Erasing Everything On Your Hard Disk; Erasing All Of Your Data On Your Hard Disk With Wipe And Erase Data - Sony VGN-AR51E Troubleshooting And Recovery Manual

Erasing everything on your hard disk

This section describes how to erase your data on your hard disk. It is strongly
recommended to erase all the data on your hard disk before you dispose of
your computer or give it to others.
Erasing all of your data on your hard disk with
Wipe and Erase Data
The Wipe and Erase Data software enables you to wipe out your data on
your hard disk. The erased data cannot be restored.
You need recovery discs to use the Wipe and Erase Data software. Create the recovery
discs if you have not yet created. For instructions on how to create the recovery discs, see
"To create recovery discs" on page 17.
The erasing process automatically stops and your computer restarts if the process has not
completed within 71 hours. The process will resume after the computer restarts.
Be sure to connect and use the AC adapter to power your computer when using the
Wipe and Erase Data software.
1 Make backup copies of your valuable files.
Make a backup copy of your data using the Back Up Files wizard if you can start Windows.
Make a backup copy of your data with the Rescue Data software if you cannot start
Windows. You can launch the Rescue Data software with recovery discs.
2 Insert a recovery disc to the drive while the computer is on, turn off your
computer, and turn on the computer again.
The System Recovery Options window appears.
3 Select a keyboard layout and click Next.
4 Select an operating system and click Next.
5 Select VAIO Recovery Center.
6 Select Wipe and Erase Data and click Start.
7 Follow the on-screen instructions.
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