How do i delete all personal info on my macbook air before i sell it?

I`m about to sell my macbook air and want to delete all personal info on the computer (pictures, files, music and so on) how do I do this? Want the computer to start as it did when it was new...
Regards
Kris

You don't mention the hardware configuration of the subject MBA.
Be aware, that if equipped with an SSD, the information on the disk is not "removed" by a simple re-format. Doing a zero-once on an SSD is not as good as on a hard drive, because of the way SSDs handle writing data.
While the information is not readily retrievable by a novice, it is nonetheless intact until overwritten.
I'm sure there are SSD experts here who can comment on just how to prepare an SSD for selling.
I do recognize that in some people's opinion, the concern is overemphasized.

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How do you wipe all personal info on a macbook but keep the applications on it?

So I am selling my early 2011 MacBook Pro and have been having a lot of trouble getting people to buy it at my asking price... So I was thinking of ways I can get it at the price I wanted and thought to use the software on the computer as a selling point. Well it worked and I have all of adobe CS5 on it along with Microsoft Office for mac and windows 7 as a partiition. Well I got a buyer who is interested primarily because of the software and I want to sell it but just keep the applications on it. What can I do to protect myself by getting rid of any personal information? Do I just go to my key chain and wipe it clean and wipe all my documents? The licensing for the applications won't be an issue for me so I don't care about that. I just want anything that was personally mine gone.

JgorinacR1 wrote:
What do you mean a 10.7 TimeMachine to a 10.6 system?
Well your migrating from something correct? A backup like TimeMachine is now all 10.7, so you can't use that to migrate backwards to 10.6 machine.
I wouldn't mind reinstalling Lion for the guy because mountain lion is comming out next month.. He would upgrade to that with his own apple ID.... Meaning it would no longer be tied to me/use one of my registrations for Lion correct??
Correct, if he upgrades to 10.8, Apple's records will show that it was him that upgraded the machine to 10.8, thus if the Feds ask Apple, that's the information they will tell them, so all ties to you will be severed.
However the Feds are not stupid and won't just rely upon one piece of information, but if files are created in your name with your personal information (like if you kept the programs on there) then they could be coming around asking questions as there is more evidence.
I know you keep saying to give the discs but I'm pretty sure they are boot legged.
Well then you certainly don't want to include those as you don't know who you are selling too, it could be the Feds and you'll go to jail for software theft, sued etc., over a few lousy hundred dollars.
You'd gladly pay $1000 to get out of jail that first night when Bubba is looking at you with love in his eyes.
As for miscrosoft office, I have the file that allowed me to download it (it was a volume licensed one I guess?) so there was no need for a serial number.
Are you sure? Microsoft funds some sort of anti-piracy organization that inspects businesses for compliance.
These applications are giving me $200 on the sale alone so its either $850 or $650...
Erase/install the machine with 10.7, drop your price and try selling it again with no software, then sell the 10.6.4+ disk seperately or as a paid addition to the 10.7 machine.
Some people don't want 10.6, others do. Some want both a Early 2011 AND 10.6 as they have a HUGE investment in PPC based software they don't want to give up, so they are looking for a Early 2011 with 10.6 like yours.
10.6 is the last OS X version on disk, so it's valuable,
I don't know where your trying to sell it , but try eBay with the combination.
10.7 Early 2011 Mac, just OS X Lion (no iLife)
x $$$ more for the 10.6 disks

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I am prepping my MacBook as a charity donation and want to remove all personal files from it.
Ideally the new owner has a new out of box experience.
I do not have a bootable OS CD.
How can I ensure all my personal information is removed from the system?
System Info:
MacBook3,1
Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.2GHz, 4M L2 Cache, 2GB 800MHz
Mac OS X 10.5.8 (9L30)
Appreciate any help on this front.
Thank you

To prepare it for sale you should follow these instructions:
What to do before selling or giving away your Mac
Some of the following will not be applicable to your version of OS X. Disregard references that don't apply.
In addition to the above:
If you enabled FileVault, disable it in System Preferences > Security & Privacy.
"Deauthorize" your iTunes account. Same for Audible if you have one.
System Preferences > iCloud > de-select "Back to My Mac" and "Find my Mac".
Sign out of iCloud. Select "Delete from Mac" when it appears.
Then:
Start your Mac with its original System Installation DVD (if your Mac shipped with one) or OS X Recovery (if it didn’t).
Remove any Open Firmware password if you created one: select Firmware Password Utility from the Utilities menu and remove it.
Select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
Remove any partitions you may have created.
Select the Mac's hard disk icon, then select the "Erase" tab.
Select the "Security Options" button and erase the disk.
The more "securely" you erase the disk, the longer it will take. The fastest method is sufficient since all but the most expensive techniques and equipment will be able to recover securely erased data.
When it finishes, quit Disk Utility.
Select Install Mac OS X from the Utilities menu. Do not create any user accounts.
When it finishes, shut down the computer.
If you want to install the bundled apps that were included with your Mac, restart by using your Applications DVD and install the bundled apps.
Don't forget to include any DVDs that came with your iMac, your AppleCare certificate if you bought it, printed documentation, even the box if you still have it.
Execute a bill of sale showing the Mac's serial number.
Once no longer in your possession, remove the Mac from your devices in My Support Profile.
Ideally the new owner has a new out of box experience.
I do not have a bootable OS CD.
You will require one to accomplish the above, and its new owner will need it for a variety of reasons. Obtain a replacement from Apple. The cost is reasonable ($25 or so). You will require the MacBook's serial number: MacBook: How to find the serial number

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Sorry for the newbie question.
I just bought a new MBP and sold my old one. I want to leave the installed apps on my old MBP (running 10.5.7) but make sure that all of my personal info, data, etc. is gone.
I'm not familiar enough with accounts on a Mac (I've never gone through the process of deleting one) but will the following accomplish what I want to do?:
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http://www.ehow.com/how_5852122_restore-imac-factory-settings.html
http://www.macworld.com/article/158670/2011/03/prepare_sell_mac.html

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How do i delete all personal info on my macbook air before i sell it?

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