Re-using an old IDE HDD

[J_D]

Hi

Might be building a computer soon, and there is a chance that to keep price's to a minimum, an old hard drive(s) could be used in instead of chucking them from an old computer.

So was wondering if anything was needed to be done to them before putting them in the new build, like wiping them clean(not literally) to get rid of the OS currently installed and all other data.

Chance’s are that I will end up using both IDE HDD's from the old computer. 1x60GB(Master) 1x40GB(Slave). I know they are small but that is not a problem.
Hope that makes sense

J_D

 

[Cromewell]

If there's nothing on the drives you need just format them and then they are clean. You can even format them when you are installing your OS if you don't want to do it before.

 

[J_D]

If there's nothing on the drives you need just format them and then they are clean. You can even format them when you are installing your OS if you don't want to do it before.

If i wish to format the slave drive before i install the OS how would i do this?

Am i right in thinking. My Computer¦right click drive¦format etc etc

J_D

 

[Cromewell]

Am i right in thinking. My Computer¦right click drive¦format etc etc

Yes. You can't format the windows drive that way though, you have to use a bootable disk of some sort to do it.

 

[J_D]

Yes. You can't format the windows drive that way though, you have to use a bootable disk of some sort to do it.

Or as you said just do it when i come round to installing the new OS.

Thanks for your help

J_D