Erase an External HD?

Not long ago I intended to make a back up image loaded to an external HD. It was one with around 500 gb total storage capacity. It had at least one image on it.

When I attempted to make an image and save it to that HD the response was that there was not room on the HD. Then I attempted to delete the previous image, but the recycle bin did not have the capacity to take it.

So, how does one remove an old image from an external HD so there will be room for a new image. For instance if I purchased a new computer I would not want the old image, but how can I erase it from the HD?
Thanks.
Jerry

 

Not sure if win7 is the same but with Xp I would just plug in the external HD go to "My Computer" select the correct drive by right clicking on it, a drop down menu would appear with one of the selections being "Format", selecting and confirming that option was all I needed to erase an external HD. Just removing one image all I ever had to do was right on the image file and click delete.

 

Don't use Win 7, so not exactly sure how it works. However, I'm a little surprised that it doesn't give you the option (warning) to just delete it without going to the Recycle Bin.

Or, another possibility might be to reconfigure your Recycle Bin so that particular external drive is exempt and totally bypasses the Recycle Bin.

 

Jerry,

Hold down Shift on the keyboard and then run through the delete process. Any help?

 

Thanks, All,
Right now I don't need to delete it, but want to keep the suggestions for when I may need to free up some space.

Many thanks, I do appreciate the help.

Regards,
Jerry

 

The same procedure suggested for Win 7 is for any version of Windows and the best way wipe the drive it to format it. Are you certain you read the "delete" message correctly? Usually what is stated is the file is too large to place in the Recycle Bin with the question do you still want to delete it?