How do I erase my computer?

How do I erase my 2009 MacBook Pro? I am selling it this morning and want everything deleted. Thanks!

You get the original system install DVD that came with the Mac (probably carrying Snow Leopard), put it in the drive and boot from it by holding down the C key prior to the startup chime.
When running, search menus for Disk Utility, use that to Erase the Macintosh HD volume. Quit Disk Utility. Then run the OS installer to place a fresh and blank copy of the OS that Mac was entitled to before selling it. Turn it off, rather than restarting, when the install finishes.
That way, the new owner will be able to do a First Start and set it up to their liking. Hand over the Install DVD with the Mac.

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How do I erase my computer to factory settings?

How do I erase my computer to factory settings? I bought a new Macbook Pro and I'm selling my old Macbook and need to get everything off of it. The operating system is 10.6.8, and I don't have the system discs.

Youcan order a Snow Leopard 10.6 install disk for $29. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A?mco=MTY3ODQ5OTY
Put your install DVD into the optical drive and reboot. As soon as you hear the boot chime, hold down the "c" key on your keyboard (or the Option key until the Install Disk shows up). That will force your MacBook to boot from the install DVD in the optical drive.
When it does start up, you'll see a panel asking you to choose your language. Just press the Return key on your keyboard once. It will then present you with an Installation window. Completely ignore this window and click on Utilities in the top menu and scroll down to Disk Utility and click it. You should see your hard drive in the left hand column along with your other drives. Click on the drive and select the Erase tab. Set the format value to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and click the Erase button. After that has finished select the Partition tab. Type in a Name for your hard drive and select how many partitions you want from the Volume Scheme. The usual setting is one partition. Click on the Options button after you've selected apartition to make sure it's set for GUID. Then click the Apply button and after the Partitioning is done quit Disk Utility. You can now follow the instructions on the install screen

HOW DO YOU ERASE YOUR COMPUTER COMPLETELY

hi,
im wondering if anyone has answers to erase my computer completely. I am currently using Mac OSX Panther and want to erase everything in order to install the updated Tiger.

There is no need to erase the hard drive just to install Tiger.
However, if that is what you want to do... First back up all of your important files. Then boot off the Tiger disc, start the installer, and select the option to 'erase and install'.

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.

How do I erase my computer and backup to a Seagate 1TB hard drive?

I have a macbook pro that is about 4 years old. I would like to back up it up to a Seagate 1 tb hard drive but I am a bit nervous I am going to mess it up. I would also like to erase my whole computer afterwards and start fresh (so to speak). Any thoughts on how to do this? Would it be beneficial? Would my computer perform faster? Should I just take it somewhere to do this or am I capable?
Thanks for your input. I tried Timemachine and I didn’t like how it was backing things up... my computer was too slow to access them.
Take care,
D

EtreCheck version: 2.0.11 (98)
Report generated November 26, 2014 4:16:10 PM EST
Hardware Information: ℹ️
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) (Verified)
MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro6,2
1 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 2-core
4 GB RAM
BANK 0/DIMM0
2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok
BANK 1/DIMM0
2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok
Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported
Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n
Video Information: ℹ️
NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M - VRAM: 256 MB
Color LCD 1440 x 900
Intel HD Graphics - VRAM: 288 MB
System Software: ℹ️
Mac OS X 10.7.5 (11G63) - Uptime: 7 days 9:34:33
Disk Information: ℹ️
Hitachi HTS545032B9SA02 disk0 : (320.07 GB)
S.M.A.R.T. Status: Verified
disk0s1 (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
Recovery HD (disk0s3) /Volumes/Recovery HD [Recovery]: 650 MB (98 MB free)
MATSHITADVD-R   UJ-898
USB Information: ℹ️
Seagate BUP Slim Mac SL 1 TB
S.M.A.R.T. Status: Verified
disk2s1 (disk2s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
Boot OS X (disk2s3) <not mounted> : 134 MB
Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
Apple Internal Memory Card Reader
Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub
Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Apple Inc. Built-in iSight
Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
Kernel Extensions: ℹ️
/System/Library/Extensions
[not loaded] com.leapfrog.driver.LfConnectDriver (1.0.1) Support
[loaded] com.seagate.driver.PowSecDriverCore (5.2.6 - SDK 10.4) Support
/System/Library/Extensions/Seagate Storage Driver.kext/Contents/PlugIns
[not loaded] com.seagate.driver.PowSecLeafDriver_10_4 (5.2.6 - SDK 10.4) Support
[loaded] com.seagate.driver.PowSecLeafDriver_10_5 (5.2.6 - SDK 10.5) Support
[not loaded] com.seagate.driver.SeagateDriveIcons (5.2.6 - SDK 10.4) Support
Startup Items: ℹ️
HP IO: Path: /Library/StartupItems/HP IO
Startup items are obsolete and will not work in future versions of OS X
Problem System Launch Agents: ℹ️
[failed] com.apple.coreservices.appleid.authentication.plist
Problem System Launch Daemons: ℹ️
[running] com.seagate.TBDecorator.plist Support
Launch Agents: ℹ️
[not loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist Support
[running] com.adobe.AdobeCreativeCloud.plist Support
[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist Support
[loaded] com.hp.help.tocgenerator.plist Support
[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist Support
[running] com.rosettastone.rosettastonedaemon.plist Support
Launch Daemons: ℹ️
[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist Support
[loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist Support
[loaded] com.leapfrog.connect.shell.plist Support
[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist Support
[loaded] com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist Support
[running] com.perion.searchprotectd.plist Support
[loaded] jp.co.canon.MasterInstaller.plist Support
User Launch Agents: ℹ️
[loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist Support
[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist Support
[invalid?] com.jdibackup.ZipCloud.autostart.plist Support
[loaded] jp.co.canon.Inkjet_Extended_Survey_Agent.plist Support
User Login Items: ℹ️
Monitor UNKNOWNHidden (missing value)
iTunesHelper UNKNOWN (missing value)
AdobeResourceSynchronizer Application (/Applications/Adobe Reader.app/Contents/Support/AdobeResourceSynchronizer.app)
Safari Application (/Applications/Safari.app)
TuneupMyMac UNKNOWN (missing value)
HP Scheduler Application (/Library/Application Support/Hewlett-Packard/Software Update/HP Scheduler.app)
Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.38.6.0 - SDK 10.8 Support
OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.3.6 Support
Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 3.0.0.104 BETA - SDK 10.8 Support
AdobeAAMDetect: Version: AdobeAAMDetect 2.0.0.0 - SDK 10.7 Support
FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 15.0.0.239 - SDK 10.6 Support
Silverlight: Version: 5.1.20125.0 - SDK 10.6 Support
Flash Player: Version: 15.0.0.239 - SDK 10.6 Support
iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0
googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.38.6.0 - SDK 10.8 Support
QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.1
CouponPrinter-FireFox_v2: Version: Version 1.1.9 - SDK 10.5 Support
EPPEX Plugin: Version: 10.0 Support
JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 51 Check version
User Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
TroviNPAPIPlugin: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.9 Support
Safari Extensions: ℹ️
searchExt-1
Trovi Search for Safari
3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️
Flash Player Support
Flip4Mac WMV Support
Java Support
Seagate Dashboard for Mac OSX Support
Time Machine: ℹ️
Time Machine not configured!
Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️
      4% WindowServer
      2% Rosetta Stone TOTALe
      0% Creative Cloud
      0% ps
      0% WebProcess
Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️
378 MB WebProcess
202 MB Mail
146 MB Safari
125 MB Rosetta Stone TOTALe
94 MB Finder
Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️
531 MB Free RAM
2.18 GB Active RAM
557 MB Inactive RAM
891 MB Wired RAM
682 MB Page-ins
1 MB Page-outs

HT201274 How do I erase all content and settings on my ipod touch when I don't have my password or the original computer? I can't figure this out and it is frustrating me. I need to completely reset my ipod touch. I think it is in dfu mode now

How do I erase all the content and settings on my 8GB ipod touch without the password or the original computer? This is very frustrating and I think I have it in the DFU mode. I can't seem to figure out how to completely restore this ipod touch. Please help.

Did you get a message in iTunes that said iTunes found an iPod in recovery mode? If not then you might have not gotten the iPod in recovery mode. Try using this program to get the iPod in recovery mode:
RecBoot: Easy Way to Put iPhone into Recovery Mode

How can I erase a photo album that was uploaded from an old computer that I don't have no more? I have other albums in the Iphone that I don't want to delete.

How can I erase a photo album that was uploaded from an old computer that I don't have no more? I have other albums in the Iphone that I don't want to delete.

If you sync with the new computer it will erase the current content from the iphone and replace with the selected content of the new computer.
The pics that you have taken with the iphone should be imported regularly to your computer as you would with any digital camera. You can then organize them and sync them back to the iphone if you wish.
If you have had itunes perform a backup on the new computer, you should get the pics taken with the iphone back, but I would import them before trying anything.

I installed lion from the internet, i wanted all the stuff on it erased but it didnt do it, how do i get my computer to factory settings so it is like it was new just with a fresh copy of lion on it

i installed lion from the internet, i wanted all the stuff on it erased but it didnt do it, how do i get my computer to factory settings so it is like it was new just with a fresh copy of lion on it

Music is not included in the backup (and nor are films or tv shows), only the contents of third-party apps are included. Did you not do File > Transfer Purchases when connected to your computer's iTunes to copy your iTunes purchases over, and/or have you not got a backup copy of your music somewhere e.g. on an external drive ?

How do I erase the "other" files that are occupying my computer

I already deleted pics, music, etc and I am ready to continue to delete unnecessary files. How should I erase the "other" files that are in my computer. Please, advice. Thanks

For information about the Other category in the Storage display, see this support article. If the Storage display seems to be inaccurate, try rebuilding the Spotlight index.
Empty the Trash if you haven't already done so. If you use iPhoto, empty its internal Trash first:
iPhoto ▹ Empty Trash
Do the same in other applications, such as Aperture, that have an internal Trash feature. Then restart the computer. That will temporarily free up some space.
According to Apple documentation, you need at least 9 GB of available space on the startup volume (as shown in the Finder Info window) for normal operation—not the mythical 10%, 15%, or any other percentage. You also need enough space left over to allow for growth of the data. There is little or no performance advantage to having more available space than the minimum Apple recommends. Available storage space that you'll never use is wasted space.
See this support article for some simple ways to free up storage space.
You can more effectively use a tool such as OmniDiskSweeper (ODS) or GrandPerspective (GP) to explore the volume and find out what's taking up the space. You can also delete files with it, but don't do that unless you're sure that you know what you're deleting and that all data is safely backed up. That means you have multiple backups, not just one. Note that ODS only works with OS X 10.8 or later. If you're running an older OS version, use GP.
Deleting files inside an iPhoto or Aperture library will corrupt the library. Any changes to a photo library must be made from within the application that created it. The same goes for Mail files.
Proceed further only if the problem isn't solved by the above steps.
ODS or GP can't see the whole filesystem when you run it just by double-clicking; it only sees files that you have permission to read. To see everything, you have to run it as root.
Back up all data now.
If you have more than one user account, make sure you're logged in as an administrator. The administrator account is the one that was created automatically when you first set up the computer.
Install the app you downloaded in the Applications folder as usual. Quit it if it's running.
Triple-click anywhere in the corresponding line of text below on this page to select it, then copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C:
sudo /Applications/OmniDiskSweeper.app/Contents/MacOS/OmniDiskSweeper
sudo /Applications/GrandPerspective.app/Contents/MacOS/GrandPerspective
Launch the built-in Terminal application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the icon grid.
Paste into the Terminal window by pressing command-V. You'll be prompted for your login password, which won't be displayed when you type it. Type carefully and then press return. You may get a one-time warning to be careful. If you see a message that your username "is not in the sudoers file," then you're not logged in as an administrator. Ignore any other messages that appear in the Terminal window.
The application window will open, eventually showing all files in all folders, sorted by size. It may take a few minutes for the app to finish scanning.
I don't recommend that you make a habit of doing this. Don't delete anything as root. If something needs to be deleted, make sure you know what it is and how it got there, and then delete it by other, safer, means. When in doubt, leave it alone or ask for guidance.
When you're done with the app, quit it and also quit Terminal.

I think i have a virus on my Macbook Pro, OS X Yosemite, how do i wipe my computer clean without erasing photos and music etc?

i think i have a virus on my Macbook Pro, OS X Yosemite, how do i wipe my computer clean without erasing photos and music etc?

The update alerts are fake, and are intended to dupe you into installing malware or disclosing private information so that your identity can be stolen.
You might get the alerts when visiting a website that has been hacked. Don't visit the site again. If applicable, notify the site administrator of the problem, but don't send email to an unknown party.
If you get the alerts when visiting more than one well-known website, such as Google, YouTube, or Facebook, then they may be the result of an attack on your router that has caused you to get false results from looking up the addresses of Internet servers. Requests sent to those sites are redirected to a server controlled by the attacker. It's possible, but less likely, that the DNS server used by your ISP has been attacked.
Back up all data.
Unlock the Network preference pane, if necessary, by clicking the lock icon in the lower left corner and entering your password. Cllck Advanced, open the DNS tab, and change the server addresses to the following:
          8.8.8.8
          8.8.4.4
That's Google DNS. Click OK, then Apply.
In Safari, select
          Safari ▹ Preferences... ▹ Privacy ▹ Remove All Website Data
and confirm. If you’re using another browser, empty the cache. Test. If the fake update alerts stop, see below. Otherwise, ask for instructions.
The router's documentation should tell you how to reset it to the factory default state. Usually there's a pinhole switch somewhere in the back. It may be labeled "RESET." Insert the end of a straightened paper clip or a similar tool and press the button inside for perhaps 15 seconds, or as long as the instructions specify.
After resetting the router, quit the web browser and relaunch it while holding down the shift key. From the Safari menu bar, select
          Safari ▹ Preferences... ▹ Privacy ▹ Remove All Website Data
and confirm. Do the equivalent if you use another browser. Open the Downloads folder and delete anything you don't recognize.
Then go through the router's initial setup procedure. I can't be specific, because it's different for every model. The key points are these:
1. Don't allow the router to be administered from the WAN (Internet) port, if it has that option. Most do.
2. Set a strong password to protect the router's settings: at least ten random upper- and lower-case letters and digits. Don't use the default password or any other that could be guessed. Save the password in your keychain. Any password that you can remember is weak.
3. If the router is wireless, or if you have a wireless access point on the network, use "WPA 2 Personal" security and set a different strong password to protect the network. If the router or access point doesn't support WPA 2, it's obsolete and must be replaced.
During the time the router was compromised, you were redirected to bogus websites. If you ever connected to a secure site and got a warning from your browser that the identity of the server could not be verified, and you dismissed that warning in order to log in, assume that your credentials for the site have been stolen and that the attacker has control of the account. This warning also applies to all websites on which you saw the fake update alerts.
Check the router manufacturer's website for a firmware update.
If you downloaded and installed what you thought was a software update, ask for instructions.

In disk utility, below Macintosh HD I have 4 trojan "decryptedFile.dmg (flash player)" and my computer is super slow, does erasing Macintosh HD will also erase these files? If not how can I erase? (bear in mind computer so slow a click takes forever)

in disk utility, below Macintosh HD I have 4 trojan "decryptedFile.dmg (flash player)" and my computer is super slow, does erasing Macintosh HD will also erase these files? If not how can I erase? (bear in mind computer so slow a click takes forever)

Thank you Thomas in fact I have seen your guide before and had gone thru the steps including repair disk which didn´t work. I am erasing disk before checking hardware. I have posted a photo of the 4 decrypted files in the disk utility and also of the adobe icons in the dock and question marks. Some people say if the adobe appears in the dock is because it is the trojan flash player and they keep jumping in the dock. If this is not malware it seems to be an incredible coincidence that when I start seeing these things in my dock and the decrypted files in my disk utility is when my computer goes so slow (I am typing this in my macbook air because to write this message in my imac would be about 6 hours, I am not kidding, it is completely useless at this point it took me 2 and half days too instal mac os x after disk repair, it took me 3 days to transfer just 100 gigabites and now is taking the whole day (and it says another day more) just to erase the disk. Despite all this the icon of adobe keeps jumping in the dock so, although I am no computer and mac expert, just an user, I am inclined to think that it is malware and it is a shame that mac doesnt´recognize it or have anything here to help me get rid of this. I am not even sure if erasing the disk will work since repairing didn´t work... all advice is welcomed.

HT1338 HOW can I erase an SD card from my computer?

HOW CAN I erase an SD card when in my computer after uploading what I wanted to save to computer?

Roger: That is a perfect description of how to properly and successfully eject or unmount an SD card, but I think the question is not that, but rather how to ERASE the files on the SD card, prior to ejection.
Freddied: I don't have a lot of experience with this, but I think it's possible to treat an SD card exactly as you would any other attached external drive. Thus, to erase what's on it, the steps I would take are this:
1. Prior to putting the SD card in, make sure your computer's existing Trash is empty. If it isn't currently empty, then empty it.
2. Put the SD card in.
3. Double click its icon to see a window of its contents.
4. Most likely (if the card is full of pictures from a camera) the files you want to erase are buried within various folders in a hierarchy created by the camera's OS. Burrow through the folders until you find the files you want to erase.
5. Drag the unwanted files to the Trash icon on your Dock or desktop, or alternately highlight them and hit Command-Delete.
6. Once you have found and thrown away all unwanted files, then choose "Empty Trash" from the Finder menu.
7. THEN follow the ejection procedure described by Roger above.
NOTE: It's probably not a good idea to just Trash and Erase everything on the SD card, because the files and folders on it are part of the hierarchy put there by the camera's OS, and if you mess it up, you'll likely have to reformat the card in your camera again.
Also NOTE: It's actually preferable to erase pictures off an SD card within the camera, not on your computer. What I do in your situation is to NOT erase files from the SD card while it is plugged into my computer, but rather later when it's back in the camera, using the camera's menus and whatever method that model uses to erase photos.
If, however, you are storing non-image non-camera files on your SD card, then use the steps I outlined above.
Hope this helps.

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

How do i erase my photos from my iphone with my computer?

how do i erase my photos from my iphone with my computer?

Plug in phone to computer and uncheck boxes for photos or albums you don't want synced in the Photo tab in iTunes.

How do i erase my information off of the computer

how do i erase my information from my computer

check this out
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3191
https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook_pro?view=documents

How do I erase my computer?

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