12.8.1 Uninitializing a Disk Drive

You can uninitialize any disk drive (or SSD) containing Smart Controller configuration metadata. Uninitializing a disk drive clears the meta-data and reserved space from the drive and removes any OS partitions; existing data on the drive is destroyed.

Note: Uninitialized drives change from their current state to the Raw state. Raw drives are compatible with any Host Bus Adapter (HBA), including Microchip RAID controllers operating in HBA mode, and can be exchanged with drives on the motherboard's SATA interface.

To uninitialize a disk drive:

  1. In the Enterprise View, select a controller; then, in Physical Devices tree, select the disk drive you want to uninitialize.
  2. On the ribbon, in the Physical Device group, click Initialize/Uninitialize/Enable Erase Drive.
    The Initialize/Uninitialize Physical Device window opens.
  3. Click the Uninitialize button, then click OK.
  4. When prompted, click OK to close the Initialize/Uninitialize Device window.