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Unable to format external SSD drive

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Atomicpurple

PCHF Member
Aug 19, 2021
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#1
I am attempting to update my older laptop to a SSD.

I have a new HP 120GB SSD that I’d previously formatted with Ubuntu linux (to test a server for functionality) that I intend to use for the update.

I purchased a SATA to USB cable that I connected to the detached SSD and then to my Windows 10 laptop. The SSD does not appear in Windows file explorer; or MiniTool Partition Wizard or DiskGenius software, both of which I downloaded hoping to reformat the drive for Windows and do a disk migration.

Summarized, how do I reformat a USB-connected linux-formatted SSD for use with Windows using a Windows 10 computer?

Thanks!
 
#2
Does the BIOS see the new drive?

Boot to windows 10 with the drive attached.
Access the DOS command prompt.
type
diskpart
Click to expand...
then type
list disk
Click to expand...
and which ever disk # is the drive that you are having the issue with then
type
select disk # x
Click to expand...
X to replaces the disk #
once the disk is selected
type
clean
Click to expand...
once that is done
type
exit
Click to expand...
reboot to see and see if it will allow you to format the drive now.
 
#3
or Plan B.
remove the laptop's current drive, install the SSD as is and start the reload Windows process from a bootable USB with the latest image on it.
usually Windows will set the drive up automatically with is best settings, providing of course BIOS can see the drive.
 
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