Can I reformat a laptop w blank screen using another laptop?

you removed its hard drive and connected it to the second computer.

Couldn't do it while networked as the system wouldn't allow its system drive to be formatted.

Best method would be to make use of the Operating System's Installation Disk which is bootable.

On the other hand, if the system was working OK prior to the blank screen have you tried Safe Mode and have you tried the manufacturer supplied recovery process? Most manufacturer's even have a diskless recovery that can be accessed during boot by pressing specific keys but without knowing the laptop make and specific model (we aren't mind readers) we can't help with that (although the user guide should).

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Format etc.

by pgc3 - 12/9/12 6:31 PM

In Reply to: You could if ... by Edward ODaniel

Yes Ed I concur with what you have said..except..in the event the down unit is corrupted or infected with anything malicious it could exacerbate the situation, that was the reason for my suggestion of a bootable disk. If he knew for a fact that the sick unit is/was clean, fine but as for me I'm going for the boot disk every time.