[SOLVED] Can i use a HDD with files in it as a secondary (not boot) storage?

[chriswa2002]

Hey, title says it, I have a 1tb hdd from my old desktop pc, can i just put it in my new desktop? or do i have to clean it somehow?

 

[USAFRet]

Hey, title says it, I have a 1tb hdd from my old desktop pc, can i just put it in my new desktop? or do i have to clean it somehow?

Depends...

What, exactly, is on this drive?

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

if it has an existing OS installed or other system partitions on it format the drive first.
if it's just personal storage plug it in and go.

you can also get a rather cheap external drive dock or drive housing that uses USB connection for easier portability and less clutter\cables\heat inside the computer.

 

[chriswa2002]

oh alright, there are 2 hdd but i dont remember which one had the OS installed, how do i format them?

 

[USAFRet]

oh alright, there are 2 hdd but i dont remember which one had the OS installed, how do i format them?

Is there ANYTHING on these drives you might want to save?

 

[chriswa2002]

Is there ANYTHING on these drives you might want to save?

nope, not on the hdds

 

[USAFRet]

nope, not on the hdds

Commandline function diskpart, and the clean command.
https://www.seagate.com/support/kb/...-a-drive-through-the-command-prompt-005929en/
https://www.tomshardware.com/news/format-hard-drive-command-prompt,37632.html

 

[chriswa2002]

so do i just plug it in and wipe it, then im good to go?

 

[USAFRet]

so do i just plug it in and wipe it, then im good to go?

Follow the instructions in those links, but yes.

 

[chriswa2002]

alright, thanks