old hard drive

Hi,

I just upgrading my mid 2009 macbook pro 13in to a 750gb hard drive. I now have the old 250gb 5400rpm model in an external enclosure that lets me use it as a external drive via USB. I was wondering if I should keep that drive and not erase the contents, or erase them and then use it as a external drive? If I can wipe it, how do I do that?

Thanks!

I would use that external drive as a backup drive....if you don't already have one.

- Nick

I already have one, but i would like to use my old mbp drive to store my videos. Would I just delete all the files on it or reformat it? And if reformatting, what should it be formatted to?

crazypotatos said:

I already have one, but i would like to use my old mbp drive to store my videos. Would I just delete all the files on it or reformat it? And if reformatting, what should it be formatted to?

Click to expand...

That sounds like an ok plan. You could just delete all your old files or reformat. To reformat use "Mac OS Extended-Journaled".

Reformatting is like starting fresh...so my vote is to reformat.

HTH,

- Nick

Ok thanks very much!

crazypotatos said:

Ok thanks very much!

Click to expand...

You're welcome...good luck.

- Nick

One more question, when I am in disk utility, do i use the erase feature?

crazypotatos said:

One more question, when I am in disk utility, do i use the erase feature?

Click to expand...

It's optional...you don't really have to. If you do a reformat...that sort of incorporates the erase feature. If you were selling the hard drive...and wanted to be sure none of your files were recoverable...then you would want to do a "secure erase".

So you can use erase without reformatting (if you use erase...not "erase free space")...and this will get rid of everything. Or you can reformat...and that will get rid of everything as well.

If you don't need anything on the HD...I would just reformat it...seems easier (one click/one step).

- Nick