How do I delete manufacturers data from hard drive?

mike, I am not exactly sure what you are trying to do. there is possibly a partition that holds the Sony data. i.e. system backup etc. You could just delete that partition, reformat the drive, and install your HP files on a separate partition. Just be careful and only do this if you have an OS disk and the HP disk. You will need the HP disk for your computer to install it to the drive. It would help if you would tell us what it is that you are trying to accomplish.

If the HP drive is still functional you should be able to put the old Sony drive in a external drive dock. Then reformat the drive use the "zero out" function to do this. Next it depends on if you have the recovery disks your HP came with. If not you should try to contact HP to see if they can supply a set. As your Hardware should have the windows License attached to it, there would not be a need to repurchase windows again. If HP doesn't or isn't able to supply the recovery disks and you don't have them you will need to go to HP's website download all the drivers for your equipment and contact Microsoft to obtain a copy of the windows installer CD. If not then you can always use software to clone the old HP drive if it is still functional and copy it to the new sony drive (after formatting, don't want any rogue data bits causing headaches later) If the HP drive has died and you don't and can't get the HP recovery disks you will then need to get a fresh license of windows, not an upgrade. Unfortunately, this may cost more than the cost of a new laptop since you are buying a new windows license. Also you'll need to still download the drivers from HP's website.