External Hard Drive


  1. Posts : 4,751
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32-Bit - Build 7600 SP1
       #1

    External Hard Drive


    I just got my very first USB external hard drive. It shows fine in Computer, but I can't really tell if it is preformatted or not. Do I need to format the drive? Thanks
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #2

    I format every new drive.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4,751
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32-Bit - Build 7600 SP1
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Layback Bear said:
    I format every new drive.

    Thanks very much.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #4

    Your welcome.
    I do it for two reasons.
    One it can't hurt and two; you never know what is on a new hard drive.
      My Computer


  5. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #5

    If it shows in Computer it must have a partition with a drive letter. Thus it is formatted. Just double click on it and you see what's on it. Sometimes they have imaging programs and other good stuff. If you reformat it, you lose all that stuff.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4,751
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32-Bit - Build 7600 SP1
    Thread Starter
       #6

    whs said:
    If it shows in Computer it must have a partition with a drive letter. Thus it is formatted. Just double click on it and you see what's on it. Sometimes they have imaging programs and other good stuff. If you reformat it, you lose all that stuff.
    I didn't fool with it very much last night. It did have a drive letter and now that I think about it, I believe it said it came with some type of backup software, but I didn't see it in Computer. It didn't have any partitions. I wouldn't use the backup software since I use Macrium. I will look closer tonight and see if anything is on it. Thanks,
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #7

    Something else you might want to consider. I have read reports where some hardware comes infected straight from the factory.
    My self; I feel better when a new drive is cleaned and formated by me. A little paranoid maybe but a lot safer.
      My Computer


 

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