Best way to re-install OSX for resale after hard drive wipe

Just got a new MacPro and having transferred everything from my early 2008, I have a buyer for that machine. I want to only give him OSX Mavericks and some legally transferrable applications. What is the best way to do this?

Before you sell or give away your computer, in addition to the steps mentioned in this support article, take these steps:
Run Apple Diagnostics or the Apple Hardware Test. The buyer will do this (or he should), and you don't want to be surprised by the results.
Reset the PRAM and the SMC, which might contain personal information.
If you set a firmware password, remove it by running Firmware Password Utility in Recovery mode.
If you activated FileVault in OS X 10.7 or later, turn it off.
If you use Boot Camp, the partition must be deleted.
If you created any other data partitions on the internal drive, remove them in Disk Utility.
Erase the data partition(s) with the option to zero out data. An SSD doesn't need to be zeroed.
You can't legally or practically transfer any software downloaded from the Mac App Store to the new owner of the machine, even if it was free. That includes OS X, so if you upgraded to OS X 10.7 or later, you must reinstall an older OS, either from the installation media, if applicable, or by booting into Internet Recovery (option-command-R at the startup chime.) If you installed from physical media, deliver those to the new owner.
If you're selling the machine, or donating it in working order, and it originally shipped with OS X 10.4 or 10.5, then you have the option of installing either from the discs that came with it or from a retail Snow Leopard disc (which you must then transfer with the machine.) The buyer should understand that if he doesn't get the original discs from you, he won't get the bundled iLife applications or the Apple Hardware Test. Replacements for the original discs can be ordered from Apple.
The new owner will have to redownload any software that came from the App Store, including OS X upgrades, under his or her Apple ID. If you ever updated the bundled iLife applications (Garage Band, iMovie, and iPhoto) through the App Store, you can't transfer those either.
Remove the machine from your list of registered products. If it's still covered by an AppleCare Protection Plan, transfer the coverage to the new owner by following the instructions in the AppleCare Terms and Conditions (under the heading "Transfer of Plan.")

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What is the best way to copy aperture library on to external hard drive? I am getting a message that say's "There was an error opening the database. The library could not be opened because the file system of the library's volume is unsupported".

What is the best way to copy aperture library on to external hard drive? I am getting a message that say's "There was an error opening the database. The library could not be opened because the file system of the library's volume is unsupported". What does that mean? I am trying to drag libraries (with metadata) to external HD...wondering what the best way to do that is?

Kirby Krieger wrote:
Hi Shane. Not much in the way of thoughts - - but fwiw:
How is the drive attached?
Can you open large files on the drive with other programs?
Are you running any drive compression or acceleration programs (some drives arrive with these installed)?
Can you reformat the drive and try again?
Hi Kirby,
I attached the UltraMax Plus with a USB cable. The UltraMax powers the cable so power is not an issue. I can open other files. Also, there is 500GB of files on the drive so I cannot re-format it. Although, I noted I could import the entire Aperture Library. However, I do not want to create a duplicate on my machine because that would be defeating the purpose of the external drive.
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I work for a university and we have a legal apple vendor.Can we re-install macosx for a replacement hard drive for a old macbook?Just one example.

I work for a university and we have a legal apple vendor who we get to buy all our Apple products from.Can we (university) re-install macosx for a replacement hard drive once the hard drive gets replaced? How can we as the university IT department legally re-install macosx on a imac,macbook, macbookair etc. We would like to load customized macosx imaging software onto the mac machines(imac, macbook, etc ). The university has its own IT workshop and we would like our users to get their laptops back in the shortest turnaround time.

We're not "Apple Inc." here, just users like you.
So whatever we say is not an official statement, nor does it in any way, shape, or form represent the official or unofficial policies or opinions of Apple, Inc.
But I'll offer my quick opinion, having worked in information-systems and technology support in a wide variety of environments over many years.
Question #1. "NO!"
No tech support nor repair facility, even if "Apple-authorized", is automatically empowered to install or upgrade OS X on a replacement hard drive just because it is more convenient or time-efficient. When the repair is complete, the student should be expected to (re)install the operating system themself*!
Nurturing students (and occasionally dragging them, screaming and kicking!) as budding computer-, tablet-, smartphone-users to become digitally self-sufficient is a worthy goal that any institution of higher education must pursue.
Making students totally dependent upon "Mother Support" for every little thing about their personal digital devices is a grave disservice to both the students and the people who provide the support. Support-mothered students do become life-long digital dependents, instead of taking the required time to learn enough about the care and feeding of their digital "pets" to sustain them. Entreprenurial students may choose to become 'experts' and actually help each other with their devices, and even make money doing it. Some students may even be inspired/coerced to pursue a career in tech support!!!
*By all means, if the student requests additional help (re-installing the OS), then the University should charge the student a fair price for the service, provided that the user provides the OS on original or upgrade media, or in the case of the 'digital download' upgrades (for OS X 10.7 and 10.8) provides proof of purchase for the OS upgrade, or the original purchase receipt or other recognized documentation for the purchase of the computer showing the version of OS installed when purchased. Students need to learn about personal responsibility, economics ("What is MY time really worth"?), and proper record-keeping too!
Question #2. Regarding the customized imaging software, provide it on media or a link for students to download and install it. Make it their responsibility!
Message was edited by: kostby

Error while installing OSX on a clean hard drive

Hi, here the story: I've decided to reistall osx mavericks on my macbook, so i restarted my mac clicking cmd+r, and that in the recovery mode i earsed the main hard drive so i can have a clean install.
after that i went back and clicked the "Install osx maverics" and after asking my permission to "verify the installation with apple" i got this error:
An error occurred while preparing the installation. Try running this application again.
I restarted, and then it started the "internet recovery" mode, wich now gives me the option to install osx mountain lion instead of mavericks, and gives me the same error every single time...
I've checked the date through the terminal, and its correct, but im not "PDT", thats the only error, Im in "IDT" time zone.
I dont know what to do, please help me...

Hi, pietrodg -
The need to do a firmware update has nothing at all to do with whether the hard drive is 'clean' or not. Since a firmware update places new coding on one or more chips on the Mac's logicboard, erasing the hard drive or even replacing it with a new one will not alter the status of the firmware version on the machine.
The firmware update in question is applicable to the G4 (AGP), G4 (Gigabit Ethernet), and G4 (Digital Audio) models. You can check in Apple System Profiler to see what the current firmware version is - look for the info line labelled "Boot ROM version". If that line states something like "$0004.28f5" then it has been updated to the latest firmware version, v. 4.2.8.
Another way to check is to download and run the firmware updater - if it is not needed, the installer will so state and refuse to run further. You can download the updater from here -
Article #120068 - G4 Firmware Update 4.2.8
Note - the firmware updater will run only when the machine is booted to OS 9 on an internal writeable drive, such as a hard drive, and the updater must be located on that boot drive.

Is The Best Way To Update OS to "Zero Out" eMac Hard Drive?

Ok, so I've got the OEM Apple eMac Tiger installation discs and
will be updating to Tiger 10.4+ in the next week or so.
Here's my question: Is it better to "Zero" out the eMac Hard Drive
(using the Apple installer/utility disc), or better to just proceed
with the Tiger installation and select for my previous Apple OS 10.2.8
to be automatically "archived" during the Tiger installation?
I would assume that the "Zeroing out" process would be the best, even though
the actual process of "Zeroing" the Hard Drive takes quite a long time.
Any suggestions on the best way to prepare the Hard Drive for the Tiger
installation would be appreciated.
- David
Message was edited by: DavidMac

Is it better to "Zero" out the eMac Hard Drive
Only if you're erasing sensitive data or experiencing problems with the existing system.
(40722)

New Mac Pro - Best way to get Windows XP on 2nd Internal Hard Drive?

After 16 years, I'm back to a Mac. I picked up a second hard drive for my Mac Pro that I have not installed yet and would like to solely dedicate this drive to running XP Pro. What is the best way to do this please? Thanks!!!

Hi and welcome to Discussions and also welcome back
for running Windows XP you can use the BootCamp Assistant which is part of OSX Leopard (in the Applications/Utilities Folder).
Print out the Installation Guide found either inside the BC Assistant or from here http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/ and follow it to the letter.
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The BC Assistant gives you the choice to use a secondary harddisk fully for installing Windows (page 7 of the guide).
Make sure that during installation of Windows you re-format the destination with the Windows Installer (page 9+10 of the guide).
Also be aware that with XP you can only use the 32-bit version, since the 64-bit XP version is not supported.
Only with Vista you can use the 64-bit versions, when you have a 2008 or later model of the Mac Pro.
Once you have installed your XP, insert the OSX Leopard DVD while in Windows in order to install the BootCamp Drivers.
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http://www.parallels.com/products/desktop/
http://www.vmware.com/products/fusion/
http://www.virtualbox.org/
And the specialty Crossover Mac http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxmac/
When running Windows on a Mac be sure to use a decent Anti-Virus solution.
Hope it helps
Stefan

Installing OSX Tiger on new hard drive on a iMac G4

Hi
I've had a iMac G4 for about 4 years and the hard drive started to fail, seeing as my computer was way beyond any warrenty I opened it and replaced the hard drive with a maxtor 160GB drive. Ive put it back togethr and can boot it up using a firewire drive with OSX installed fine. But when I try and boot the computer and instal from the OSX disk that came with it, I hav a problem, it says the software can not be installed on this computer.
I've tried disconnecting the firewire and everything non essential before rebooting but I cant get it to work, any one know what I need to do?

Yeah, fraid so. When Apple ships out computers they all have install disks designed around that specific model. If you try to use that Macbook disc on a G4 tower it will detect the difference and refuse to load. It isn't a copyright thing but rather a difference in drivers or other software needed for that model. The retail version of the OS is a universal install including everything needed for every model capable of running Tiger. Presumably it doesn't load what isn't needed.Keep in mind that Leopard is due in October.

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Regards.

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Well, you'll need to reinstall iTunes and the iPod updater.
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~Lyssa

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Are you able to beg or borrow access to another Mac that has access to the internet & is new enough to use the App store?
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http://osxdaily.com/2011/07/08/make-a-bootable-mac-os-x-10-7-lion-installer-from -a-usb-flash-drive/
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Save to new file every N samples.vi ‏20 KB

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-gigascott

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Message was edited by: Limnos to reflect using second internal drive.

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Or, am I just wasting my time with the subfolder thing? Is it better to just transfer the entire library to one folder on the external drive? ... since it's only for back-up purposes anyway.
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The best way, IMO, is to copy the iPhoto LIbrary package intact to the external HD. That will backup all your photos, edits, books, slideshows, etc.
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OT

Install OSX From recently erased Hard drive

So here's the situation. I have 2 macs. 1 fully functioning, another with a completely blank hard drive (i.e. can't do anything cause there's no operating system). I can plug the blank internal hard drive from the down computer, into the working mac and transfer files to it.
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Be sure that your other MacBook can run 10.8.
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Best way to re-install OSX for resale after hard drive wipe

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