i'd rather lose 500gb of files rather than £1000 worth of hardware!

from what it seems its very difficult to damage all the components unless a natural power surge occurs (which even now may not do the trick thanks to plug sockets).

So it would appear the guy was just BS'ing me.

the micorwaving that I was talking about wasn't regarding data it was regarding the hardware - it will knacker it.

everythingblogcast

There is one way to complete destory a computer, when I was in class yesterday one of the techs came in to fill the paper up (because they dont trust anyone anymore because people steal paper-sad I know) and my tutor asked him did they find out what was wrong with the computer the blew up and the tech said that someone switched the red switch at the power unit from 240v to 110v and my tutor was there at the time and the computer when bang and smoke came from it.

MercilessKiller

Not on newer PSU's

everythingblogcast

Well the computers in that room where new, so new PSU too

O you mean about the PSU having a red switch