Clean the hard drive before OS upgrade?

Upgrading from Snow Leopard to Yosemite. I trashed 100gb of old files. I double saved my photos and music and emails. Backed everything up with Time Machine. Wondering at this point if I should just wipe the hard drive and start with a clean machine.
Thank you, Andy

That probably isn't really necessary, but this you should do:
Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.

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How to 'clean' the hard drive before selling

I just bought a MBP and plan to sell my black MacBook. Is there any way I can be sure all my personal info and settings are set as default. I will transfer my files to the new computer, but what about the settings like network passwords, internet files, etc... Is there an Apple tool to do this? Thanks a lot!

HI,
If you have purchased items from the iTunes store on the MacBook, make sure and go online with it, launch iTunes and from the Menu Bar, click Store/Deauthorize computer.
*Erasing disks securely*
Usually when you erase a disk or volume, Disk Utility only erases the information used to access the files on the disk, not the actual files. Because of this, the erased files can be recovered.
If you want to erase the files so that they cannot be recovered, you can select security options to write zeros over the disk space. To make it more difficult to recover the files on the disk, you can specify doing this once, seven times, or 35 times. If you have a large disk, overwriting the free space several times can take a long time.
In Disk Utility, select the disk you want to erase and click Erase.
Specify a volume format and name for the disk.
Click Security Options and select the option you want to use. Click OK.
Click Erase.
If you select your startup disk, the buttons are dimmed because you can't erase your startup disk. To erase your computer's startup disk, you must start up from another disk. You can use your Mac OS X Install disc or the Software Restore disc that came with your computer.
Carolyn

So lately I decided I was tired of Tiger, and decided I would upgrade to Leopard. Well I made the mistake of erasing the hard drive before I made sure it would work. Well now like the installer was before it failed. And now when I boot it just won't work

So lately I decided I was tired of Tiger, and decided I would upgrade to Leopard. Well I made the mistake of erasing the hard drive before I made sure it would work. Well now like the installer was before it failed. And now when I boot I get the normal finder/question mark flashing folder. I also found a power Mac g4 that needs a new operating system. It's running 9.2. It's going to my grandma as a gift. I really need help.

I think you'll need to find a Retail 10.5 Disc.
Leopard requirements/10.5.x...
    * Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor
minimum system requirements
    * 512MB of memory (I say 1.5GB for PPC at least, 2-3GB minimum for IntelMacs)
    * DVD drive for installation
    * 9GB of available disk space (I say 30GB at least)
Classic/OS9 Apps no longer supported.
Trouble is Apple no longer sells it, check eBay & such for the Retail version, not the Gray Discs...
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mac+os+x+leopard+retail+10.5
There are workarounds if the 867MHz CPU is the only hangup...
http://sourceforge.net/projects/leopardassist/
http://lowendmac.com/osx/leopard/unsupported.html
List of Applications Not Compatible with Leopard...
http://guides.macrumors.com/List:Applications_Not_Compatible_with_Leopard

How to install lion cleaning the hard drive

I have a MacBook I am currently running Liuon but have previously installed Leopard and Snow Leopard without clearing the hard drive first.
The machine has now three operating systems installed and is running very slow.
It has been suggested that I make a copy of the hard drive, before erasing all the information and loading Lion on a clean hard drive.
How do i do this?

Install Lion to a blank drive or partition, including one created with the Disk Utility, and then either use the Migration Assistant or copy your files to the new system manually as desired.
(66830)

Hello, I just bought a Snow Leopard and I have tried ti install this on my macbook pro 2008 (10.5.8) and I can not do it. I have to erase the hard drive before in order to succeed. Please tell me step by step what to do. I appreciate very much your help.

Hello, I just bought a Snow Leopard and I have tried to install this on my macbook pro 2008 (10.5.8) and I can not do it. I have to erase the hard drive before in order to succeed. Please tell me step by step what to do. I appreciate very much your help.
Thanks

Here are the directions:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3910?viewlocale=en_US
Ciao.

I need to recycle my old G3-how do I clean the hard drive on a 9.2 system before recycling it.??

Any tips on how to get rid of all my data on hard drive before the recyler gets it?
My system is 9.2 its an old g3 mac.

I disagree with your choice of a solution.
1) The answer does not mention removing the platters that contain the data from the drive, so I guess you'll just smash the whole unit. I don't know how recyclers operate in detail but making a mess of the drive will likely make it more difficult (impossible?) for the recycler to isolate the components that are hazardous or valuable. I could give you a bag of food and you could pick out the canned items, but if I run over the bag with a car a couple of times you would likely just throw the whole lot in the trash.
2) Removing a drive and taking out the platters would take you just as long as booting it up, erasing it with write zeros in Drive Setup while you do something else.
3) Some people can actually make use of a non-pulverized old drive. There are still people around who run G3s and look for compatible drives, especially if they are free. I know our local waste dropoff place also has a pickup area where you can look for things you can use, including electronics. The last couple of G3s I wanted gone I just posted on Craigslist and I had several takers (as recently as 6 months ago).

Erase the Hard Drive before selling computer ???

I just sold my iBook G4 (with original OS 10.3 cds)
I will be reinstalling all the original software before I deliver it.
What's the best way to ZERO the hard drive. I knew how to do it
with OS 9 but I can't figure it with OS X.
I just want to erase all the data (FOR GOOD) and then reinstall
the Cds - before delivering it.
Any ideas?
Thanx!

Hi SLNY
Insert your Install disk 1 into to the drive and then Restart, and hold down the C key to take you to the installation windows.
Select your language, the start up Volume and choose Erase and Install.
Select Security options and choose zero all data.
This will take longer. If you choose more extensive secure erase, be prepared to wait several hours for it to complete.
After the installation, at the point your registration process starts, quit and switch off the computer.
This will allow the new user a freshly installed system, whereby they can complete the registration process themselves.
regards roam

I just bought a iMac G5 iSight from my school, how do I clean the hard drive and set it up as a new iMac, I just bought a iMac G5 iSight from my school, how do I clean the hard drive and set it up as a new iMac

I just bought an iMac G5 with iSight. How do I wipe the hard drive and set it up as a new iMac

Boot from your Mac OS X installer DVD. After selecting a language, choose "Disk Utility" from the menu bar.
When Disk Utility launches, use the "Zero Out Data" option under the Erase tab. Erase the entire disk, not only the free space.
One pass of zeros is secure enough for normal use. One pass will take a couple of hours, so plan some time.
Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Time Machine is EXTREMELY SLOW. What is the best way to make a complete, reliable copy of the hard drive before i erase the disk?

I was given an older iMac (from 2010) on the condition i first create a complete, reliable copy of everything on her hard drive and then wipe it clean. Is Time Machine the best way to do this so that she can use this data when she needs it? I started Time Machine but it is so slow, at this rate it will take at least 10 days to do the first backup. I'm already on the 3rd day now at about 2.5 GB per day. Is there a better way that is reliable? perhaps some kind of disc copy? This iMac has 4gb memory,processor: 3.06 gHz Intel core i3, model iMac11,2, 1 processor, 2 cores. thank you

Choices.
Clone - Carbon Copy Cloner (Often recommended as it has more features than some others)
Clone – Data Backup
Clone – Deja Vu
Clone - SuperDuper
Clone - Synk
Clone Software – 6 Applications Tested
Time Machine Versus Clones and Archives
Commonly Used Backup Methods

Clone Your Hard Drive before major upgrades!!!!!!

http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=1517158#1517158
Someday, whether your it's because your hard drive fails or because you get upgraditis, you'll be glad you did......

With past versions of iLife, you could just rename the app like any other file, by clicking once on the icon, and then once more on the name itself. For example, rename "iMovieHD" to "iMovieHD_5", and then the new iLife installer wouldn't remove it since the name had changed. Might be a good idea to move it to another folder while you install, and move back afterwards.
But there are a few warnings about this method too. The integration of the iLife applications (for example using iTunes in iMovie and iDVD) could easily get messed up, and the update will often update things like your iPhoto albums and iTunes xml files, etc. New iLife apps often share the same preference file as the "old" iLife namesake, so startups can be flaky as you go back and forth between old and new ilife apps. See Old Toads warning about iPhoto libraries:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=314272&tstart=0
- these will be changed, and just using the "old" iDVD probably won't help.
In other words, just keeping the old iLife apps around is not a fail-safe insurance policy, and expect some flakyness at best.
Cloning your system and old applications to another drive is a much better option...and someday, you'll be glad you did.
John

Cleaning the hard drive

I have been asked to look at some Mac machines, at least one has OS X, and to remove all files and documents. The owner would like to donate them minus any personal information. Will a clean install be the best technique?
iMac Mac OS X (10.4.3)
iMac Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Greetings and welcome.
The short answer is "Yes". The longer answer depends on how secure you want the erasure to be.
What you could also do is to put all the personal information into the trash, and then "Secure Empty Trash" (From the apple menu). Then do a clean install.

Will Upgrading Mac OS X delete the windows off the hard drive?

Will Upgrading Mac OS X delete the windows off the hard drive?

Will Upgrading Mac OS X delete the windows off the hard drive?
If you're using multiple partitions, no. If you're using an image with Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion, only if an Erase & Install is done.
(40716)

Rapidly decreasing hard-drive space after upgrading to snow leopard

So... recently upgraded to SL on my just over 1 year old MBP. No problems at first, but now acting really... odd...
When I first upgraded I had moved a bunch of files over to an external drive to have enough hard drive space. Had 11GB open when I upgraded, up to 23GB after the upgrade. Then, the other night, I suddenly get a "your startup disk is full" message. I was shocked. Checked and sure enough, had something like 270KB open. I had not saved any new files on the hard drive since I upgraded. Right after I got this message my computer spazzed out and I got a "you must restart your computer" message. Did, and afterwords had 7GB of free space on my hard drive. Don't know what happened to my 23 from a few days prior...
Since then, I have gotten the "your startup disk is full" message several times. When I check, I have everything from 3GB to 0KB of free space. Usually a restart solves the problem for a few hours, but then it pops up again. (In fact, as I wrote that, the message popped up on my screen once again... when I started this post I had 500-something KB free. Currently have 257KB free... again... no files saved/downloaded in the past few days...)
I've never had a problem like this before, and this is BEYOND annoying at this point... considering I've lost all the free space I freed up BEFORE I even upgraded, not to mention the extra space I was supposed to get by upgrading in the first place... plus I've had to restart my computer 5-6 times over the past 2 days, which is more than I've had to do it in the year that I've owned it...
anyone else having similar problems? Any ideas as to what might be going on??

So I'm having the same problem. I was converting songs in iTunes and browsing the web in Safari with a few torrents running in the background with Transmission. All the sudden the computer started hanging and I decided to restarted. After the restart, the Apple logo showed on the grey startup screen with a white progress bar (looked like a firmware update). When it completed and booted to the login screen I got a prompt that my startup disk was full and to delete some files. I know this can't be right because I had about 50GB free on my startup disk. Then after restart I noticed that the drive was fluctuating a lot! It first said I had ~250MB free, then jumped to 698 - 769MB!
I'm attempting a Snow Leopard install DVD startup and Disk Utility fix for repair and permissions. I really hope my HDD hasn't decided to randomly crap out. :-/

Can I restore snow leopard on my 2007 17" macbook pro if I wipe the hard-drive as I don't have the original start up discs?

I am trying to clean the hard-drive of my 2007 17" macbook pro ready for sale but I don't have the original instal discs. I do have instal discs for a similar 15" model but it doesn't accept them. I am currently running osx 10.6.4. Any suggestions as to how I can erase unwanted content or return to original settings?
Thanks, Howard

press "T" immediately after power on, connect mac to other mac with firewire cable - it will be visible as external drive(s)
in the end unmount it and shut down with power button

Is it worth it to replace the hard drive of a brand new macbook?

I'm buying a Macbook today and realize it would be cheaper to buy the 160gb laptop, and switch out the hard drive to a 320 gb (its only $76, compared to the $300 difference between the 160gb macbook and the 250gb macbook).
I picked out the hard drive and I know where the hard drive in my laptop will be located, and how to remove and replace it. However I'm a little worried about actually doing it. I wouldn't need to back anything up because I haven't used it before, so can I just replace the hard drive before I ever even turn it on for the first time?
Also, I've never done this before..
What are the risks I'm taking by doing this?
and, is it worth it?

Yup, gotta love OWC!
Try this:
1. Place order for DIY (external enclosure kit + HD) kit.
2. While waiting for delivery, enjoy your MacBook.
3. When kit arrives, back up your MacBook to DVDs!! You know how, right?
4. Swap drives. Careful, you'll need to swap the 4 mounting pins from the current HD to the new one. Our current HD uses hex-keyed pins. And the kit came with enough screws, right?
5. Install "old" HD from MacBook into enclosure (FireWire 800 (zoom!) for Pros, USB for Not Pros). You did order the right one, right? And it came with the right cables, right?
5a. Boot 'Book from that external device (you know how, right?). Maybe not as fast via that cable, hm?
6. Restore to the new internal HD and now reboot from it. Check that all is well before . . .
7. . . . erasing "old" HD in new enclosure. Your backup was fine, right?
8 (and last). Use "old" HD in enclosure as your Time Machine device. What could be better? Continue to use DVDs to back up the whole Mac. (Though there are even cooler ways to bulletproof it . . .)
With Leopard's tools, and these new Macs, geekery will never be the same. It's insanely easy to keep your stuff safe and sound for not that much $$. So gofer it!
MSES

Clean the hard drive before OS upgrade?

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