Problem with clearing data on drives

[BoomLiam]

I have anywhere between 40 and 60 hard drives which I took from old servers which all need the data wiped from them.

 

I don't plan to do any mass formats at once and realise it could take some time, but I currently have a spare computer which has space for up to 3 drives at a time (+1 for the OS) and I thought I would just be able to plug the SATA drives into the HDD bay and clear the data in the OS, but for some reason I cannot load into the OS and Windows 8 brings up it's sad face emoticon, reboots and repeats the same error.

 

Am I not doing it correctly? If not, what would be a better way to clear the data of these drives without having to go out and buy something like an enclosure -  or is that my only option?

[Bad2049]

This is only a suggestion, but why not boot up into your Windows Install disc and use that to format all the drives?

 

Edit: While you're at it.. disconnect the main drive and connect another drive to get more done at once and without causing an accidental wipe of the original drive.

[godlikegohan]

this is what i use.

it has a power switch .so you can plug in the drive and then power it on and format, then  turn it off.. and format another on

hot swappable

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153071

[IdeaStormer]

Think you need to read this: http://gizmodo.com/5489933/leave-no-trace-how-to-completely-erase-your-hard-drives-ssds-and-thumb-drives

[BoomLiam]

Think you need to read this: http://gizmodo.com/5489933/leave-no-trace-how-to-completely-erase-your-hard-drives-ssds-and-thumb-drives

Ok thanks! I created a DBAN disk, I think doing it through a utility like that will be a lot easier than through Windows. Also the data on the drives is not critical and will not make any sense to anyone who accesses it from what I have been told, so I will wipe them but I don't think I will have to run it multiple times or 'Zero-fill' it, but thanks for the link :)