[jst42day]

I've got a 1Tb WD hard drive that had an os on it.
I've wiped the entire drive clean using numerous passes with a good eraser.
I want to set up this hard drive as an external drive for my music, games, photos etc..
There is nothing left on the drive.
How do I set it up so that it can be used?
Thanks.
jst42day

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How did you wipe it clean? You could have just taken out the partition and then repartitioned it and that would have been faster.
From your description I am to believe that this is a internal drive originally and you want to turn it into a external correct?
If so then you would need to purchase a external hd caddy like the one's here. You will also have to decide if you want it to connect thru a esata port or a usb port. USB will be slower transfer so keep that in mind when deciding.

[rshaffer61]

How did you wipe it clean? You could have just taken out the partition and then repartitioned it and that would have been faster.
From your description I am to believe that this is a internal drive originally and you want to turn it into a external correct?
If so then you would need to purchase a external hd caddy like the one's here. You will also have to decide if you want it to connect thru a esata port or a usb port. USB will be slower transfer so keep that in mind when deciding.

[jst42day]

I can use either USB or eSata.
And I used Paragon to wipe the entire drive.
How do I set this drive up so that I can use it for my music and games etc..
Do I need to buy a software program?
Thanks.
jst42day

[rshaffer61]

Software for listening to music or playing games?
That will depend on what system it is hooked to since the host system will have to be the one with the audio and video that your external will utilize.

[jst42day]

XP Pro w/SP3 for now.
Maybe Windows 7 in the winter.
jst42day

[rshaffer61]

You will have no problem then. Windows 7 requirements will be able to handle what you are talking about. Does this system have a good video card for the games? Enough memory and sound card is enough?

[jst42day]

I'm installing an E8400 or 8500 cpu and either a GeForce 250 or 260 with 4g's of system RAM.
jst42day

[rshaffer61]

I think you are covered with that. It looks like you won't have any problems then once you get the enclosure for your hd. Please let me know if there is any other questions I can answer for you. Let us know how the enclosure works also.

[jst42day]

I still don't know what I have to do to set up the external drive.
Does it need to be formatted somehow?
Thanks.
jst42day

[rshaffer61]

If you have already Wiped the drive as you say in your initial topic statement then there should not be anything on the drive to view at this point. Have you installed the drive as a slave on your system and booted up with it to check and make sure it is cleaned?

[jst42day]

There is nothing on the drive. I've used Paragon before and it does it's job well.
Is there anything I need to do to this blank drive so that I can store data and music on it?
Thanks.
jst42day

[rshaffer61]

Nope if the system sees it then it should be ready to use. Once you buy the enclosure and hook it up to the system then My Computer should show a icon listed as Removable Drive (Drive Letter)
The drive is ready to be used then.

[jst42day]

Thanks for your help.
jst42day

[rshaffer61]

You are very welcome. I'm glad we could help and please let us know how everything works out for you.
If there is anything else we can do to help please feel free to ask. I appreciate that you allowed me to assist you with your issue and for your patience. Thank you for choosing GeeksToGo for help.
This issue now appears to be resolved.


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