Hi. I'm new here, and still relatively new with computer hardware.
I just recently came across a spare Hard Drive that my friend didn't want any more. It still works but it hasn't been formatted so it still has an OS and a bunch of files etc. I've been looking to get a portable storage device as something to keep files on when I reformat my computer (instead of going through the tedious process of burning dozens of GBs worth of files onto discs). Since I'm a cheap bastard, though, I was thinking there might be some way to convert my new spare HD into a portable storage device.
So to be more concise, how should I go about wiping all the crap off of the spare HD (if possible without going through the rigamarole of installing it into my PC) and, once I get the crap off, is there any way to turn it into a portable storage device?
Thanks in advance :)
Oh, thought I shuold mention the specs of the HD in case its important-
The SpinPoint V60 series embraces a micro-processor which has a Dual DSP (Digital Signal Processor) function and improves data processing capacity drastically as compared to current products, through parallel processing of HDD data and Servo signal.
Formatted Capacity = 60GB
Dual DSP (Digital Signal Processor)
Ultra DMA-100 Compatible
5,400 rpm Spindle Speed
8.9 ms Average Seek Time
S.M.A.R.T. Compliant
InpacGuard™
NoiseGuard™
SilentSeek™
Thats from the samsung website. The HD has WinXP Home on it too, if thats important.
I just recently came across a spare Hard Drive that my friend didn't want any more. It still works but it hasn't been formatted so it still has an OS and a bunch of files etc. I've been looking to get a portable storage device as something to keep files on when I reformat my computer (instead of going through the tedious process of burning dozens of GBs worth of files onto discs). Since I'm a cheap bastard, though, I was thinking there might be some way to convert my new spare HD into a portable storage device.
So to be more concise, how should I go about wiping all the crap off of the spare HD (if possible without going through the rigamarole of installing it into my PC) and, once I get the crap off, is there any way to turn it into a portable storage device?
Thanks in advance :)
Oh, thought I shuold mention the specs of the HD in case its important-
The SpinPoint V60 series embraces a micro-processor which has a Dual DSP (Digital Signal Processor) function and improves data processing capacity drastically as compared to current products, through parallel processing of HDD data and Servo signal.
Formatted Capacity = 60GB
Dual DSP (Digital Signal Processor)
Ultra DMA-100 Compatible
5,400 rpm Spindle Speed
8.9 ms Average Seek Time
S.M.A.R.T. Compliant
InpacGuard™
NoiseGuard™
SilentSeek™
Thats from the samsung website. The HD has WinXP Home on it too, if thats important.