Old HDD Storage

RedScope

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I've built a PC and I'm only missing a couple of components to finish it, and I was wondering about using an old PC's HDD.
For my OS (and some games) I'm gonna use a Samsung 850 EVO 250 GB SSD but I took an HDD out of an OEM PC from Packard Bell, it's from Seagate, it runs at 7200 RPM and has 500 GB of storage. The old OEM system hasn't been working in a while and I was wondering if it's safe to use the HDD or if any virus may damage the system since I don't know what is in the HDD. Thanks!
 
Solution


And that is why many of those utube guys should not be listened to.
Yes, you can delete partitions and whatnot during the install.

But don't do that with this drive.
You should install the OS with only the target drive connected. In your case, the SSD.
Connect any other drives later.

So, to prevent any possibility of stuff leaking into your new OS...

RedScope

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Can I delete them before installing the OS? Or in the BIOS?
PS: It is a Sata Drive
 

RedScope

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The thing I'm wondering about is that I saw Paul's video on the first 5 things to do with a new PC and in the part where he installs the OS he can delete partitions and format drives and I thought what I would have to do is exactly that, since I was planing on installing the OS onto the SSD but already have the other drive cleaned without any risk of damaging the system.
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator


And that is why many of those utube guys should not be listened to.
Yes, you can delete partitions and whatnot during the install.

But don't do that with this drive.
You should install the OS with only the target drive connected. In your case, the SSD.
Connect any other drives later.

So, to prevent any possibility of stuff leaking into your new OS from the old drive, DBAN.
 
Solution

RedScope

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Awesome! Thanks for the help!
 

4745454b

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If you think there might be a virus on it, I would put it in first. Leave the SSD out. Boot up the previous mentioned Dban and clean/wipe the HDD. Then shut it down and pull the drive and put the SSD in. Load up windows, shut down again and put the HDD back in. Now go into windows and have windows partition, format, etc. If there is a chance of a virus, I always wipe it before the OS gets installed. Safer.
 

RedScope

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So what you're saying is get DBAN on a USB flash drive and boot from it with the HDD?
And than after that install windows on the SSD and boot from it?
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator


Basically, yes.
But can be done either way, before or after the OS install on the SSD.
Just be sure the old bad HDD is the only drive connected when you do this DBAN thing.

And again, install the OS on the SSD with only the SSD connected.
 

RedScope

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Ok, thanks a lot for the help!