how do i format internal sata drive

riamu · 30 Jul 2009 at 23:14

i have a SATA internal drive which i am giving to someone but i don't want them to view my personal files etc. I no longer have a PC since I split my system down a while ago. How can I get this internal drive formatted before passing it on to the new owner, given that my own PC is now non-existant and I can no longer connect it to my motherboard etc and delete the info on it. Thanks.

95thrifles · 30 Jul 2009 at 23:16

A) ask someone else to do it for you
B) place a large strong magnet next to it for an hour or so

Kennysevenfold · 30 Jul 2009 at 23:26

95thrifles said:
A) ask someone else to do it for you
B) place a large strong magnet next to it for an hour or so

This, Is there no other pc you have or can get access to to pop it in to format it.?

marlos · 30 Jul 2009 at 23:29

JonJ678 · 30 Jul 2009 at 23:57

Don't suppose you have an external caddy for it?

As an aside, formatting doesn't destroy any data. It makes it marginally harder to read. Overwriting the drive with zeros works rather well if you have linux available

oggmonster · 31 Jul 2009 at 14:06

Yeah you'll need a SATA to USB adaptor and write the drive with zeros, or run a secure HDD eraser program. Or if you can plug it into someone elses computer, you can do it from there

riamu · 1 Aug 2009 at 08:40

thanks

D.Roberts · 1 Aug 2009 at 10:26

you need to do a low level format i think that destroys all data.