I want to erase the original HP HD

joeitalo · 02-24-2008, 05:07 AM

I was reinstalling Windows XP and all the stuff that comes with hp's restore disc's half way through I got a brain tumer and ejected the discs,not a problem, I got what I wanted (Vista on its own partion and I transfured it to my new HD...Now I have the original HP HDrve and it has three partitions on it ,the original restore partition,the new reinstall that I pulled the plug on, and vista ,this hd is unplugged and not powered up any more ,how can I clean it completely erase this drive including the factory install (restore partition) I would like to use this to store pics and music.

**Deleted090308** · 02-24-2008, 05:55 AM

Hi

You can format it with, for example, Parted Magic or Windows' Disk management.

If you want to do a low level format - use DBAN. DBAN will write zeros to all areas of the drive. That process takes time - about 1 hour for 20GB.

Before you use DBAN or Parted Magic - disconnect the other hard drives. It's easy to make a mistake and wipe the wrong drive.

joeitalo · 02-25-2008, 02:27 AM

I will try thank you

02-24-2008, 05:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
joeitalo Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Boston Mass Posts: 191 OS: Vista Home Premium My System	I want to erase the original HP HD I was reinstalling Windows XP and all the stuff that comes with hp's restore disc's half way through I got a brain tumer and ejected the discs,not a problem, I got what I wanted (Vista on its own partion and I transfured it to my new HD...Now I have the original HP HDrve and it has three partitions on it ,the original restore partition,the new reinstall that I pulled the plug on, and vista ,this hd is unplugged and not powered up any more ,how can I clean it completely erase this drive including the factory install (restore partition) I would like to use this to store pics and music. Last edited by joeitalo; 02-24-2008 at 05:13 AM.

02-24-2008, 05:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: I want to erase the original HP HD Hi You can format it with, for example, Parted Magic or Windows' Disk management. If you want to do a low level format - use DBAN. DBAN will write zeros to all areas of the drive. That process takes time - about 1 hour for 20GB. Before you use DBAN or Parted Magic - disconnect the other hard drives. It's easy to make a mistake and wipe the wrong drive. Last edited by Deleted090308; 02-24-2008 at 05:57 AM.

02-25-2008, 02:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
joeitalo Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Boston Mass Posts: 191 OS: Vista Home Premium My System	Re: I want to erase the original HP HD I will try thank you