Computer won't power up

Hello,

My Toshiba Satellite gave up the ghost. The power cord was pulled out accidentally. Now the battery will no longer charge and has now drained. No lights come on the computer. It was my third power cord, and there is still power through it, so that's not the issue. Perhaps the outlet on the computer was too damaged. I have replaced the laptop, but am wondering how I can erase the hard drive so that I can recycle the Toshiba.