Reusing Dell hard drive?

[BPrzeSharpshot]

I am currently in the process of building a computer. As I was building today, I was thinking about having more storage. My old Dell has a 1tb hard drive and I was wondering if I could completely wipe out the os and use it with a new hard drive in my new build. Thanks!

 

[USAFRet]

The physical drive? Sure, as long as it isn't hosed.

 

[Grimwinder]

What type of connection does the drive take, SATA or IDE (PATA)? As long as the motherboard has the same connection type, you can use it.

 

[BPrzeSharpshot]

Thanks everyone for the quick reply! But any chance do you guys know how to do this?

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks everyone for the quick reply! But any chance do you guys know how to do this?

How to do what?

 

[Grimwinder]

Just plug it into your new system and reformat it is the easiest way.

Edit: To be more detailed- install it into the new build after you complete it, including installing your OS. Then boot up the machine and enter the BIOS and make certain that your new OS drive is the first in the Boot order, if not, make it so, save and exit BIOS to complete booting. Go into your Windows Explorer/File Manager and right click on the old Dell drive and select Format to reformat it, which will wipe it completely clean.