How to format a locked HDD?

[ftdsn244]

Hello, I bought a few laptop HDD's in all different condition. I have about 5 of them that are locked. I am not talking about a Windows lock, I mean as soon as you turn on the laptop it;s all black with the little blue password box and when I go to BIOS it says Password set. I obviously do not have original laptop the passwords were set on but just the hdd's themselves.

** I am not asking to break the password or hack anything. I can care less about what info is on there, I want a way to just completely wipe/format the drive without the password to do a clean install.

Thanks for any help.

 

[ram1009]

Any responses to your question would be against forum rules. There's no way to prove you're working on your own equipment.

 

[ftdsn244]

I'm asking how to completely erase/wipe the hdd without needing to view or log onto it but ok whatever you say.

 

[ram1009]

I'm asking how to completely erase/wipe the hdd without needing to view or log onto it but ok whatever you say.

Bypassing a password would allow you access to the contents of the HDD whether or not that's what you want. You'd be amazed at the reasons for wanting to bypass a password posted here daily.

 

[Saga Lout]

The passwords were set to protect the data so as you're going to put those data beyond use, I see no harm in telling you Linux is probably less precious about those passwords than Windows.

It really is amazing how people part with their old hard drives full of data - although you'rs may be empty anyway - a hack saw can kill a laptop drive - 3.5" need an angle grinder.

 

[popatim]

The drive is self encrypting. It would/should have a master password sticker on the drive which you can use ONLY if the password has not been changed. If the sticker is missing its probably been changed and now linked to the laptop; it now can only be reset in the laptop that set the password, which would permanently scramble any data in there.

In the future you now know these drives are for the trash heap or the recycler so don't waste your $ on them.