Need to Wipe a Harddrive

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StarlightDash

Commendable
Aug 24, 2016
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Ok so I just recently starting trying to fix up this desktop computer to use a new social computer for myself, but I had been having trouble trying to get the OS onto the harddrive. Eventually I got it to work, but I soon discovered there was a window 7 OS on it already. I asked my friend who I obtained the harddrive from and he said his dad did something with the computer the harddrive came from and then it didnt work at all. (Note the harddrive has been put into a different computer entirely not the same one) So now my question is how do I wipe all traces of data off this harddrive without rendering the harddrive unuseable. (Also as a side note I cannot access bios or anything of that such.)
 
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Boogieman_WD

Boogieman_WD

Judicious
Jul 31, 2014
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Hey there, StarlightDash.

It's not going to be necessary for you to access the BIOS, but why can't you access it?

If you want to wipe the whole drive and make a fresh installation of Windows, you could do that via the Windows installation media (e.g. USB or a DVD). Here's how to do it: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html.
Another option would be to just connect the drive to a different computer (either externally or internally) and use Disk Management to reformat it.

None of those methods will affect the drive's health in any way if it's currently in good condition.

Hope that helps. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Boogieman_WD
 
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StarlightDash

Commendable
Aug 24, 2016
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Well actually I have an OS already for the harddrive, but I am thinking the entire motherboard is bad now, because I tested like 5 harddrives on the same computer and none of them would work.
 
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Boogieman_WD

Boogieman_WD

Judicious
Jul 31, 2014
6,050
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Well, having this in mind and the fact that you've mentioned that you can't access your BIOS (if it's due to an error or a fault of some sort) it really sounds like there might be an issue with the mobo unless it turns out to be a faulty connection (e.g. SATA port or cables). If this is the case you should contact the vendor you got it from or the manufacturer to see if you can RMA it.
 
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StarlightDash

Commendable
Aug 24, 2016
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Oh its way past that. This a computer I sorta just threw together and was about with. I am new to the world of technology and computers. Still taking college classes on it all too. I really appreciate the help though. The whole problem I now am faced with is. None of my systems I have currently can detect any of the 5 harddrives I plug into them. I tried two different computers.

 
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hang-the-9

hang-the-9

Titan
Mar 25, 2010
60,387
1,081
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It's pretty unlikely that you have 5 dead hard drives unless you have a bad SATA port or cable that is killing them in one of the systems. Have someone that knows more about computers check on things, you may just be looking at things wrong.
 
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StarlightDash

Commendable
Aug 24, 2016
26
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1,530


I'll have to yea.
 
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