Can you use magnets to remove viruses?

I was wondering.... Suppose you have really nasty virus in the boot sector and the OS won't load up. You can't get your hands on a HDD wiping thing. Can you run a magnet over the HDD to wipe it (then reinstall OS) or would that make the HDD unusable?

Thanks for answering my really silly hypothetical questions. :-D

 

:facepalm:
You already did didn't you? lol.
I'd imagine your HDD would be toast.
You're never ever supposed to put a magnet next to a computer or a TV.

 

No, I didn't do it. Just wondering.

 

have you tried to microwave it :-D

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=188848&highlight=microwave

 

That would be a bit more than a light show.

 

That only works if you are wearing a dilithium crystal amulet.

 

While hopping on one foot under a full moon?:confused

 

What, are you trying to get someone killed, or worse? Have you ever seen what happens to someone who jumps up and down on one foot while wearing a dilithium crystal amulet and rubbing a magnet on a HDD that has been in a microwave? Well, I have, and it ain't pretty, my friend.

 

What? You didn't see the question mark? Wasn't sure of the correct procedure.

 

Magnets and electrical components don't mix. At all.

Tell you what, why not try using one to clean your screen? They work wonders...

 

Don't fool me with that one. I've seen videos. Anyways, I have an LCD, which shouldn't be affected by fridge magnets

 

Put it to the test then, I dare you

 

Modern hard drives CANNOT be wiped by magnets. They are engineered not to be wiped by magnets any more.