can i clear my harddrive?

M0rri5 · 04-29-2008, 01:27 PM

hey i have this harddrive my friend gave me cause his computer broke and he said not to put it in yet cause he thinks if i plug it in it will break, so i was woundering if there is a way i can totally nuke the drive so i can put it into my computer.

dai · 04-29-2008, 02:16 PM

clear it with killdisk then format and install
http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm

**tecknomage** · 04-29-2008, 02:20 PM

Likely that is NOT what your friend is talking about.

A fault in the HD MAY have blown his system. That's why you should not use it. If your friend tries a new HD in his system and it works, then I suggest you trash the old HD.

Otherwise, cross your fingers if you use this HD. Wiping it has nothing to do with it. If you do try the old HD, install it as an additional HD so you can examine it first. If it works, just use Disk Manager to reformat it.

Make sure the HD jumper settings are correct for your hook-up:

Primary IDE
- 1st Device (usually HD C:) = set Master
- 2nd Device (HD or CDROM) = set Slave
Secondary IDE
- 1st Device (HD or CDROM, see note) = set Master
- 2nd Device (HD or CDROM) = set Slave

NOTE: The "1st Device" should always a HD when the "2nd Device" is a CDROM. The data through-put is governed by the Master device and HDs are always faster than CDROMs. Also, do not trust the CS (Cable Select) jumper setting on drives.

M0rri5 · 04-30-2008, 08:17 PM

question, if i use it as a secondary drive will it not mess up my computer? cause thats all i am worried about, cause i can go without it i just wanted some extra room on my computer . so if that way you said will not mess up my computer then i will try it

04-29-2008, 01:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
M0rri5 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 9 OS: xp	can i clear my harddrive? hey i have this harddrive my friend gave me cause his computer broke and he said not to put it in yet cause he thinks if i plug it in it will break, so i was woundering if there is a way i can totally nuke the drive so i can put it into my computer.

04-29-2008, 02:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,637 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: can i clear my harddrive? clear it with killdisk then format and install http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm __________________

04-29-2008, 02:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
tecknomage TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 928 OS: WinXP Pro SP3	Re: can i clear my harddrive? Likely that is NOT what your friend is talking about. A fault in the HD MAY have blown his system. That's why you should not use it. If your friend tries a new HD in his system and it works, then I suggest you trash the old HD. Otherwise, cross your fingers if you use this HD. Wiping it has nothing to do with it. If you do try the old HD, install it as an additional HD so you can examine it first. If it works, just use Disk Manager to reformat it. Make sure the HD jumper settings are correct for your hook-up: Primary IDE 1st Device (usually HD C:) = set Master 2nd Device (HD or CDROM) = set Slave Secondary IDE 1st Device (HD or CDROM, see note) = set Master 2nd Device (HD or CDROM) = set Slave NOTE: The "1st Device" should always a HD when the "2nd Device" is a CDROM. The data through-put is governed by the Master device and HDs are always faster than CDROMs. Also, do not trust the CS (Cable Select) jumper setting on drives. __________________ Tecknomage Computer System Specialist IT Technician

04-30-2008, 08:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
M0rri5 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 9 OS: xp	Re: can i clear my harddrive? question, if i use it as a secondary drive will it not mess up my computer? cause thats all i am worried about, cause i can go without it i just wanted some extra room on my computer . so if that way you said will not mess up my computer then i will try it