Reusing an old macbook pro harddrive as a Windows Hard Drive

[Roland00Address]

So I used to have a 2008 Macbook Pro (2.4 ghz Core 2 Duo, 8600m GT with titanium keys). I long ago upgraded the 160gb Fujitsu hard drive to a 500gb 7200rpm hitachi. I no longer own this 2008 macbook pro.

I am now trying to reuse the old 160gb Fujitsu hard drive in a windows computer (making a htpc for a friend with an e-350). When I use the windows 7 install disk, and I have the fujitsu plugged into the motherboard Windows can't see the 160gb.

When I plugged the fujitsu drive into another computer via usb harddrive dock, windows sees the drive but can't access the drive. Even though it sees the drive, it simply won't let me format it (saying there is no disk in drive) even though it obviously sees it.

I merely want to format the drive completely and install windows on it. How is the best way to do this?

 

[General Kenobi]

Are you sure it's still functional? Because that could indicate that it's almost dead. Are the data and power cables for the HDD snugly connected when you have it connected to the motherboard?

If yes, you could always try to wipe it first without Windows being involved, just create a DBAN boot disk and read the documentation on how to proceed.

If that doesn't work, just boot Ubuntu (or your preferred Linux distribution) via Live CD and try to format the drive that way. Then you could just boot from your Windows installation media and see if the pre-formatted drive is now working.

 

[Roland00Address]

Sigh I guess the drive is dead, it wasn't dead when I pulled it out of the macbook pro 2 years ago. I downloaded the ultimate boot cd (a compilation of various linux programs that are cd bootable) none of the programs would recognize the hard drive was in there. They all would spin up the hard drive making noise, but none could see the real drive.

So I just booted into the uefi bios and it doesn't even see anything plug into the sata port 1 (where the hard drive is located.)

Sigh

 

[razel]

Ultimate Boot CD does include Fujitsu's HDD diagnosis utility. You may also want to try Toshiba's HDD utility since they bought Fujitsu's HDD division. You mentioned that the utilities would spin up the drive. Does it go into power sleep mode too quickly? Regardless when you run these HDD utilites the HDD must be connected natively via SATA not USB.

 

[iluvdeal]

I thought you said the drive was recognized but not readable when you plugged into a USB dock in Windows? If that's the case, it weird you can't see it in the BIOS.

 

[corkyg]

Probably needs to undergo a low level format to return it to cherry condition.

 

[taltamir]

Probably needs to undergo a low level format to return it to cherry condition.

self low level format has been impossible for 15 years now. It is performed by specialized equipment in the factory before the drive is assembled and cannot be redone by the user.

 

[corkyg]

Well, I can do it - this works!

http://hddguru.com/software/HDD-LLF-Low-Level-Format-Tool/

I also have it on a bootable floppy, IBM/s Drive Fitness Test.

 

[taltamir]

You aren't performing a LLF you are running a tool that claims to perform LLF... I can order online a DVD rewinder too.. that doesn't mean its real.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_formatting#Low-level_formatting_.28LLF.29_of_hard_disks
I didn't believe it at first too but I was shown how wrong I was about a year ago by other anandtech members.