HDD Virus Format?

[Pavster]

Hey,
I'm thinking of doing a SSD and HDD setup. But my HDD has a virus. If I connect the HDD and SSD together and then format the HDD while in windows will the virus go onto my SSD. Should I format the HDD while the SSD (has windows) isn't plugged in, if so how?
Thanks

 

[getochkn]

Format them both from the Windows installer.

 

[capt_taco]

Once the virus is loaded into the computer's memory, it can infect basically anything that's connected to the machine.

Before doing anything with the SSD, I'd download a program like Boot & Nuke, burn it to a bootable CD (it is intended to be used that way), then use it to write zeroes to the entire hard drive. Then do a clean reinstall of Windows in whatever configuration you're planning. Maybe a bit of overkill, but that's a way to be absolutely sure there's no virus remaining.

 

[Pavster]

Once the virus is loaded into the computer's memory, it can infect basically anything that's connected to the machine.

Before doing anything with the SSD, I'd download a program like Boot & Nuke, burn it to a bootable CD (it is intended to be used that way), then use it to write zeroes to the entire hard drive. Then do a clean reinstall of Windows in whatever configuration you're planning. Maybe a bit of overkill, but that's a way to be absolutely sure there's no virus remaining.

Hey,
If I use DBAN should I use the quick erase to remove the virus or the more powerful option.
Thanks

 

[getochkn]

Simple windows format will do.

 

[capt_taco]

Depends on how certain you want to be. An erase and then formatting in Windows installer ought to take care of it, but personally I'd do the zeroes to leave no doubt whatsoever. That's just my own preference, though.