how do i wipe my hard drive completely

66nova · Nov 7, 2015

so i would like to completely wipe my hard drive completely including windows because i would like to put the windows on the new ssd i just got someone please tell me how to do this

USAFRet · Nov 7, 2015

So...you're going to do a clean install of the OS on the new SSD?

66nova · Nov 7, 2015

USAFRet :

thats what i would like to do is wipe my hdd completely and put it on the ssd but how

USAFRet · Nov 7, 2015

66nova :

So, 2 options.

1. Migrate from the old drive to the new SSD. This requires a few things.
The new SSD must be larger than the total used space on your current C partition.

2. Clean install on the new SSD.
This requires that you have the valid install media and license key for your OS>
As well as the install media, serial numbers, license keys, blah, blah for all your other applications.

66nova · Nov 7, 2015

USAFRet :

66nova :

So, 2 options.

1. Migrate from the old drive to the new SSD. This requires a few things.
The new SSD must be larger than the total used space on your current C partition.

2. Clean install on the new SSD.
This requires that you have the valid install media and license key for your OS>
As well as the install media, serial numbers, license keys, blah, blah for all your other applications.

lets go with option 2

66nova · Nov 7, 2015

USAFRet :

66nova :

So, 2 options.

1. Migrate from the old drive to the new SSD. This requires a few things.
The new SSD must be larger than the total used space on your current C partition.

2. Clean install on the new SSD.
This requires that you have the valid install media and license key for your OS>
As well as the install media, serial numbers, license keys, blah, blah for all your other applications.

can i format the old drive and just put the disk in and install it to the new drive or that wont work?

USAFRet · Nov 7, 2015

66nova :

If you have the install media (DVD or USB) and the license key...
Have only the SSD connected.
Install the OS
Once everything is up and running, then reconnect the old HDD
Wipe ALL the partitions on it.
Use it as needed.

66nova · Nov 7, 2015

USAFRet :

ok so once i install everything and have it all booted and hook up the old one how do i wipe the old one

USAFRet · Nov 7, 2015

66nova :

Disk Management

Select each partition on that drive, Delete
Leaving one large space
Create new partition, using the whole space
Format
Give it a drive letter
Done

66nova · Nov 7, 2015

USAFRet :

66nova :

Disk Management

Select each partition on that drive, Delete
Leaving one large space
Create new partition, using the whole space
Format
Give it a drive letter
Done

thank you sooooooo much

66nova · Nov 7, 2015

USAFRet :

66nova :

Disk Management

Select each partition on that drive, Delete
Leaving one large space
Create new partition, using the whole space
Format
Give it a drive letter
Done

thank you sooooooo much

66nova · Nov 7, 2015

USAFRet :

66nova :

Disk Management

Select each partition on that drive, Delete
Leaving one large space
Create new partition, using the whole space
Format
Give it a drive letter
Done

ok so everything is installed is there and other way to erase everything like though the bios

USAFRet · Nov 7, 2015

66nova :

No, not in the BIOS.
Disk Management in Windows.

66nova · Nov 7, 2015

USAFRet :

ok just a question if i have 2 hard drives with windows on them hooked up at the same time wont it mess it up

USAFRet · Nov 7, 2015

66nova :

No it won't. Unless the system tries to boot from that secondary drive, it's just files sitting there.
But just wipe all those partitions and be done with it.

66nova · Nov 7, 2015

USAFRet :

66nova :

No it won't. Unless the system tries to boot from that secondary drive, it's just files sitting there.
But just wipe all those partitions and be done with it.

So i have both drives in i had it boot up on the ssd but it doesnt see the hdd at all

USAFRet · Nov 7, 2015

but it doesnt see the hdd at all

"It" what?
Does it appear in Disk Management?

66nova · Nov 7, 2015

USAFRet :

no it doesnt

USAFRet · Nov 7, 2015

66nova :

Does it appear in the BIOS?
If not, something is not connected right, or the drive is actually dead.

66nova · Nov 7, 2015

USAFRet :

ok so somehow i magically got it to work im gonna do this now http://knowledge.seagate.com/articles/en_US/FAQ/005929en?language=en_US im read more and it says this was the best way to do it any opinion on this way

USAFRet · Nov 7, 2015

66nova :

Sure, that would work.

66nova · Nov 8, 2015

USAFRet :

ok so now i went into the disk management and it wants me to choose if the hdd is a MBR or GPT which do i choose??

USAFRet · Nov 8, 2015

66nova :

USAFRet :

ok so now i went into the disk management and it wants me to choose if the hdd is a MBR or GPT which do i choose??

What size drive is it? If over 2TB, GPT. If under 2TB, either.

how do i wipe my hard drive completely

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