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Troubleshooting
Appendix
Hard Disk Data Erase Utility
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.
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. The entire hard disk data including the data of the recovery parti-
tion will be erased.
It will take 2 to 6 hours to erase the data. (Erasing time varies depending on the capacity of the hard disk.)
Preparation
Prepare the Product Recovery DVD-ROM Windows Vista (included).
Remove all peripherals.
Connect the AC adaptor and do not remove it until hard disk data erase is complete.
1
Turn on the computer, and press
F2
or
Del
while [Panasonic] boot screen is displayed.
The Setup Utility starts up.
If the password is requested, enter the Supervisor Password.
2
Write down all of the contents of the Setup Utility and press
F9
.
At the confirmation message, select [Yes] and press
Enter
.
3
Select the [Main] menu, then select [Optical Drive Power] and press
Enter
.
4
Select [On] and press
Enter
.
5
Press
F10
.
At the confirmation message, select [Yes] and press
Enter
.
The computer will restart.
6
Press
F2
or
Del
while [Panasonic] boot screen is displayed.
The Setup Utility starts up.
If the password is requested, enter the Supervisor Password.
7
Set the Product Recovery DVD-ROM Windows Vista into the CD/DVD drive.
8
Select the [Exit] menu, then select [MATSHITAXXXX] in [Boot Override].
9
Press
Enter
.
The computer restarts.
10
Click [Erase the whole data on the Hard Disk for security] and click [Next].
11
At the confirmation message, click [YES].
12
Click [Continue].
13
Click [Continue] again.
14
Click [YES].
Erasing the hard disk data starts.
15
After erasing is completed, remove the Product Recovery DVD-ROM Windows Vista and
click [OK].
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. Panasonic Corporation will bear no responsibility
for losses or damages suffered as a result of the use of this utility.
