# Erasing a Drive

You can erase data on non-SEDs (normal HDDs) by using the Drive Erase option. For non-SEDs, the erase operation consists of a series of write operations to a drive that overwrites every user-accessible sector of the drive with specified patterns. It can be repeated in multiple passes using different data patterns for enhanced security. The erase operation is performed as a background task.

Perform the following steps to erase a drive.

1. Navigate to the Controller dashboard, and click the Drives tab.
   All of the associated drives appear.
2. Expand Unconfigured Drives and select an unconfigured good drive.
3. Select Actions > More Actions > Drive Erase.
   The Physical Drive Erase dialog appears.
   The dialog shows the following modes:
   - Simple
   - Normal
   - Thorough
4. Select a mode, and click Erase Physical Drive.
   A warning message appears asking for your confirmation.
5. Click Yes, Erase Drive.
   After the drive erase operation has started, the Stop Erase option is enabled in the Actions menu. You can monitor the progress of the erase operation. See Background Operations Support.

Parent topic: Managing Physical Drives