Wiping a HDD clean. How to?

[UAHGorgix]

Hello!

I currently have a 1TB HDD that I am using as my primary, containing my OS and all. I have another HDD which has the same OS on it but was cloned to the current upon installation. I need to use the other HDD for storing files and was wondering how I could clear the older HDD.

I believe that plugging it in will just cause my computer to go crazy since both HDD's have the same OS.

Any thoughts?

 

[iFargle]

As long as you pick the right hard drive on boot then you'll be fine. Otherwise, you can use a GParted LiveCD and plug in only the drive you want to erase (to avoid confusion and wiping the wrong drive ) and format it with that.

 

[UAHGorgix]

So Win7 will give me the options to boot from the drive I want?

 

[iFargle]

Yep, on each boot until one drive is wiped.

 

[UAHGorgix]

Cool! Thanks! But how exactly do I wipe one? Windows Disk Management?

 

[iFargle]

Any time

 

[UAHGorgix]

How do I actually wipe it clean though?

 

[iFargle]

In Windows, you'd use a tool in the "Computer Management" program. Storage -> Disk Management in the left pane.
It'll scan for drives, and once it finishes, all you have to do is right click the drive and select "Format..." from the menu.

Or, you can right click the drive in My Computer and select "Format..." from the list.