Write Zeros to Drive - GWSCAN 5.04 from Gateway Drivers CD 21.7 or Later

Note: Back up all data before proceeding.

  1. Place the Gateway Drivers CD 21.7 or later in the CD/DVD drive. If a window opens, close it.

  2. Restart the computer.

  3. During restart, from the Select an option menu, select 2. Boot from the CD-ROM, and then press the ENTER key.
    View Picture

  4. From the next Select an option menu, select 1. English, 2. French, or 3. Spanish, and then press ENTER.
    View Picture

  5. On the Gateway Utilities Main Menu screen, press the X key to select Exit to a Command Prompt.
    View Picture

  6. At the command prompt, type: Gwscan.exe. Press ENTER.

  7. From the GWSCAN 5.04 - Data Lifeguard Diagnostics main menu, use the DOWN ARROW key to select Write Zeros to Drive, and then press ENTER.
    View Picture

  8. Writing zeros to the drive completely erases all data on the hard drive. After reading the warnings, press the F key for a full erase, press the Q key for a quick erase, or press the ESC key to return to the main menu.
    View Picture

  9. The next screen displays a warning that proceeding with this option will destroy data. Press the C key to continue or press any other key to return to the main menu.
    View Picture

  10. If you pressed C, zeros are written to the hard drive. All data is erased.

  11. When complete, press ESC to return to the main menu.

    Note: After writing zeroes, the hard drive is blank.

    • If this is your primary hard drive, you can now reload the operating system on it.
    • If this is a secondary hard drive, you must partition and format the drive for it to be accessible. Partitioning and formatting can be completed in Disk Management within Windows® XP or Windows Vista™; or you can use the Fdisk and Format commands within DOS.