Removing old data from a pc.

Good day to all.
I have a HP compaq laptop running windows 7,I have gone and bought a new Acer windows 8.1 laptop.
Now my issue is what is the best option to do with the old HP laptop,Either sell it or find another solution of making some other use from it.
Well about the selling part,What would be the best way to make sure that all my data is removed from the hdd. Is there a simple method that one can do and then restart the pc and it's up and running as a new one with only the windows left to use.
Or any other options that maybe that I can use this for another use?,A pal suggested converting it to use on another operating system.Well it was a thought but I'm not very technically experienced on doing that.
Would anyone please pass on some advice on this matter.
I would be very glad of some help.
Many Thanks.

I personally like keeping my hard drives. You can sell the PC on Ebay without the HDD. Either buy an external hard drive case and use it as a storage device.

I agree, just pull the drive and keep it.

As long as the laptop has a readable COA on it, the new user can easily install windows.

See this tutorial: Windows 7 Installation - Prepare PC to be Sold

Kari

trendy said:

Well about the selling part,What would be the best way to make sure that all my data is removed from the hdd. Is there a simple method that one can do and then restart the pc and it's up and running as a new one with only the windows left to use

There are 2 easy options:

1. Sell the computer as a "new" one with only Windows installed
Windows 7 Installation - Prepare PC to be Sold

2. Sell it with everything securely wiped from the HDD
https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...ard-drive.html

Both methods will securely wipe the HDD of all personal data. Using Option 1 may allow you to command a premium on the selling price as you have gone to the trouble of preparing the "out the box "Windows installation.

Good luck!

Many thanks all,Lot of thing to look into there.
Thanks.