The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Sony Vaio Wipe and Erase

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by nokia42_2010, Aug 23, 2008.

  1. nokia42_2010

    nokia42_2010 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi

    I hope you can help.

    I have damaged my screen and cannot see anything on it and want to get it repaired. However, before I do this I want to wipe and erase the data on the hard disk.

    If anyone has the same model, please can you provide a step to step guide on how to do this using a keyword, as I am doing it blindly.

    I look forward to your help :)

    Thanks,
     
    nokia42_2010, Aug 23, 2008
    #1
  2. xrules

    xrules Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    3
    Messages:
    109
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    well another simple option is to buy a cheap hard disk .. and swap the hard disk.. (you will have your data when your notebook comes back .. as you can swipe your hard disks again.. ) or take your hard disk out, connect it to another pc, erase data and place it back..
     
    xrules, Aug 23, 2008
    #2
  3. Trovador

    Trovador Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    48
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Connect your computer to an external monitor or projector using one of your video outs.
     
    Trovador, Aug 23, 2008
    #3
  4. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    8,389
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    If you have another computer you can try formatting your drive using an XP installation disc.
    You can "walk through" the details on another pc.
    No guarantee but I believe !!! that you files should not be damaged as long as you don't delete a partition or format anything on your instal.
     
    DetlevCM, Aug 23, 2008
    #4
  5. bogart

    bogart Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    183
    Messages:
    553
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    You can also run DBAN on another computer, but don't run it completely, only to remember the keypress sequence that will allow you to wipe a drive, then repeat the keypress sequence on your notebook.
     
    bogart, Aug 23, 2008
    #5
  6. nokia42_2010

    nokia42_2010 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Thanks, I am running it now.

    How long is it likely to take on a 80gb hard disk?
     
    nokia42_2010, Aug 24, 2008
    #6
  7. bogart

    bogart Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    183
    Messages:
    553
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    It depends on the type of erase you chose. I'd keep it running until the HDD activity led stops blinking.
     
    bogart, Aug 24, 2008
    #7
  8. nokia42_2010

    nokia42_2010 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I typed "autonuke". Once I press enter does it start erasing without confirmation?
     
    nokia42_2010, Aug 25, 2008
    #8
  9. bogart

    bogart Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    183
    Messages:
    553
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I'm not sure, it's been a while since I used that utility. Is the hard drive active after you type that? If not, probably there's another key you need to press. Try pressing F10. To get definitive answers, you should ask here.
     
    bogart, Aug 25, 2008
    #9