Erasing iMac before selling. Need Help.

Hello,
I'm selling my Mac. I'm going to do a clean install and am wondering if someone can look at what I'm going to do, and let me know if this is correct. First going to zero out the HD. Then doing a clean install with my restoration discs. Looking for the quickest and safest way of doing this. Do not have any secure info on here. Secured trash already. My question is that when I start up can the new owner put in her log-in info as administrator?
Looking for help to do this. The new owner is a teacher, and is coming tonight to get it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm getting a new Mac....Yay

you might find this useful: _*Selling Used Macs guide*_.
JGG

Similar Messages

IMac kernal panic NEED HELP!

I have a iMac 24" Mid 2007 and its keeps crashing dont know what to do!
NEED HELP!
Wed Jul 30 14:26:55 2014
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xffffff80184efe1b): "new_vnode: vp (0xffffff802542fe88) on RAGE list not marked VLIST_RAGE"@/SourceCache/xnu/xnu-2050.7.9/bsd/vfs/vfs_subr.c:3784
Backtrace (CPU 0), Frame : Return Address
0xffffff80203d3810 : 0xffffff801841d5f6
0xffffff80203d3880 : 0xffffff80184efe1b
0xffffff80203d3940 : 0xffffff80186f1412
0xffffff80203d3a40 : 0xffffff80186f95d2
0xffffff80203d3c60 : 0xffffff8018511634
0xffffff80203d3ca0 : 0xffffff80184eb75c
0xffffff80203d3d20 : 0xffffff80184eb14e
0xffffff80203d3de0 : 0xffffff801850089f
0xffffff80203d3f50 : 0xffffff80187e17da
0xffffff80203d3fb0 : 0xffffff80184cecf3
BSD process name corresponding to current thread: mds
Mac OS version:
12A269
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 12.0.0: Sun Jun 24 23:00:16 PDT 2012; root:xnu-2050.7.9~1/RELEASE_X86_64
Kernel UUID: 8D5F8EF3-9D12-384B-8070-EF2A49C45D24
Kernel slide: 0x0000000018200000
Kernel text base: 0xffffff8018400000
System model name: iMac7,1 (Mac-F42386C8)
System uptime in nanoseconds: 900478869130
last loaded kext at 364220525728: com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIBlockCommandsDevice 3.5.1 (addr 0xffffff7f9a3e1000, size 86016)
last unloaded kext at 451144217735: com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCDC 4.1.21 (addr 0xffffff7f9a3cd000, size 12288)
loaded kexts:
com.apple.filesystems.smbfs 1.8
com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC 1.60
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager 4.0.9f8
com.apple.filesystems.autofs 3.0
com.apple.driver.AppleHDA 2.3.0f2
com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor 1.9.5d0
com.apple.iokit.CSRBluetoothHCIControllerUSBTransport 4.0.9f8
com.apple.iokit.IOUserEthernet 1.0.0d1
com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X 7.0.0
com.apple.driver.ApplePolicyControl 3.2.6
com.apple.driver.ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin 1.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleLPC 1.6.0
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklight 170.2.3
com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient 3.5.10
com.apple.driver.AppleMCCSControl 1.0.33
com.apple.kext.AMDFramebuffer 8.0.0
com.apple.ATIRadeonX2000 8.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleIRController 320.15
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeDataless 1.0.0d1
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib 1.0.0d1
com.apple.BootCache 34
com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient 3.5.1
com.apple.driver.XsanFilter 404
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage 2.2.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub 5.1.6
com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM 1.6.1
com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI 4.9.5
com.apple.driver.AirPortBrcm43224 600.36.17
com.apple.iokit.AppleYukon2 3.2.3b1
com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort 2.4.0
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelPIIXATA 2.5.1
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI 5.1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBUHCI 5.1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleRTC 1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleHPET 1.7
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons 1.6
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS 1.9
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC 1.6
com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC 1.6
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient 196.0.0
com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall 4.0.39
com.apple.security.quarantine 2
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement 196.0.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIBlockCommandsDevice 3.5.1
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBMassStorageClass 3.5.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily 10.0.6
com.apple.kext.triggers 1.0
com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib 2.3.0f2
com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily 1.8.9fc9
com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib 1.6
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP 2.2.5
com.apple.iokit.AppleBluetoothHCIControllerUSBTransport 4.0.9f8
com.apple.iokit.IOSurface 86.0.2
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily 4.0.9f8
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController 2.3.0f2
com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily 2.3.0f2
com.apple.driver.AppleSMC 3.1.3d11
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginLegacy 1.0.0
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily 5.2.0d16
com.apple.driver.AppleGraphicsControl 3.2.6
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklightExpert 1.0.4
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusController 1.0.10d0
com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport 2.3.4
com.apple.kext.AMD2600Controller 8.0.0
com.apple.kext.AMDSupport 8.0.0
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily 2.3.4
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver 5.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub 5.1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite 5.0.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIMultimediaCommandsDevice 3.5.1
com.apple.iokit.IOBDStorageFamily 1.7
com.apple.iokit.IODVDStorageFamily 1.7.1
com.apple.iokit.IOCDStorageFamily 1.7.1
com.apple.iokit.IOATAPIProtocolTransport 3.5.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily 3.5.1
com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime 1.6.1
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient 5.0.0
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily 4.5.5
com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family 500.15
com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily 3.0
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily 2.2.0
com.apple.iokit.IOATAFamily 2.5.1
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily 5.1.6
com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily 1.8.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily 1.1
com.apple.security.sandbox 220
com.apple.kext.AppleMatch 1.0.0d1
com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet 7
com.apple.driver.DiskImages 344
com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily 1.8
com.apple.driver.AppleKeyStore 28.18
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform 1.6
com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily 2.7
com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily 1.4
com.apple.kec.corecrypto 1.0

If you have upgraded the RAM, the likely cause is upgraded RAM or some other hardware issue. Sources of RAM caused KP's are:
Failed RAM
Incorrect RAM
Unseated RAM
Start by removing all upgraded RAM and replace with the original RAM the computer shipped with and then test. If they KP's disappear you know your issue is RAM related to the upgraded RAM.

Oops accidently erased recenty added playlist need help!!

i erased the recently added playlist and now its so annoing to have to look through my entire library for the songs that i downloaded. i need help!!

The recently added playlist is nothing more than a Smart Playlist where the only rule is to...
Limit to XX Items selected by Most Recently Added
where xx is how ever many you want to see and make sure you click the live updating button as well.
Patrick

Upgrading imacs? i need help

I want a new imac but i need to figure out which desktop macs i can upgrade later on in the future and to what extent.

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
I'm not sure what your questions is. If you are referring to replace hardware of the iMac, the only things you can replace are the memory and the hard drive. The other things are soldered onto the logic board and you won't be able to change them

I need to clean erase/install before selling

I have a flat-panel iMac that I'm selling to neighbors for their daughter's use. First, tell me is $200.00 too low an asking price? The specs are shown in my profile. Nothing is wrong except the mysterious sound issue, which I told them about and advised them to get external speakers. I was hoping to get closer to $400.00 as I saw many going for on Ebay with less capability than mine. (This machine has been a dream!) Do you recommend my getting the original, round Harmon Kardon speakers to accompany the computer for sale?
Secondly, I went to the Apple Store yesterday and the associate knew very little to provide me with assistance. In attempting to do a erase and install of the OS from Disk Utility, my computer is now stuck on a grey screen with apple logo in the middle; it looks like in classic OS9.
It was asking for the install disk and I had 5 disks given to me from the guy that sold it to me off Ebay. I didn't know which one to insert so I chose "OS9" first. That's what put it in its current state.
After trying to backup or save items that I wanted to keep (iTunes library, documents, movies) I gave up and decided to sacrifice them all because the blank DVDs that I was using kept giving me error messages.
I have read here to: "Put your install disk in your Mac and Restart while holding down the C key." What should be on the screen when you put the install disk in?
"Click on Disk Utility and choose the hard drive you want your OS on." How do I know which HD to choose?"
Do I need to take this computer back to Apple or can I restore this myself?

The original Harmon Kardon speakers are hard to find and not compatible with many newer Macs but they do have good quality. If you got them, it would prove once and for all if the problem is with the sound chip on your computer, or just the speaker that is built-in, or some setting. My FAQ* explains how to prepare a Mac for selling:
http://www.macmaps.com/selling.html
Apple may have the correct install disks, if you misplaced yours. Give their AppleCare office a call.
- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.

Intel iMac sleep problem, need help !

My 17" Intel iMac has sleep problem past few days.
I use the Ctrl+Eject on the keyboard to put my iMac to sleep and it only needs 3 to 5 sec before.
But now I use same method, it got 30 sec. to sleep; same result thru Apple menu>sleep.
Used Onyx & repair permissions, still no change.
Anyone know what's the problem, how to fix it?
Plz help!
Thx!

Danlam,
A simple SMC (System Management Controller) reset is known to resolve a lot of sleep/wake related issues.
Here's how to do the reset:
- From the Apple menu, choose Shut Down (or if the computer is not responding, hold the power button until it turns off).
- Unplug all cables from the computer, including the power cord and any display cables.
- Wait at least 15 seconds.
- Plug the power cord back in, making sure the power button is not being pressed at the time.
-Then reconnect your keyboard and mouse to the computer.
- Press the power button on the back to start up your computer.
Follow this link to the Apple Article that describes the SMC and how to reset it in more detail: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303446
Hope this helps you out.

Windows 7 on iMAC 27" , I need help in the decision please?

Hi All,
I just got the iMAC 27" i7 with 4GB RAM and planning to upgrade to 8GB soon. I need to install Windows, but as I heard that BOOTCAMP supports vista and windows 7 is not officially supported,
should i go for vista?
or try to install windows 7? what are the issues?
* If windows 7, should I go to Windows 7 64bit & why?
I do really need some guidance in this one....

Hi and welcome to Discussions,
Apples BootCamp lets you install a 32-bit Windows XP with at least SP2 or Windows Vista onto an Intel-based Mac.
And 64-bit Windows Vista on these Macs http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1846
Windows 7 support is currently in the pipeline.
See the Tech Specs of BootCamp here http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1899
And the announcement of Windows 7 support http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3920
Personally I use XP 32-bit and never had any problem.
I avoided Vista since I don't need it and therefor see no reason to shell out money for it.
Quite a lot of people have already installed Windows 7 even without official support from Apple.
The hatter has an ongoing thread full of helpful tips about Windows 7 http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1866970&tstart=15
With the 8GB RAM you plan to get I would suggest the 64-bit version of Windows 7, since with 32-bit Windows you won't be able to use all the RAM.
Regards
Stefan

IMac trouble login - need help badly

I need real big help here. My wife iMac decided to act up this morning, out of no reason. She didn't download and anything from website or new apps. This is what happening now.
As usual, we type in the password and click login. It started as normal and show the desktop but almost immediately (2 seconds), it goes back to the same login password screen. We type the password again and again and it does the samething. We restart same thing. We shut down and let it sit and start again, same thing.
Now, we have so many important files and memories in this machine!!! Can anyone advise how we can get it started again normally without reinstallation?
MANY THANKS.

If you have the install disc, boot from it and use
Disk Utility
   1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc that came with your computer, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
   2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
      Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.
   3. Click the First Aid tab.
   4. Click the disclosure triangle to the left of the hard drive icon to display the names of your hard disk volumes and partitions.
   5. Select your Mac OS X volume.
   6. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk.
Then reboot from your internal drive and repair permissions.

I am having trouble installing and using remote desktop client and admin on the same imac. I need help?

Can you give me a step by step on getting the client and the admin part of remote desktop to work? I am new to this and I need for remote desktop to work to install the Faronics Deepfreeze enterprise console on the new imac in office. The OSx version is 10.8.3 Any help will be greatly appreciated. Also, when I go to install the admin, it says that the remote desktop client is not updated and I cant get mac app store to show any updates. May be doing something wrong.

This is what I usualy do to setup ARDclient on a client computer.
on the client computer
go to menu bar (white bar at top of the screen)
click on the apple menu
chose system preferences
click show all button
click Users & Groups
click the lock to unlock
click + to create a new account
chose new account: type "administrator"
name the user some thing applicable like "ARDuser"
set a secure password
click create account
click show all button
click sharing
set the computer name to some thing descritpive that identifies the computer
check remote login
click on remote login
set allow access for: "only these users"
click the +
chose the ARDuser from the list
click select
check remote management
click on remote management
set allow access to "only these users"
click the +
select the ARDuser from the list
click select
check: observe, control, genereate reports, open & quite applications, delete and replace items, start text chat or send messages, restart & shutdown, copy items
click ok
click the lock to lock system preferences
click show all
quite system preferences
At this point you should be able to connect to the client using Apple Remote Desktop using the ARDuser setup above. Make sure the client and the ARD computer are on the same network the same way. IE both on ethernet or both on wifi. On the same internet conenction, if your were trying to conenct to a client over the internet there is more involved.
on the ard computer:
open apple remote desktop
from the left column select discover
make sure the list is set to bonjour
the client computer should show up on the list, with the name set above
select the client from the list
click control
you will be prompted for the user/pass to log into the computer. that's the ARDuser setup in the steps above.

Virtualization on an iMac. I need help.

I have an iMac running 10.6.2. Can anybody tell me if it's possible to run Parallels Desktop or Virtual Box software with another Mac system - OS X 10.4. I can't seem to get any help from their respective sites. I have tried vmware but they are not answering my e-mails. It's very frustrating. I hope someone here knows the answer

mobabs wrote:
Sadly, it was an iMac that was running Tiger, and it died. The drive (with the system software) is all OK but I have nothing to use it in. I don't think I can load the Tiger disks on my very old G4, as they are iMac install disks. Unfortunately the iMac 10.6.2 wasn't planned for, hence these teething problems.
Thanks for you help. Hopefully I can get something sorted - somehow
Do you actually need to run some apps that won't run under 10.6? Or do you just need access to the files? If the files, you could just put the hard drive in an external case and attach to the new Mac. If you want to run apps that don't work in 10.6, then perhaps you can find a used Mac. For example: http://www.geeks.com/products_sc.asp?cat=810

I am interested in an iMac 20" but need help

I was looking into getting a new computer because the PC i have is a bit old and a bit unstable. I checked out dell because i like to play games like WoW and HL2 and BF2 and that stuff. My question is would those games run well on the windows side of my iMac if i were to install bootcamp and when i wanted to play a game boot into windows and play. in WoW's case i guess i could run it on the apple side, has anyone done that yet? does it run better on the intel chip than on the G5s? thanks for the help

I know from experience that WoW works great in OSX native. My copy with 4 cds from Amazon.com included both the Windows and Mac versions. I never tried it on a G5, Intel runs flawlessly though. (If only my dorm's network connection worked at 10pm when everyone is on it). I've also tried Boot Camp to install Windows. It works great, and I've played WoW on it too. Works fine, but some of the keys are strange because Windows keyboards have the alt and control in different places than Mac. Other than that, I know that game works greatly. Couldn't tell you about the other 2 games you mentioned, I've never played those.
Hope that helps!
Imac Intel Core Duo 1.86 Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Acquired a 2007 Imac 5,1 - need help

I have been given a 2007 Imac after my old work office closed down. I am a Newbie to macs so am a bit lost.
Its an Imac 5,1
Intel Core 2 Duo processor
2.16GHz
Memory 1GB
Operating OS X 10.4.11
I dont think it runs as fast as it should. Probably has alot of old files on it as it was the artists computer.
I'd like to make it work as well as possible and get all the latest software etc.
Please can someone kindly advise where I should start? Bear in mind i'm a novice!!
It has photoshop and AI which I'd like to keep if possible.

Linzer wrote:
Ok I agree I will wipe it clean.
I have the original disks but I think I should upgrade to the newer OS anyway. Can i get Lion or is Snow leopard my only option?
Do I have to do anything to wipe it or will that happen when I install the new OS?
I have the disks for photoshop and AI so I can just put these back on with the new OS right?
How do I get more RAM? I am a bit of a novice regarding this - it says it has 1GB memory on the "about this computer" menu, but then says it has 198GB free disk space in another menu??
Thanks
You can upgrade to Lion as long as the system meets the system requirements which are:
Mac OS X Lion System Requirements
In order to install Mac OS X 10.7 you will need:
Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, or Xeon processor
2GB of RAM (4GB recommended)
Mac OS X 10.6.6 or later with the Mac App Store installed (10.6.8 recommended)
At least 4GB of additional disk space to accommodate the download, but more is obviously recommended
Note that it says 10.6.6 (SL) as a requirement so if you want to get to Lion then yes you must first upgrade to SL. Also note that old PPC (Power PC) based applications will not run on Lion. They must be replaced or upgraded first. The types of apps that will run are Intel & Universal. You can easily tell what your applications are by running System Profiler (Applications - Utilities - System Profiler) or click Spotlight (the little magnifying glass in the upper right) and type System Profiler. Once in SP then click Applications on the left and look at the Kind column, it will list all the apps and state Intel, Universal or PPC.
Upgrading RAM is incredibly easy, to find the correct RAM and how much can be installed in your iMac contact www.macsales.com (OWC) or Crucial. I prefer OWC because they specialize in Macs, have terrific service including how-to videos on how to install the RAM and excellent prices. Crucial is great too however if I gave OWC an A+ I could only rank Crucial as an A, still excellent just not quite as excellent.

Major imac blueberry problem, need help

Hi, someone came to me with an imac that had a black screen. I hooked it up to a monitor and was able to see the HD and it seemed that they had updated the software to OSX and I suspect not the firmware. I tried checking using OS9 and the imac starts to come on and then immediately stops, spins up for 5 seconds and then shuts down. if I press the start button on the front the light will come on but nothing happens. Is there a way to get this machine to come on and stay on long enough to update the firmware? I have the external monitor plugged in but nothing happens, it doesn't stay on long enough to do anything. I've reset the power manager but no luck.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
derek

Hey Derek,
Yup sounds like the classic firmware trap. Here's the classic site to solve the problem:
http://www.gileskennedy.com/panthereatsimac
good luck.
Richard

Deleting everything before selling my iMac

What should I do to remove all personal information from my 4 year old iMac before selling it? Many thanks Alistair

Insert your install disk, go to Disk Utility and erase the internal drive. The seven pass erase should be good enough. You can then use the install disk to install the OS that came with your iMac and none of your personal information will be left.

Need help with buying graphics card and ram for MSI 865PE NEO 2-V

Hi,
I want to buy 1GB of ram for motherboard MSI 865PE NEO 2-V I need help with finding correct parts.
I also want to buy 512Mb or 1GB graphics card.
as i said before i need help with finding correct ones so they match motherboard, I would appreciate if any one would post link to cheap and fitting parts.
I found graphics card allready, i just need to know if it will fit.
the card is
NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS (512 MB) AGP Graphics Card
Thanks for help.

here you can see test reports for your mobo:
http://www.msi.com/product/mb/865PE-Neo2-V.html#?div=TestReport

Erasing iMac before selling. Need Help.

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for