How to properly destroy a Internal Hard Drive

[Guest]

Anyone got any tips on how to destroy an internal hard drive to effectively remove and data I have on it?

 

[Guest]

Ok and the family member will be using a disc install. Any difference between the two?

None whatsoever.
It is simply a hard drive. It does not care what OS, or what data, or where it comes from.

If it functions and is of a relevant size...use it.
Don't fill up the landfill with stuff that still has value.

The family member is my dad so I don't have to worry about them using my accounts or my data. Lol

 

[USAFRet]

The family member is my dad so I don't have to worry about them using my accounts or my data. Lol

During the OS install, you will delete any and all existing partitions on that drive.
Your dad will not be able to access any data that used to be on there.

 

[Guest]

The family member is my dad so I don't have to worry about them using my accounts or my data. Lol

During the OS install, you will delete any and all existing partitions on that drive.
Your dad will not be able to access any data that used to be on there.

Most of it was his stuff anyway because he didn't have a pc in the first place anyway. All I got was games which means no interest there.
Ok thank you for your help and info!

 

[Guest]

The family member is my dad so I don't have to worry about them using my accounts or my data. Lol

During the OS install, you will delete any and all existing partitions on that drive.
Your dad will not be able to access any data that used to be on there.

I know this was a long while ago but should I help my old man through the process and make sure he does everything right or let him go?

 

[Karadjgne]

Do a military format. It takes forever to finish, especially if you write over it more than the 3 times it defaults to. All it does is write 1's over every single possible address, so anyone who could possibly get that drive will only see a quadrillion 1's in a row. All a simple format does is remove the linking addresses to the data, the data is still actually there, most just don't have the equipment necessary to bypass the addressing and read the data directly. CIA, Homeland Security etc does, but doubtful your family can find anyone else who can. A military format differs as it overwrites the data before removing the addressing, making the drive totally bunk.

 

[Guest]

Do a military format. It takes forever to finish, especially if you write over it more than the 3 times it defaults to. All it does is write 1's over every single possible address, so anyone who could possibly get that drive will only see a quadrillion 1's in a row. All a simple format does is remove the linking addresses to the data, the data is still actually there, most just don't have the equipment necessary to bypass the addressing and read the data directly. CIA, Homeland Security etc does, but doubtful your family can find anyone else who can. A military format differs as it overwrites the data before removing the addressing, making the drive totally bunk.

It's okay since its only going to my dad and most of the data I have on there is just my games and stuff so very unlikely he will even want to steal it. I trust him very much with it most of my sensitive data was his since he didn't have a computer in the first place so everything is a-okay now.

 

[Guest]

The family member is my dad so I don't have to worry about them using my accounts or my data. Lol

During the OS install, you will delete any and all existing partitions on that drive.
Your dad will not be able to access any data that used to be on there.

When I have them reinstall Windows 10 onto the other drive I request that before they install it I will have them remove my old OS drive and give it to me to save for my Father. Then when my father buys all the parts he needs he will also buy a new license when he reinstalls Windows 10 onto it. When you return to this forum I hope you can answer this before I send it up there.

 

[USAFRet]

The family member is my dad so I don't have to worry about them using my accounts or my data. Lol

During the OS install, you will delete any and all existing partitions on that drive.
Your dad will not be able to access any data that used to be on there.

When I have them reinstall Windows 10 onto the other drive I request that before they install it I will have them remove my old OS drive and give it to me to save for my Father. Then when my father buys all the parts he needs he will also buy a new license when he reinstalls Windows 10 onto it. When you return to this forum I hope you can answer this before I send it up there.

Why are you paying Microcenter to change the drives and do the OS install?
That's pretty basic stuff.

 

[Karadjgne]

To be honest, can't blame Op or Dad for that. If you look at Colif's BA list just for Win10 alone, it's not exactly a fool-proof OS. So by having Microcenter do it, if there's any reason it's bunk, they take the pc back and tell them to fix their own screw ups since they paid good money for a relatively simple procedure. It's just peace of mind insurance.

I find changing a tire a very simple procedure too, but I've got 2x princesses in the house who'd argue that, they'd much rather call AAA than run the risk of breaking a nail....

 

[USAFRet]

To be honest, can't blame Op or Dad for that. If you look at Colif's BA list just for Win10 alone, it's not exactly a fool-proof OS. So by having Microcenter do it, if there's any reason it's bunk, they take the pc back and tell them to fix their own screw ups since they paid good money for a relatively simple procedure. It's just peace of mind insurance.

I find changing a tire a very simple procedure too, but I've got 2x princesses in the house who'd argue that, they'd much rather call AAA than run the risk of breaking a nail....

Maybe.
But the rush rush from the monkeys at GeekSquad or MC or wherever...tends to get it just a little bit off.
Not something the owner might notice, until much later.

Like taking a 32GB SSD, which should simply be a cache drive for the large HDD, and splitting it off. Install the OS to that, and leave the 1TB HDD completely unallocated.

But, whatever.

 

[Karadjgne]

That's true too, you'll be leaving the pc at the mercy of whomever does the works opinions, not necessarily your own.

 

[Guest]

To be honest, can't blame Op or Dad for that. If you look at Colif's BA list just for Win10 alone, it's not exactly a fool-proof OS. So by having Microcenter do it, if there's any reason it's bunk, they take the pc back and tell them to fix their own screw ups since they paid good money for a relatively simple procedure. It's just peace of mind insurance.

I find changing a tire a very simple procedure too, but I've got 2x princesses in the house who'd argue that, they'd much rather call AAA than run the risk of breaking a nail....

Maybe.
But the rush rush from the monkeys at GeekSquad or MC or wherever...tends to get it just a little bit off.
Not something the owner might notice, until much later.

Like taking a 32GB SSD, which should simply be a cache drive for the large HDD, and splitting it off. Install the OS to that, and leave the 1TB HDD completely unallocated.

But, whatever.

Ok so the drive I plan on giving to my father is my OS drive. So when I do this I take out my OS drive and then keep my other plugged in. Then I slam in the USB and boot from it and do all of the installation from there on? If I somehow manage to screw it up can I always take it to microcenter just in case?

 

[USAFRet]

Ok so the drive I plan on giving to my father is my OS drive. So when I do this I take out my OS drive and then keep my other plugged in. Then I slam in the USB and boot from it and do all of the installation from there on? If I somehow manage to screw it up can I always take it to microcenter just in case?

Not quite.
You have this drive removed and in a drawer somewhere.
When the new system is ready to be built...
Then you connect that drive and only that drive.
Boot from your USB install media, and start the OS install process.
When it asks 'where', this is when you select Custom.
You'll be presented with a list of all existing partitions on that drive
Select each, and DELETE.
Leaving one large blank space.
Let Windows install to that, creating what it needs.

 

[Guest]

Ok so the drive I plan on giving to my father is my OS drive. So when I do this I take out my OS drive and then keep my other plugged in. Then I slam in the USB and boot from it and do all of the installation from there on? If I somehow manage to screw it up can I always take it to microcenter just in case?

Not quite.
You have this drive removed and in a drawer somewhere.
When the new system is ready to be built...
Then you connect that drive and only that drive.
Boot from your USB install media, and start the OS install process.
When it asks 'where', this is when you select Custom.
You'll be presented with a list of all existing partitions on that drive
Select each, and DELETE.
Leaving one large blank space.
Let Windows install to that, creating what it needs.

So I unplug it now and go with the boot process?

 

[USAFRet]

So I unplug it now and go with the boot process?

Is the system built and ready for an OS?
Do you have your install media ready?
The OS license key?
All the needed drivers? Primarily the LAN driver.

 

[Guest]

So I unplug it now and go with the boot process?

Is the system built and ready for an OS?
Do you have your install media ready?
The OS license key?
All the needed drivers? Primarily the LAN driver.

No I thought that when I install Windows 10 the LAN driver is installed regardless...?

 

[USAFRet]

No I thought that when I install Windows 10 the LAN driver is installed regardless...?

Probably, but not necessarily in ALL cases.
It is handy to have it available, just in case.

 

[Guest]

No I thought that when I install Windows 10 the LAN driver is installed regardless...?

Probably, but not necessarily in ALL cases.
It is handy to have it available, just in case.

You're scaring me half to death and now I'm heavily considering going to Microcenter

 

[USAFRet]

No I thought that when I install Windows 10 the LAN driver is installed regardless...?

Probably, but not necessarily in ALL cases.
It is handy to have it available, just in case.

You're scaring me half to death and now I'm heavily considering going to Microcenter

I'm just saying...it will probably find the relevant driver and install it during the OS.
But if it does not...then you being prepared for that small possibility is the fall back position.

But there is no "100% it always does it".

 

[Guest]

No I thought that when I install Windows 10 the LAN driver is installed regardless...?

Probably, but not necessarily in ALL cases.
It is handy to have it available, just in case.

You're scaring me half to death and now I'm heavily considering going to Microcenter

I'm just saying...it will probably find the relevant driver and install it during the OS.
But if it does not...then you being prepared for that small possibility is the fall back position.

But there is no "100% it always does it".

I'll just take it up to microcenter and have them do it..

 

[Guest]

No I thought that when I install Windows 10 the LAN driver is installed regardless...?

Probably, but not necessarily in ALL cases.
It is handy to have it available, just in case.

No I thought that when I install Windows 10 the LAN driver is installed regardless...?

Probably, but not necessarily in ALL cases.
It is handy to have it available, just in case.

You're scaring me half to death and now I'm heavily considering going to Microcenter

I'm just saying...it will probably find the relevant driver and install it during the OS.
But if it does not...then you being prepared for that small possibility is the fall back position.

But there is no "100% it always does it".

Can I recap my story on more time. So the drive I am going to give to my Father is my OS drive. His computer will have a different processor AMD, I have intel. So could I just leave the hard drive plugged in then delete all the partions on everything when I am selecting. Then take out the drive I was giving to him. Reboot and then install the OS on my other drive. Does this sound right?

 

[USAFRet]

Can I recap my story on more time. So the drive I am going to give to my Father is my OS drive. His computer will have a different processor AMD, I have intel. So could I just leave the hard drive plugged in then delete all the partions on everything when I am selecting. Then take out the drive I was giving to him. Reboot and then install the OS on my other drive. Does this sound right?

You do not have to delete all the partitions 'now'.
You can do that during the fresh install in dad's system.
Steps outlined above.

 

[USAFRet]

All this drive back and forthing is confusing.

Currently...the drive that will become the OS drive in Dad's PC....where is it right now?

 

[Guest]

All this drive back and forthing is confusing.

Currently...the drive that will become the OS drive in Dad's PC....where is it right now?

Its my PC helping me talk to you about this.

 

[USAFRet]

All this drive back and forthing is confusing.

Currently...the drive that will become the OS drive in Dad's PC....where is it right now?

Its my PC helping me talk to you about this.

Assuming it is not being used....power off and remove it.
Now.