I am technology challenged. How can I remove personal data on an old, broken pc, so I can safely throw it out?

Remove the old hard drive, that is where all of your information is stored. And Keep just that part or open it up & smash the platters with a hammer...

If you aren't able to get into microsoft windows, then it's probably not possible unless you either took the old hard drive out (lots easier) or your can hook the hard drive in the old broken computer up to another computer while the old hard drive is in cable select mode. then go into my computer and format the old hard drive. Once you put the old one back in the old computer, nothing that was on there before will work. If the thing still boots up and works correctly but is still damaged looking, keep it anyways. It's good to have more than one computer sometimes especialy if something doesn't work in one. I've got three laptops and two desktops. Each one does one thing that all the others dont do sometimes.

Please Give it to charity

Computers go out of date quickly, and when yours is no longer meeting your needs it's tempting to want to give it to someone who can still get some use out of it. Charities can often use older computers--if not for their own use, there is often value in resale. Here are some things to remember and check when you're ready to donate your old machine.

You could just drop your old computer off at the local Goodwill, but there's a good chance that it can meet a more immediate need. Check with local schools, public and private, and see if they have any need for a used computer. Make sure that you know the specifications of the computer before you call--essentials like processor speed, memory, hard drive size, modems, video capabilities and so on. Don't be discouraged if not everyone's interested. With a little sleuthing, you may find someone who can really use your machine.

Must be an old AIG or CitiGroup machine huh? Well, since you know nothing about computers, then borrow a friends pick-up truck, and gently ride over the darn thing. That aught to do it. Make sure it's nice and flat so it fits into the bin nicely.

If you want to recover your data, try data recovery softwares such as Ultimate Data Recovery, PC Inspector File Recovery, Pandora, Recova, or others.

http://datarecoverydownload.blogspot.com/2009/01/u...

Well, if you have a really really big secret in that hardisk that you really really want to hide forever, then smash it, grind it, kick it, make sure it doesn't look like a hardisk anymore, burn it if you wish, after that only your data can not be restore.

But if the data isn't that sensitive, you might want to reconsider before destroying it, read this blog.

Boot from the Knoppix LiveCD and type # shred -vfz -n 100 /dev/hda

http://linuxhelp.blogspot.com/2006/06/how-to-secur...

take side panel off two to four screws take out hard drive smash with hammer job done

remove the hard drive :)

take out the hard drive...the square steel box...and drill holes through it...gl