Wednesday, 26 Jun 2024
Technology

Wipe or Erase a Hard Drive from BIOS

Introduction:
Have you ever wondered how to wipe or erase a hard drive from BIOS? If you’re planning to reinstall or clean install Windows, or if your computer is unbootable, you’ll need to perform this process from the BIOS. In this article, we will explore two effective methods to help you wipe your hard drive from the BIOS and ensure your data security. So, let’s get started!

Method 1: Wipe Hard Drive from BIOS via an Installation Disc

Step 1: Plug an installation disc into your computer.

Step 2: Enter the BIOS setup window.

  • Power off your computer by clicking on the Windows icon > Power icon > Shut.
  • Power on the device.
  • While the PC is starting up, keep pressing F2 or other available BIOS keys to enter the BIOS of your computer.

Step 3: Navigate to the Boot tab by using the arrow keys on the keyboard. Then press the “+” key to move CD-ROM Drive to the first boot option. After that, press F10 and Enter keys to save the changes.

change the boot order

Step 4: You will be prompted with the installation screen. Click Next to proceed.

click Next

Step 5: Tap Repair your computer.

click Repair your computer

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Step 6: Click Troubleshoot > Command Prompt.

click Command Prompt

Step 7: In the elevated window, type the following commands and hit Enter after each:

  • diskpart
  • list disk
  • select disk 0 (You can replace 0 with the number representing the disk you want to wipe.)
  • clean

type and execute commands

Method 2: Wipe or Erase a Hard Drive from BIOS via Third-Party Software

When your computer is unbootable, you can create a bootable CD/DVD/USB using MiniTool Partition Wizard and then boot your PC with the bootable media. Follow these steps to wipe or erase a hard drive from BIOS:

Step 1: Download and install MiniTool Partition Wizard on another properly running computer.

Step 2: Launch the software to enter its main interface. Then click Boot Media at the upper right corner of the program.

click Bootable Media

Step 3: In the prompted window, click Options to continue.

click Options

Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to download the ISO file to a USB drive. This will make your USB drive bootable.

Step 5: Once the process finishes, click Finish to exit the operation. Then plug the bootable USB drive into your faulty computer.

Step 6: Boot the computer repeatedly to enter the BIOS page. Choose the plugged USB as the boot option and save the changes.

Step 7: Navigate to the page and click Launch MiniTool Partition Wizard.

click Launch MiniTool Partition Wizard

Step 8: After entering the home menu of the program, right-click on the target disk and click Wipe Disk.

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click Wipe Disk

Step 9: The prompted warning window will explain the operation. If you still want to proceed, click Yes to confirm.

read the warning message

Step 10: Choose a wiping method and click OK to save the changes.

Step 11: Finally, click Apply to execute the pending operation.

apply the operation

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I wipe a system drive while it’s in use?
    No, to wipe a system drive, you need to do it from the BIOS as it can’t be done while the drive is in use.

  • Do I need to back up my data before wiping a hard drive from BIOS?
    It’s highly recommended to back up any important data before proceeding with the wiping process to avoid data loss.

  • Are there any alternative methods to wipe a hard drive?
    While the two methods mentioned in this article are effective, there may be other third-party software available that offer similar functionality.

Conclusion

Wiping or erasing a hard drive from the BIOS is essential in certain situations, such as reinstalling Windows or dealing with an unbootable computer. In this article, we explored two effective methods to help you accomplish this task. Whether you choose to use an installation disc or third-party software like MiniTool Partition Wizard, make sure to follow the steps carefully to ensure the safety and security of your data. So, go ahead and wipe your hard drive confidently using these methods. For more information and helpful content, visit Eireview.