Trying to Factory Reset a Toshiba P755-S216 but holding zero doesn't work on startup

Jabronista

Estimable
Jul 27, 2014
1
0
4,510
Hi everyone,

I received a Toshiba Satellite P755-S5215 laptop from a relative and I am trying to wipe the data by restoring to default so that it can be sold. Everywhere I looks says that holding the zero key while powering on should initiate beeping and an interface to restore using the hidden partition, yet mine flashes text in the lower lefthand corner incredibly fast (maybe 4 or 5 words, the last one being "RECOVERY") and then resumes at the "Starting Windows" screen. OS is apparently Windows 7 that was reinstalled at some point since purchasing.

Is my hidden partition corrupt or missing? Or is there something I'm overlooking? My impression is there's no other way to restore without purchasing a recovery disk if you don't have one. It's definitely not my 0 key (see!)!

Thanks.
 
Solution
Hi

On many of the Toshiba laptops with w 7 I see there is a c: & d: of equal sizes and on d: a hidden folder containing image or archive files used to make a set of recovery dvd's
In the Toshiba programs there will be a recovery disk builder program
It expects 2 standard DVD or 1 double density DVD

On more recent PC's with w8 it seems they want a 8GB USB memory stick

You can see all the partitions from disk management even if they are not visible in windows explorer / my computer

However if the previous re installation did not use a Toshiba recovery DVD set the windows recovery builder may not be there any more

Toshiba will sell recovery disk sets


Alternative procedure if this is not possible
...

mbarnes86

Distinguished
Sep 16, 2010
245
0
19,110
Hi

On many of the Toshiba laptops with w 7 I see there is a c: & d: of equal sizes and on d: a hidden folder containing image or archive files used to make a set of recovery dvd's
In the Toshiba programs there will be a recovery disk builder program
It expects 2 standard DVD or 1 double density DVD

On more recent PC's with w8 it seems they want a 8GB USB memory stick

You can see all the partitions from disk management even if they are not visible in windows explorer / my computer

However if the previous re installation did not use a Toshiba recovery DVD set the windows recovery builder may not be there any more

Toshiba will sell recovery disk sets


Alternative procedure if this is not possible
...............................
Run chkdsk on c: & d:
Un install all programs not part of Toshiba delivery
Especially ms office if you are transferring it but not if previous free trial which is not transferable

Create a new admin account and remove all other user accounts
(delete all user files)
Run disk clean up

Turn off hybernation to clear hibernation file reboot system
Turn on again
Empty recycle bin
Run ccleaner (mainly to clear registry traces )

Install eraser and use it to over write all free space
Then to clear tips of part used sectors

Should remove most evidence of previous use

Regards
Mike Barnes
 
Solution