Hard Disk Data Erase Utility
Appendix Troubleshooting Useful Information Getting Started
When disposing the computer or transferring the ownership, erase all hard disk data in order to avoid data leakage. Even if you erase the data or initialize the hard disk using normal Windows commands, the data can be read with some special software. Use the hard disk data erase utility to erase the data completely.
Note that transferring of the ownership without uninstalling the commercial software will be a violation of the software’s license agreement.
The hard disk data erase utility erases data using an overwriting method, but there is a possibility that due to malfunc- tions or other operational errors, data may not be completely erased. There are also specialized devices that may be able to read data that has been erased using this method. If you need to erase highly confidential data, we recom- mend that you contact a company that specializes in this process. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. will bear no responsibility for losses or damages suffered as a result of the use of this utility.
CAUTION
When the hard disk contains the Recover Pro backup data, the Recover Pro backup area is lost as well.
NOTE
Even if hard disk data erase is performed, the number of times of DVD’s region code setting will not be reset. This utility cannot erase data for specific partitions.
It will take 2 to 5 hours to erase the data. (Erasing time varies depending on the capacity of the hard disk.)
Preparation
| Prepare the Product Recovery | |||||||||
| Remove all peripherals. | |||||||||
| Connect the AC adaptor and do not remove it until hard disk data erase is complete. | |||||||||
1 | Perform the steps 1 to 9 of “Reinstalling Software” ( page 25) | |||||||||
| In step 2, you do not have to write down all of the contents of the Setup Utility. | |||||||||
| If [Enter Password] is displayed during the following procedures, input the Supervisor Password or the User | |||||||||
| Password. | |||||||||
2 | Press |
| to execute [2. [Erase HDD]]. | |||||||
2 | ||||||||||
| To cancel this operation, press 0. | |||||||||
3 | At the confirmation message, press |
| . |
|
| |||||
Y | ||||||||||
4 | When [<<< Start menu >>>] is displayed, press |
| . | |||||||
Enter | ||||||||||
| The approximate time required for erasing data will be displayed. | |||||||||
5 | Press |
| . |
|
| |||||
Space | ||||||||||
| At the confirmation message, press | Enter | . |
The hard disk erase process starts. When the operation is completed, the “Hard disk data has been deleted.” message will appear. If a problem has occurred during the operation, an error message will appear.
To cancel partway, press Ctrl + C. The data erasure will be up to that point.
6Remove the Product Recovery
24