Formatting a HD over the network

[s_layton]

I have a laptop and the monitor burnt out on it, therefore, I am unable to see anything on the screen. I also am unable to hook it to an external monitor ( I don't know why). I have all of the files shared on the laptop, and was wondering if there was any way to format the HD on the laptop over the network. The laptop is running XP, and so is my desktop. Thanks in advance for the help.

[Iman74]

The reason you are probably unable to see anything on an external monitor is probably due to that you missed an important step:
On many kinds of laptops there is a key-combination that must be done to toggle displays. On Dells it's "FN" & "F8"
Look for something that looks like a display or a crt on one of the F# keys. Also, if that is in a different color check to see where the key is to access that color.

[s_layton]

yeah....on mine it is FN-F3 but for some reason that doesn't work either. I think the video drivers weren't setup properly. I was working on that when the monitor went out. I'm really looking now to just sell it on Ebay, and I have some confidential stuff that I need to get rid of.

[glc]

Pull the hard drive, hook it to a 2.5" to IDE adapter, slave it into your desktop and wipe the drive with a zero fill utility or Eraser.

[s_layton]

Do you think that their would be any easier way to do it, without pulling the HD?

[gunrunnerjohn]

If you can install something like tightVNC blind, you can run a remote console.

[s_layton]

How could I install that blind though??? I have two desktop computers and the laptop, and I already have RealVNC on the two desktops, because I only have one monitor and kb and mouse. By the way, what are the differences between the different VNC's. I've heard tightVNC, RealVNC, and another one that I can't remember right now.

[gunrunnerjohn]

UltraVNC, it's the latest and fastest, and it also includes file upload/download. I think it's currently the one that has the most development activity going on.

Personally, I'd use a $5 adapter and connect the HD to a desktop to get whatever data you need off the drive.

[s_layton]

Well, I've already gotten my stuff off the laptop, now I just need to format it. I was trying to keep from having to take it apart because I just want to be able to sell it as a whole set and not as pieces.

[Iman74]

Sounds like you can't sell something for very much if at all if you can't even get a display on it. So taking it apart I don't see the big deal. But after all these suggestions and from what you said, sounds like what GLC had to suggest is your best bet and the easiest.

[s_layton]

Yeah you're probably right. I guess I'll sell it piece by piece then. Thanks for the help guys.