Is it possible to clear a HDD without the PC?

[Barls]

So I had an all-in-one computer that crapped out on me because of the fan breaking. I managed to salvage the HDD, and want to sell it. However I don't want to sell it without clearing all the files and other things on it. Is there anyway to do this without the original PC it came in? Can I clear it on a different PC or a laptop? And if I clear it will it also delete the OS on it?

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Format it in one of these or in any computer

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=blacx&N=-1&isNodeId=1

 

[alexoiu]

"Can I clear it on a different PC or a laptop? And if I clear it will it also delete the OS on it? "
Yes to both.

 

[Alabalcho]

You better use some program like DBAN to permanently erase all the data off the hard drive. Just formatting (depending on how it is done) might leave salvagable data on the drive (check all these post about "I formatted my drive, can I get my data back")

 

[Barls]

"Can I clear it on a different PC or a laptop? And if I clear it will it also delete the OS on it? "
Yes to both.

Can you explain how plz? And how to do it without deleting the OS?

 

[JackNaylorPE]

The OS will be useless in any other computer.

Instructions....

1. Connect the drive per previous posy
2. Right click on My computer, click Manage
3. Click Disk Management
4. Right Click on the drive and select Format

A person skilled in drive forensics might be able to recover it. Google "Data destruction Software" if ya worried.

 

[alexoiu]

You'd connect it to a different PC (for laptop you need a SATA to USB adapter (something like http://cdn.pollin.de/article/xtrabig/X722291.JPG), open Windows explorer and delete all unneeded files, but the Windows ones. You can also use some programs like file shredders.
However, since you want selling the HDD, it's better formatting it completely. Windows might not work on a different PC, if different specifications.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

You can just connect it to the MoBo with any sata data / power cable and leave it lying on desk.

 

[Barls]

You better use some program like DBAN to permanently erase all the data off the hard drive. Just formatting (depending on how it is done) might leave salvagable data on the drive (check all these post about "I formatted my drive, can I get my data back")

You can just connect it to the MoBo with any sata data / power cable and leave it lying on desk.

So is it safe for me to just connect it to my PC while it's on? Or do I have to turn it off and just do the whole process with the bios and stuff?

 

[JackNaylorPE]

You can't use the board use thge HD with the OS on it to wipe the drive with the OS on it.

1. Open Disk Management as described above.
2. Right click on the drive and select properties
3. On the General Tab at the top, type a name of your choosing in the Window .... say "BarlsDrive"
4. Shut down and remove the HD and sata data cable outta the PC.
5. Using **another** computer, make sure the machine is off.
6. Plug the SATA Data cable into a SATA port on the Motherboard... the number of the port should be higher than the HD in the computer. Connect a power cable from the PSU to the HD
7. Open Disk Management as described above.
8. Look for the drive that is labeled "BarlsDrive" and follow the directions above

 

[Barls]

You can't use the board use thge HD with the OS on it to wipe the drive with the OS on it.

1. Open Disk Management as described above.
2. Right click on the drive and select properties
3. On the General Tab at the top, type a name of your choosing in the Window .... say "BarlsDrive"
4. Shut down and remove the HD and sata data cable outta the PC.
5. Using **another** computer, make sure the machine is off.
6. Plug the SATA Data cable into a SATA port on the Motherboard... the number of the port should be higher than the HD in the computer. Connect a power cable from the PSU to the HD
7. Open Disk Management as described above.
8. Look for the drive that is labeled "BarlsDrive" and follow the directions above

This is kind of confusing. So I need 2 computers to do this?

 

[Alabalcho]

No, you need one working computer, AND your hard drive. If that working computer is a desktop - power it off, connect the drive you want to format to it, and power it back up. It will appear as another drive in My Computer, so you just format it.

If your working computer is a laptop, you will need external USB-to-SATA enclosure where you temporary plug that hard drive.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

This is kind of confusing. So I need 2 computers to do this?

If you only have 1 computer with the HD you want to clean as the only drive in it, you have no other choice. You can **NOT** format a HD when the utility that does this is supposed to wipe the very drive with the utility on it.

You have the HD from Computer No. 1 .... take that HD to Computer 2 and format as described. Follow the steps above one at a time and it won't be confusing.