📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses repurposing an old 8-year-old IDE hard drive found in the poster’s attic, with the intent to give it to their brother-in-law whose PC has recently failed. The main question is whether they can format and install a new Windows copy on the drive via USB connection. Respondent suggests that for best results, the HDD should be installed directly into the brother-in-law's PC rather than using USB, to avoid potential issues. The overall tone is practical, emphasizing proper installation methods rather than remote formatting.

MGalea

New Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2014
Messages
1
Thread Author #1
Hi guys and girls
so here's the thing.
Ive found my old desktop in the loft about 8 years old and took the HDD out of it. I bought a IDE to usb cable and can see the files that were on the old HDD so doesn't seem like theres much wrong with it apart from being clogged with a few years of files/use etc
about a week ago My brother in-law's HDD on his PC packed up which is only slightly newer than the one I found in the loft. so I'm thinking of giving him my old HDD just so he's got something to get him by until he finds a permanent solution
my question is? Is there a way I can format and reinstall a fresh copy of windows on my old HDD even though its connected through my usb port?

Cheers in advance for any info
 

Solution
Assuming your bro's pc has an ide slot you'd be best off installing the hdd to your bro's pc and installing in situ, otherwise your likely to have more problems than what it's worth.

patcooke

Microsoft MVP
Microsoft MVP
Joined
May 16, 2010
Messages
5,688
Assuming your bro's pc has an ide slot you'd be best off installing the hdd to your bro's pc and installing in situ, otherwise your likely to have more problems than what it's worth.
 

Solution