Wiping A Hard Drive

[Coppit]

I want to give away my 7-year-old desktop computer but the methods of wiping personal information from the hard drive are confusing. Please suggest methods.

[barry1010]

What operating system is it? Windows 7, 8 or something else?

[ToraToraTora]

just re install the operating system and choose the "wipe all the user files option". That will in effect restore factory settings.

[Coppit]

Now seeking Password ...

[Peter Pedant]

plug in to help
how do I reformat the hard drive - wipes everything

if all the docs are in hem hem the documents folder
erase it with an erazer program

chris Buen will suggest one

I use the original which was developed for use when terrorists over run CIA offices ! - love it. The poor geek who just put it on the internet got 100 000 emails of varying quality in the first week!