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When microwaving a CD, the induction stops when the track is cut. There are usually big chunks of surface (~2cm²) unaffected. You can't read it with your drive but it's reasonable to think that some data can be retrieved from it, with enough work and money.

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A belt sander with rough grit should take care of that without damage to device or surroundings. Sand from the top -- that's where the data is, or used to be. For paranoid satisfaction, sand it all the way through.

It seems like the simplest way would be to burn it.

I'd like to suggest to everyone trying this that: 1. holding such a thin object against a belt sander may be difficult. 2. if you lose your grip, it might fly across the room at dangerous speed.

In the same spirit, I'd like to suggest that anyone trying this use some sort of jig to hold the disc against the belt rather then try to hold it in place against lateral force with your bare fingers.

Source: long-ago experience. Ouch.

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