Erasing hard disk without start up disk?

I'm running Mac OS 10.8.6. I no longer have the start up disk and want to completely erase my hard disk so I can resell the computer. How do I do this? The disk utility does not give me the option to do a 35 erase. Thank you.

Since Apple has never released 10.8.6, I am guessing you mean 10.6.8
If so call AppleCare and order a replacement ser of install DVD since they are part of that Mac. Once you get them then you will be able to erase the disk.
Allan

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How do I erase things from my start up disk? My computer says its almost full.

How do I erase things from my start up disk? My computer says its almost full.

See Here...
what-to-do-when-your-hard-drive-is-full.html

Both of my computers crashed nearly simultanesously due to mal-ware, had to erase hard drives to start over, did not have chance to de-activate either Acrobat or Creative Cloud before they crashed. I need you to retroactively deactivate these two previou

Both of my computers crashed nearly simultanesously due to mal-ware, had to erase hard drives to start over, did not have chance to de-activate either Acrobat or Creative Cloud before they crashed. I need you to retroactively deactivate these two previous computers (one Dell desktop, another a Dell laptop from my university, the University Of Missouri_KC), so that I can re-install on my laptop (which has been repaired by UMKC), and the other on my new private desktop (which replaces my previous desktop, which cannot be salvaged). I have the serial numbers of my two products, if Adobe could request them
Please respond as soon as possible. - Marc Garcelon, [email protected], UMKC email address: [email protected]@

Hi Marc,
Please refer to the help document below for deactivation:
Activation & Deactivation Help
Also, the creative cloud membership can only work on 2 machines. You will receive an error automatically on the third machine.
Regards,
Sheena

OS X Mavericks does not recognize my hard drive as start up disk. What can i do? I own an iMac early 2009

I recently downloaded OX Mavericks and run the installer. But at the moment of choosing the start up disk, it didn't allow me to use my internal drive as start up. Any ideas how to fix this issue?
Your comments are most welmcome. Thank you

Thank you. That's what I thought will need to happen.
One more question. I tried using the Apple install disk that came with the computer. It's an OS 10.5.6 disk. It does not see my 10.6.8 system internal hard drive to repair. All it see's is itself 10.5.6 disk. Do you think I can use a 10.8+ disk utillity since that is a higher system it will see the 10.6.8. Where the 10.5.6 does not?
I don't want to turn the computer off for fear I'll get the question mark again. P-Ram got me going last time but for how long I don't know? It would be nice to be able to turn the computer off for the night and startup as usual to give it a rest and try to reset itself.
Thanks for your help, I know I will eventually need to re-install. But I am in the middle of a project with tight deadlines and all I can do right now is back-up. Trying to migrate to another computer temporarily to finish the job. That's a lot of extra work in the short time also.
Just trying to put a band-aid on it for another couple weeks.

Resetting Administrator and password on Power Mac G5 without start up disks

Is it possible to reset the user name and password without the start up disks and if so how can it be done?
StevStep

StevStep wrote:
Is it possible to reset the user name and password without the start up disks and if so how can it be done?
Do you know the password for an existing user account? If so, just log in as that user, go to the Accounts system preference & click the "Change Password..." button to change it. You can also change the 'long' user name to whatever you want in the "User Name" box in that same preference.
However, if you want to change the 'short' name of any account (the one used for the account's home folder, the Reset Password utility on the Mac OS X Install disc won't help -- it just allows anyone that can boot the Mac with that disc to reset the admin password, but not change the user short name associated with it.
To do that follow the procedure in Mac OS X: How to change user short name or home directory name. Of course, to do that, you need to know the password for an admin account (to enable the root user), so if you don't know the password for any admin account, you would need to use the reset password utility from an installer disc.
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How can I reformat my MBP's hard drive without the Install Disk?

My MacBook Pro got a virus, and I need to reformat my computer without the Install Disk (I don't have it anymore).
Is it possible to fix it?

you don't have a virus.
your best antivirus is already installed in your Macbook. It's called OS X Lion. (fully updated).
do not install any memory resident antivirus in your computer. Especially anything made by Norton or Mackeeper.
download and install ClamX AV a non memory resident anti virus and scan your macbook once a week.
since you're running Lion, you can create a Lion Recovery Disk Assitant in a USB Thumb Drive. Click here. for more info.

Erasing Hard Drive without video

My video card failed (or so Apple told me), and so I can no longer see what's happening with my iBook. Since I'd like to get rid of it or donate it, is there a way to securely erase the hard drive without being able to see the screen? I've found instructions for erasing, but they require you to select from onscreen choices. Thanks.

Hi, Jason. Welcome to Apple Discussions.
Do you have access to another Mac with FireWire? If so, you may be able to get the iBook to remain responsive in FireWire Target Disk Mode so you can erase the hard drive by this method:
If the iBook is on, shut it down and wait 30 seconds (or longer). Pick it up in your left palm to the left of the trackpad and squeeze the case there between your palm and left thumb as you push the power button and key combination to start up in FireWire Target Disk Mode. Do not let up the pressure on the case. Continue applying this pressure as you erase your drive from the other Mac. If you let up and the iBook dies or freezes, you will have to start over, allowing it to rest several hours or overnight before beginning again.
If at first you don't succeed, allow the iBook to sit overnight, and try again. It is more apt to start up after a long rest.
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Disk utility. start up disk

Trying to run disk utility from the start up disk.
I insert install disk #1.
Restart while pressing C key.
I just get the language thing then the installer.
There is no disk utility or installer menu.
If I press continue, it's a dead end only installation choices with no escape or restart.
What am I leaving out?
Thanks.

One event showed the warning in your link.
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The Wacom tablet is plugged into the display.
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Erase Hard Drive without original disk

Hi, I've got a 2006 macbook pro with intel processor. I want to delete all the info on this computer but I can't find the disks that came with it. I do have the new snow leopard install disk. Can I use disk utility to erase everything on the hard drive, then use this snow leopard disk to install an OS on this computer?

Yes, you can. You obviously have to use the copy of Disk Utility on the install disk (ie, boot from the DVD, and run DU from the Utilities menu).
Matt

How do I erase my computer without an install disk?

I just got a new macbook, and am looking to give my old one away. I am running OSX 10.5.8, and I want to erase all of my personal data, programs and settings without losing the OS. Is that possible? All of the instructions I've found for wiping the memory start with the install disc, but I don't have one of those (OS came pre-installed). How do I set about wiping the computer without an install disc?

Is it any wonder that I called this thread unhelpful when from begining to end it has been bristling with comments like yours: "It would not be bad for you to read how to behave in society" and people assuring me that I must be lieing or crazy about the discs?
I asked a very simple question, met with rude remarks on my character, and solved the question myself in the end. The macbook is still being given away, but to someone I trust not to try to recover my deleted files. I wanted a clean memory for her to use.
My husband works in IT (Windows, usually), so I am familiar with the frustrations computer gurus face when the uninformed like me ask (apparently) the wrong question. I am also, however, familiar with good customer service and the way good companies take care of the poor shmucks who don't know how to phrase what they want. "How to behave in society"-- maybe try it yourself. I sincerely hope the people represented here, with the exception of Mr. Walter Milano who was actually polite *and* helpful, aren't Apple service representatives. The rudeness is not what I had come to expect from this company.

New hard drive, trouble starting from disk

I just installed a replacement hard drive. Now when I hold "option" on startup and choose "install disk" (that is the ONLY option), nothing happens... just the apple and spinning flower circle...

if there's a problem with the number of installations, you'll see a message about an excess activation problem.
if that's what you're seeing, contact adobe support for an activation count reset, https://helpx.adobe.com/contact.html
otherwise, attach a screenshot of the error message or quote it.

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I received a full startup disk message--I went into my hard disk to get rid of tv shows I've been downloading--only to be totally amazed by all the unknown files. I have no idea what to get rid of. I've been searching for 2 days for the tv shows and I have a dead end. Can someone please assist me. Why are the files hidden? Why is this so difficult?

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
Whatever program you are using to download the shows probably has a setting to download the files to a specific location. Mind you, you can use this article to find out what is filling your hard disk and where those files are:
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Can I erase a macbook without using a disk

I want to restore my macbook to the factory settings but my disk driver does not work. Can I do this without having to use a disk?

A few problems with your suggestions:
A. A flash drive is worthless if you haven't a way to put a bootable system on it (and the OP has no way to do that.)
B. You cannot download OS X. Apple does not provide downloadable versions of any OS X except Lion and Mountain Lion both of which require prior purchase. I you find a downloadable version of Snow Leopard or earlier it is pirated and downloading it is illegal. Furthermore, once you do that we will no longer provide any help.
C. Recommending the pirating of Apple software is itself a violation of your rights to use these forums and will be reported to the moderators.

Erase hard drive without install disc

I had to replace my MacBook Pro for a variety of reasons, one of which was that the optical drive was shot. Now I want to erase the HD. How do I do this without the install disc?

As you are running OS X Mountain Lion, you can use OS X Recovery to erase the hard drive. Read > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4718
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Erase and reinstall without start up discs.

I want to erase and reinstall my MacBook Pro which is 10.6.8 but I can't find my start up discs anywhere. Is there a way I can do this?

No. To do an erase and install requires a Snow Leopard DVD or a bootable backup on an external drive or another Mac with Firewire ports running Snow Leopard.
You can purchase Snow Leopard through the Apple Store: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.). The price is $19.99 plus tax. You will be sent physical media by mail after placing your order.
After you install Snow Leopard you will have to download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 and give you access to the App Store. Access to the App Store enables you to download Mountain Lion if your computer meets the requirements.
     Snow Leopard General Requirements
       1. Mac computer with an Intel processor
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       3. 5GB of available disk space
       4. DVD drive for installation
       5. Some features require a compatible Internet service provider;
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       6. Some features require Apple’s MobileMe service; fees and
           terms apply.

Erasing hard disk without start up disk?

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