Im trying to clean up laptop and want to erase everything then istall the software so it is like an unused fresh computer

Everything fails. Try and re seat the card and if it doesn't work try in a different port.

If you aren't sure what you're doing, bring it to a service tech or you may render that external hard drive completely useless:
Before you start cleaning make sure you back everything up onto another disk. If you are giving your computer away check with the person or organization to see if they plan on cleaning your hard drive for you. However, the best thing to do is to clean it yourself.
Download a hard drive cleaning program or go to a computer store that sells computer software and buy the program. This is the safest way to make sure the hard drive is all wiped clean. Running the software program over writes all the data on your drive, making the hard drive impossible for anyone to read. The software works by over writing the drive many times.
Make sure you give yourself plenty of time in wiping your hard drive clean because if you have a lot of stuff it will take longer to clean.
Once your running your program and the box comes up to erase your hard drive don't forget that this process is irreversible. You will now type in the word format drive letter and hit confirm that you want to erase everything on your computer.
Installing a new external hard drive if you are not getting rid of your computer, is another option you have. You still go about erasing the old drive because you're getting rid of your hard drive. Install the new one.

Try this one
http://www.softpedia.com/get/PORTABLE-SOFTWARE/System/Backup-and-Recovery/Portable-Recuva.shtml
or this one
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Secure-cleaning/Universal-Shredder.shtml

Clean Windows Registry :
Defragment your PC to increase computer speed:


Add more RAM to Speed up your computer
Clear Cache, history and temporary internet files
Turn off unnecessary programs from start up:
Have low intensity graphics
Uninstall unused software and programs Please remember to clean Windows registry using registry cleaner reg in out The above guidelines were really helpful to speed up my computer. These are safe and do impact computer performance in a positive way.

Thre is no OS recognised as being installed probibly due to the company erasing everything before releasing the laptop. You need to reinstall XP or the system of your choice making sure that the laptop is compatable.

I would start with XP and upgrade as necessary.

see if she left a password hint,or try to logon with username:administrator,and leave the password blank,you might get lucky,you can find password recovery software on internet,but that password wont be easy to get ,even with software will need some skills,if you dont care whats on it and just want to get it running agian,boot to the windows disc and install fresh,copy ,,it will erase everything,good luck

BEFORE TURNING ON THE LAPTOP, press and hold the 0 (zero) button on the keyboard, then turn on the computer while holding the 0 (zero) button down. When the Toshiba logo screen appears, you can release the 0 key.
ALL DATA ERASED AFTER THIS FACTORY RESET

and also try to clean the lens of drive with soft cloth very gently in circled motion i hope it works

pls rate me if i fixed ur problem

1) Disconnect from computer, turn it off, hold in volume + button and reconnect it to your computer - continue holding volume + until the Found Hardware Wizard comes up.

2)
REFORMAT FOR WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER - Erases Everything: Connect your iLo player to the computer and open Windows Media Player. Click on the Sync tab. Pull down the drop down menu underneath the Sync tab by moving your cursor over the Sync tab and left clicking on the little black arrow underneath the Sync tab. Highlight "ILO 2GB" (wording may vary slightly), and then select "Format." - this should erase everything, and give you a fresh start.

1) Disconnect from computer, turn it off, hold in volume + button and reconnect it to your computer - continue holding volume + until the Found Hardware Wizard comes up.

2)
REFORMAT FOR WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER - Erases Everything: Connect your iLo player to the computer and open Windows Media Player. Click on the Sync tab. Pull down the drop down menu underneath the Sync tab by moving your cursor over the Sync tab and left clicking on the little black arrow underneath the Sync tab. Highlight "ILO 2GB" (wording may vary slightly), and then select "Format." - this should erase everything, and give you a fresh start.

If you want to get rid of everything, you can format the player. Open the Samsung Media Studio software, then click on "Menu," "Portable Device," and "Format."