[BongWizard]

i know this might seem like gravedigging, but i just want to clarify this whole issue.

Data on magnetic HDDs is stored in small segments with a positive or negative (or North or South of you wish) charge where the opposite charges act in the same way as binary code (1s and 0s). The order of these charges is read by the head, which is then converted to a digital signal at a semiconductor junction.

A magnet has the potential to disrupt this order, and thus destroy the data. However, with modern HDDs, there is alot of magnetic dampening material to reduce the magnetic flux that can be delivered to the platters. Even if the platters were exposed, however, the data would not be destroyed simply by having the platters within the magnetic field. To truly destroy the data, the magnetic field must be oscillating such that an eddy current is induced in the platter, thus reordering the magnetised segments. For an eddy current to be induced in the platter, the magnetic flux must be sufficiently high to counteract the charge of the HDD's platters. This overall charge depends on the size and amount of data held on the HDD, which determines the charge density. If the charge density of the HDD is, indeed, less than the magnetic flux caused by the oscillation of the magnetic field, the binary charges on the platters will begin to be reodered, and the data destroyed.

So, in short, yes, it is possible for the data on a HDD to be destroyed by a magnet, but it is very unlikely with the technologies employed in modern HDDs.