"I have the power cord but as long as there is a dead battery it doesn't do me any good."
Try this: Connect the power cord and see that the mains switch is 'on', leave it standing there for some hours and try booting it up. I've had some similar cases - the latest one I just booted five minutes ago, I left it "charging" yesterday when I left for home...
How to wipe? Have a go with Blancco and you'll never see your thesis again! ;-)
By clicking on the User Name, you will requery the forum for that user. You will see everything that he or she has posted with that Mudcat name.
By clicking on the Thread Name, you will be sent to the Forum on that thread as if you selected it from the main Mudcat Forum page.
By clicking on the Subject, you will also go to the thread as if you selected it from the original Forum page, but also go directly to that particular message.
By clicking on the Date (Posted), you will dig out every message posted that day.