Hard Drive re-use??

I have a laptop with a 30G hard drive which replaced a 30G hard drive that got corrupted somehow and whenever I tried to boot up I would get a message that the operating system wouldn't open, or something like that.

Here is my question: Is there a way that I can format the hard drive and then use it for an external drive to transfer all data to as a form of a back up? I have a program called Drive LInk that can be used to transfer data from an old drive to a new drive. Seems to me that the old drive would be perfect for this if I could get it re-formatted, or something.

Any ideas?

 

I use this one: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-145-329&depa=0

and it's a great, inexpensive enclosure that uses the usb bus power to power up the drive. I put a fujitsu 40gb 5400 rpm drive in it and it works like a dream

 

Sounds like a good idea. I may get it if I find there is no way to format and use the 30G hard drive I now have.