24Getting StartedUseful InformationTroubleshootingAppendixHard Disk Data Erase UtilityWhen 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 somespecial 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’slicense agreement.CAUTIONz When the hard disk contains the Recover Pro backup data, the Recover Pro backup area is lost as well.NOTEz Even if hard disk data erase is performed, the number of times of DVD’s region code setting will not be reset.z This utility cannot erase data for specific partitions.z It will take 2 to 5 hours to erase the data. (Erasing time varies depending on the capacity of the hard disk.)Preparationz Prepare the Product Recovery DVD-ROM for Windows ® XP (included).z Remove all peripherals.z 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” (Î page 25)z In step 2, you do not have to write down all of the contents of the Setup Utility.z If [Enter Password] is displayed during the following procedures, input the Supervisor Password or the UserPassword.2 Press 2 to execute [2. [Erase HDD]].z 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.z To cancel partway, press Ctrl + C. The data erasure will be up to that point.6 Remove the Product Recovery DVD-ROM, and then press any key to turn off the com-puter after the message “Hard disk data has been deleted” is displayed.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 beable 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 noresponsibility for losses or damages suffered as a result of the use of this utility.