Try an ATA Secure Erase:
http/cmrr.ucsd.edu/hughes/SecureErase.html
Still no luck on the hdd. I have more info if someone can help,
hitachi HTS545025B9A
When the computer displays - enter unlock password - it also displays (key:60714117)
I don't want to throw this thing away. The SMART shows it's in good health.
Any info is welcome.
It appears that you may have an Acer laptop. If so, then you would need to supply the key to Acer Tech Support. They have a tool to unlock your laptop. It does this by using the key to generate the original password.