Mac users inside please...

[tn94z]

TweetI think I have my MacBook sold and I was wondering what I need to do to make sure none of my info stays on there. I know in windows you can reset it back to default just by using the system restore. Does Mac have anything like this? What would you suggest?

[IronpumpedLady]

TweetI sold an old one a while back and here's how I got it ready to sell~

To answer your question, you need your original discs, which you still have right?

Startup from the System Restore CD (hold down the "C" key during startup until you're convinced you're starting up from the CD)

From the Menu bar, depending on what version of the operating system you're running you can use "Disk Utility" to wipe the drive free of any personal information. This zeros out the drive, initializing it for use again. You can use 1, 7-pass, or 35-pass initialization to wipe the drive clean.

Then exit Disk Utility (Command-Q). Follow the screens as Apple leads you to reinstall the operating system.

1. Select your main language
2. Continue through the Welcome screen
3. Agree to the Apple Software LIcense Agreement
4. Select the installation destination
5. Optionally select a different installation option to suit your needs
6. Optionally customize the installed packages to suit your needs.

Finally, the installation will execute, and the computer will eventually restart without any further user interaction."

The installer gives you three options (from the screen):
"Upgrade Mac OS X. --> Upgrades Mac OS X from an earlier version. Upgrading is not intended to removed previously installed applications or files.

"Archive and Install ---> Moves existing system files to a folder named Previous System, and then installs a new copy of Mac OS X. You cannot start up your computer using the Previous System folder.

"Erase and Install --> Completely erases the destination volume and then installs a new copy of Mac OS X."

Select the last option and, when the installer quits and the computer restarts, eventually the "Welcome" screen displays and there's some cool music.

Press and hold the power button for eight seconds. The computer turns off and you've prepared the machine for resale.

When you're purchaser powers on, they get the 'Welcome" screen and the system is transferred to the new user.


Stay Strong~~!!!
IPL

[dixiechick]

TweetIPL.... that good info.

[tn94z]

TweetWhat about any pre-loaded applications? I guess those will have to be loaded from the indivual cd's later?

[tn94z]

TweetWhat I ended up doing was creating a new administrator account, logging out of my original account, logging in with the new account I created, and deleted the original. This looked like it deleted everything associated with my original account.

[IronpumpedLady]

TweetI hope you didn't leave files on it~ LOL I did it just as above, and when I logged on it was like when I first bought it, starting from scratch.


Stay Strong~~!!!
IPL

[tn94z]

Tweet

I hope you didn't leave files on it~ LOL I did it just as above, and when I logged on it was like when I first bought it, starting from scratch.


Stay Strong~~!!!
IPL

There was nothing on it. Once I did that process, it was like it was a new machine. It deleted everything that was associate with that account. There weren't many files on it as I only used it for internet access and pictures which I pulled off to an external drive. But if I had downloaded any programs like Utorrent or anything, it deleted those because they were associated with the profile. I spoke with a buddy that has been using macs for a while now and he said this is a much quicker way to delete your info. It's like 5 minutes as opposed to 1.5 hours reloading.

[IronpumpedLady]

TweetThats good to know~ Thanks! I'm not a computer guru, LOL So I'm always up for an easier faster way that does the same job.


Stay Strong~~!!!
IPL