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How do I erase a laptop hard drive with no power?
I have a laptop that I have had a lot of issues with and now it will not power on at all. I have tried a new battery, and a new power cord. The only thing left to do is send it in to HP to be fixed, it is still under warranty.
So now I have a dilemma, I have sensitive information that I don't want HP techs to see. Normally I wipe the drive and reinstall if I have to send it in for something, I have a nightly backup so that isn't an issue. Now I need to know what to do without any power, I am sure there is an electrical short somewhere. When I plug it in the connection light on the laptop where you plug it in flickers once but doesn't actually charge so there is some sort of spark.
Also I can't just take it out and smash it because then my warranty would not cover it. I need to manually damage/erase it somehow without visible signs of damage. Any suggestions?
7 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Take the hard drive out and connect it to another system. Then you can wipe the drive from there.
I'm not sure what the deal is with opening your laptop and your warranty, but if you put everything back together well enough everything should look okay and be okay.
If your information is that sensitive, you may be willing to risk it. I cannot see any other solution if you can't get power to the laptop.
- 1 decade ago
If u still got warranty then sent to HP. If u dun want the sensitive information to be seen by HP tech than void the warranty. 2 way only.
Personally, I would choose to void the warranty since the information is so sensitive. Peel the warranty seal. Take out the hard disk n install into another system. Format the laptop hard disk. Viola!!! Thats it....
Mr. Fatboy Slim
Source(s): School Of HardKnocks - 1 decade ago
Your only options are: Get another laptop or a converter to use it in a desktop and insert the Hard drive into it and format it. Or just take it out and send in the computer. If its a power problem the shouldn't need a hard drive to fix it.
- 1 decade ago
I highly doubt that the techs will start going through your files. They'll just fix the problem and send it back to you. Its not their job to go through your files and they'd probably get fired if they did.
How 'sensitive' are you talking about? Like as in, secret crush stuff or like national security stuff?
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- 1 decade ago
are there any local stores computer stores in your area? see if you can find a place where they may be able to help you out. they may be able to either fix your computer or help you get all the files off the hard drive. also, if you have another computer (and i know this works on macs, not sure about other comps) you may be able to try using a firewire cable to transfer data. once again, see if you can take it to a local store, or see if there are any, idk, computer geeks in the area who could give you suggestions.
- 1 decade ago
Remove your HDD and place it in HDD enclosure and take full back up of your DATA with different PC.
