most computers have a way to roll it back to factory or new out of the box condition. Who makes your computer?

Go to the internet and google "your computer name and model" and ask how to reset to factory condition. usually its a matter of pressing one button when it starts up, and then following the prompts. it will remove all of YOUR information without destroying the programs that are on your machine, so others can use them.

Hope that helps.

Thanks Dej.

I do remember seeing a "Restore to Factory Settings" option on the computer, which is an HP by the way.

I will check this out if I decide not to remove the hard drive.

Thank you.

I wonder if that factory restore setting does a secure deletion/shredding of files & your info??

I would do some Google searches for info on that before using that option for a computer you will be donating.

Normal deletion of files by accident or on purpose - can be recovered by file recovery programs - I've done it even after a reformat of the drive - I was able to use a free recovery program and get files, photos and programs back.

found this program

[Darik's Boot and Nuke ("DBAN") is a self-contained boot disk that securely wipes the hard disks of most computers. DBAN will automatically and completely delete the contents of any hard disk that it can detect, which makes it an appropriate utility for bulk or emergency data destruction.]
http://www.dban.org/about

Hi Koala77,
Most HP computers if they are not to old have a system restore function. To start this, turn the computer off and disconnect any printers or external hard drives. You only need your mouse, keyboard and monitor to do this. Now hit the power button and turn it back on. As soon as you do this, start tapping the F11 key on your keyboard. This will start the built in system recovery. When the screen comes up, you need to click on "Advanced". If Advanced Options is selected, the system will perform a complete reformat and will destroy all user data. On Advanced Options, select the Windows System Restore option and click Next to begin the process. Then just follow the onscreen instructions.

Thank you for your reply rlj1959.

We have recently moved house, but I didn't want to take the old computer with me on the move.

What I did was remove the hard drive, and I tossed the old computer away.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply to this thread.

G'day Koala,
It's good you kept it. As you know I've had major computer problems and now on new computer the last couple of days and I'm going to take my old hard drive out today if I get time and transfer what I need onto my new one. That will save me having to buy or download them all over again. I just got some new device yesterday called an "Easy IDE", which should allow me to do that. xing fingers. lol

After I've done that I'm going to just buy a case for the drive and use it as external storage that I can plug into the laptop. You could do the same.

Hopefully this all works. Will let you know.