Windows 10: How can I format a Hard Drive previously used as a boot drive?

Recently, I used System Image to restore my PC to a new and much faster M.2 SSD. It gave me quite the trouble, but that's beside the point. I want to use the old HDD as mass storage now, but both Diskpart and Disk Management will not allow me to edit the old drive. It is 'Disabled' due to the disk Letter conflict, and I cannot edit any values or attributes, or delete or repartition its volumes. What is the best yet safest and quickest way for me to wipe the drive completely, assign a new letter, and use it as if it were a brand-new HDD? I also want to ask a similar question about a second dr

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Hard Drive formatting

Leave it as default, as it will take up the whole hard drive, then pick quick format. There is nothing wrong with quick format, it will use the default allocation size.

 

Maxtor Hard Drive Beep

Maxtor drive beeps

Have a similiar situation using a DiamondMax Plus 8, 20GB Mfg Date 4/15/03. Drive used as a second system drive. Drive is recognized in boot menu but not in drive list. Drive is always connected. Computer started locking up for several seconds at a time. Chkdsk on drives and couldn't find that drive. Removed drive from bay to make sure connections were ok and heard the beeping. Shutdown and restart and never got to windows screen. Restarted several times then saw drive in boot menu and Windows loaded but Maxtor not in drive menu. When recognized in boot menu, computer will start but beeps and is not found.

Tried kicking it real hard but no improvement. Any suggestions?

 

Hard Drive formatting

I beg to differ!!!! DO NOT DO A QUICK FORMAT !!! Quick Formatting is fine for a floppy drive but not for an OS hard drive! My opinion and we can be ok with different opinions right ?