Q: I have an 8 year old eMac G3. It will not start up. I need to erase it before putting it in recycling. Apple refuses to open the case and warns me that I will be shocked if I even try. They say no way to erase hard drive. They say use a hammer. Any ideas?

No disrespect at all...but here is where i would take out all the anger of dissapointments apple has delivered with their products. Of course more good than bad but i would drop it crack it smash it...pretty much do everything you wouldnt normally do to a valuable object or device

Hi, no eMacs had G3s, only G4s. Is it maybe an iMac G3?

If you don't know the model, find the Serial# & use it on one of these sites, but don't post the Serial# here...

http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html

http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php

How to find the serial number of your Apple hardware product...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1349

http://www.ifixit.com/Device/eMac

Any ideas?

This is not a new idea as it has been done many times. Supposing this is an eMac, you can disassemble it and remove the hard drive if you wish. It all depends on whether you feel capable to do this. If your computer won't start and the hard drive is a concern, there is no other path but for you or someone else to do this. If some guy in an Apple store has freaked you out, then get someone who is capable and confident with electrical equipment  to dismantle it for you.