UPDATE: I received a "certificate of destruction" from the manufacturer. It gave me permission to take apart the hard drive and remove the "platters" (the disks that contain data). It was actually quite fun - and very interesting - to take it apart. One piece that I couldn't figure out why it wouldn't come out - was actually held on by a VERY strong magnet. (I thought that magnets couldn't get close to the disks without messing up the data, but obviously I was wrong!) After I took off the actual disks, I put the whole thing back together (and even used all the screws!) and shipped it off to the warranty return department yesterday. A meticulous job, but not hard, except for finding a tool for the very small torx screws. (managed to borrow one from a client who is a jeweler.) Now I get to take out all my pent-up frustrations by destroying the disks!!!! Anybody else want to join the sledge-hammer party?!?!?!