So I removed the IDE hard drive from my broken laptop. I connected it to my desktop and was able to access it without issue. I wanted to completely wipe the drive so I could use it like it was new (completely clean). Now when I try to initialize it I keep getting an error. So have I just ruined the hard drive by wiping it?
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Hard Drive will not initialize PLEASE HELP Is it a lost cause?
- Thread starter dfamily
- Start date
Solution
Hi there dfamily,
That is really strange indeed.
Have you tried using different cables? In case you haven't, it will not hurt to try that out. You can even attach it to a different port.
In case the issue persists, you can test the drive and check its health status out: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/282651-32-best-diagnostic-testing-utility
Let me know how this goes,
D_Know_WD
That is really strange indeed.
Have you tried using different cables? In case you haven't, it will not hurt to try that out. You can even attach it to a different port.
In case the issue persists, you can test the drive and check its health status out: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/282651-32-best-diagnostic-testing-utility
Let me know how this goes,
D_Know_WD
D_Know_WD
Judicious
- Jul 30, 2014
- 6,633
- 3
- 35,960
Hi there dfamily,
That is really strange indeed.
Have you tried using different cables? In case you haven't, it will not hurt to try that out. You can even attach it to a different port.
In case the issue persists, you can test the drive and check its health status out: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/282651-32-best-diagnostic-testing-utility
Let me know how this goes,
D_Know_WD
That is really strange indeed.
Have you tried using different cables? In case you haven't, it will not hurt to try that out. You can even attach it to a different port.
In case the issue persists, you can test the drive and check its health status out: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/282651-32-best-diagnostic-testing-utility
Let me know how this goes,
D_Know_WD
MAYBE what is happening is the normal behavior of Windows. It protects itself from accidental damage by refusing to Format or Partition a hard drive that contains a Windows version installed, even if that HDD (like your case) is NOT the C: drive you are booting from. So, if you are trying to "wipe" the drive using Windows' tools like Delete, or using the Disk Management utility built into Windows to Format or Delete a Partition, it won't do the job for you.
My optimal choice for completely wiping off old data on a used drive AND triggering a self-diagnostic routine that "fixes" any weak areas of the old HDD is a Zero Fill operation. This simply writes zeros to EVERY Sector of the HDD leaving it just like a brand new empty HDD. THEN you can use Disk Management to Create a New Simple Volume on it.
To do a Zero Fill, you need a utility that can do the job. DBAN has one in its tool collection. Also, the HDD diagnostic tools collections available for free download from HDD maker's websites usually has this feature. The "trick" for the latter choice is that each maker customizes their package to work only on their HDD units. So, if your old laptop HDD was from Seagate, get their Seatools; if it is from WD, get their Data Lifeguard. In each case the "for Windows" version should be OK for you because you do have a working Windows on a working HDD to boot and run from on your desktop machine.
WARNING REMINDER: When you go to use one of these utilities to do the Zero Fill make absolutely SURE that you are working on your old laptop HDD, and nothing else! After all, its function is to destroy ALL the stuff on the unit it is filling.
My optimal choice for completely wiping off old data on a used drive AND triggering a self-diagnostic routine that "fixes" any weak areas of the old HDD is a Zero Fill operation. This simply writes zeros to EVERY Sector of the HDD leaving it just like a brand new empty HDD. THEN you can use Disk Management to Create a New Simple Volume on it.
To do a Zero Fill, you need a utility that can do the job. DBAN has one in its tool collection. Also, the HDD diagnostic tools collections available for free download from HDD maker's websites usually has this feature. The "trick" for the latter choice is that each maker customizes their package to work only on their HDD units. So, if your old laptop HDD was from Seagate, get their Seatools; if it is from WD, get their Data Lifeguard. In each case the "for Windows" version should be OK for you because you do have a working Windows on a working HDD to boot and run from on your desktop machine.
WARNING REMINDER: When you go to use one of these utilities to do the Zero Fill make absolutely SURE that you are working on your old laptop HDD, and nothing else! After all, its function is to destroy ALL the stuff on the unit it is filling.
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