Converting work computer for personal use

[landfilltim]

Hello, I resigned from my employer recently and they let me keep their computer.  I worked for a major Car and Home Insurance company.  My login to the network is going to expire soon and I will not be able to use the computer anymore.  I need to know how to erase all of the administrator stuff and convert everything to normal personal use before the login expires.  Can you help?

[patio]

Desktop or Laptop ? ?
Make and Model # ? ?

Best thing to do with a used PC always is a wipe and clean install...
Depending on the Model it may have a hidden factory restore partition which would cost you nothing to use.

[Veltas]

Depending on the Model it may have a hidden factory restore partition which would cost you nothing to use.

AKA don't try to wipe it just yet.

[landfilltim]

The computer is an HP Elitebook 8460p with Windows 7 Gold Disk 7.1.2 LTI

[soybean]

Windows 7 Gold Disk 7.1.2 LTI

What is Gold Disk 7.1.2 LTI? 

If you open Computer, do you see a drive labeled RECOVERY (D:)?  If so, then you can use it to restore the computer to its original configuration.  Here's a reference on the procedure for a Dell computer: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-boot-into-a-recovery-partition-in-windows.navId-323028.html.  The procedure is basically the same for an HP system but the F key may be something other than F10 or F12, which are mentioned in the article.  With my old HP Compaq laptop, F11 was the key.