I need to 'clean up' my hard drive.

I have an early 2011 macbook pro. It went from having 150 gb of free space to being almost out of space in a matter of 4-5 months. I checked under 'about this mac' to see what could be taking up all of this space. My audio, movies, photos, and apps take up only about 100 gb of my 300 gb hard drive. Over 150 gb is taken by what it labels as 'other'. What in 'other' could be taking up this kind of space? Any help is great!
I have already used ccleaner, tidy up, app cleaner, and other basic things i found of the internet.

Hard drive space checkers
Disk Inventory X
OmniDiskSweeper
WhatSize
SpaceControl

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I have an old imac G3 desk top computer that I would like to donate. I need to clean up the hard drive. How do I do this?

I have an old imac G3 desk top computer that I would like to donate. I need to clean up the hard drive. HOw do I do this?

If you have a Mac OS 8.x or 9.x CD (depending on the iMac model), look for a Drive Setup utility somewhere on that disc. Boot from the CD while holding down the C key. Initialise the hard disk with a 'Zero all data' option chosen.
Jan

I need to clean my computer hard drive

my computer is slow and gets pop ups all the time and closes programs. how do i clean it?

There is no need to download anything to solve this problem.
You may have installed one or more of the common types of ad-injection malware. Follow the instructions on this Apple Support page to remove it. It's been reported that some variants of the "VSearch" malware block access to the page. If that happens, start in safe mode by holding down the shift key at the startup chime, then try again.
Back up all data before making any changes.
One of the steps in the article is to remove malicious Safari extensions. Do the equivalent in the Chrome and Firefox browsers, if you use either of those. If Safari crashes on launch, skip that step and come back to it after you've done everything else.
If you don't find any of the files or extensions listed, or if removing them doesn't stop the ad injection, ask for further instructions.
Make sure you don't repeat the mistake that led you to install the malware. It may have come from an Internet cesspit such as "Softonic" or "CNET Download." Never visit either of those sites again. You might also have downloaded it from an ad in a page on some other site. The ad would probably have included a large green button labeled "Download" or "Download Now" in white letters. The button is designed to confuse people who intend to download something else on the same page. If you ever download a file that isn't obviously what you expected, delete it immediately.
Malware is also found on websites that traffic in pirated content such as video. If you, or anyone else who uses the computer, visit such sites and follow prompts to install software, you can expect more of the same, and worse, to follow. Never install any software that you downloaded from a bittorrent, or that was downloaded by someone else from an unknown source.
In the Security & Privacy pane of System Preferences, select the General tab. The radio button marked Anywhere should not be selected. If it is, click the lock icon to unlock the settings, then select one of the other buttons. After that, don't ignore a warning that you are about to run or install an application from an unknown developer.
Still in System Preferences, open the App Store or Software Update pane and check the box marked
Install system data files and security updates (OS X 10.10 or later)
or
Download updates automatically (OS X 10.9 or earlier)
if it's not already checked.

Need To Clean Erase My Hard Drive And Re-Install OS and Factory Software

I have a question. I am needing to erase then reinstall the OS and software that came with this Sep 2008 Macbook Pro. I am selling it and want to wipe out all my personal and work related data files I have created, and do a thorough erase. Then, with the disks that came with it I want to re-install the OS and the factory installed software. Does anyone have a link to the steps from Apple on how to accomplish this, and any do's and don'ts to help keep me out of trouble? Am replacing it with a new 15" MBP for work.
Thanks much in advance.
Reed

This is the way I prepare old machines that came with OS X installed, which allows them to act just like one from the factory. First, boot with the Apple Hardware Test disk that came with the machine, run the extended tests, and make sure everything passes. Then, boot with the restore disk(s) that came with the machine (holding down the C key until you get a screen), erase and zero the HD. When that's finished, reformat it Mac OS Extended, install the OS 9 drivers (if the machine can boot into OS 9), and then restore the software.
See
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=31086 and
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301408 for restoring details.
When finished, click on the restart button, holding down the CMD+S keys. This puts the machine into single-user mode and gives you an Unix command line terminal screen. When the text stops scrolling, type in this command and click the return key:
*shutdown -h now*
This shuts down the computer; the next time it is turned on, the Setup Assistant will appear and the new user will get to personalize it. This also alleviates the necessity of presetting any display parameters, internet and e-mail settings, etc. As long as the monitor can hook up to the machine, the OS will select a usable resolution and the user can use the Display prefpane to suit their needs. They'll also have to run Software Update and bring everything up to the latest version.
Do note that you should also include all software disks and manuals that came with the machine. If there are 3rd-party apps, you need to include those disks and manuals, but only for those you want to transfer to the new owner—keeping those on your new machine and the old one, most likely violates the terms of usage.
James Sedgwick says: "I'm simple so that's why I try and keep it simple, just boot off your OS X CD, zero the drive, and shutdown. The new owner will use the bundled CD(s) to set it up the way they want it, easy peasey."
To reset Leopard to the Setup Assistant, see http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=2007110800450816

I downloaded Lion on my iMac. It apparently cleaned out the hard drive. Nothing shows up from before. It looks like a brand new computer. It is backed up on Time machine. Any idea of why this happened and suggestions on restoring? Thanks.

I downloaded Lion on my 4 yr old iMac. The download stalled at the last minute so I clicked "CANCEL". When it was restarted, Lion was there, with no apparent option but to go ahead and install so I assumed it was okay. Didn't transfer data from "another computer" when prompted - assumed it would transfer from that computer. It apparently cleaned out the hard drive. It looks like a brand new computer. None of my apps, programs, files, or thousands of photos.   It is backed up on Time machine, but it's a sickening sight. Any idea why this happened and suggestions before restoring? Thanks.

I cannot find this 300GB "Backup" in the Finder, only in the Storage info when I check "About This Mac".
You are probably using Time Machine to backup your MacBook Pro, right? Then the additional 300 GB could be local Time Machine snapshots. Time Machine will write the hourly backups to the free space on your hard disk, if the backup drive is temporarily not connected. You do not see these local backups in the Finder, and MacOS will delete them, when you make a regular backup to Time Machine, or when you need the space for other data.
See Pondini's page for more explanation:   What are Local Snapshots?   http://pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html
I have restarted my computer, but the information remains the same. How do I reclaim the use of the 300GB? Why is it showing up as "Backups" when it used to indicate "Photos"? Are my photos safe on the external drive?
You have tested the library on the external drive, and so your photos are save there.
The local TimeMachine snapshot probably now contains a backup of the moved library. Try, if connecting your Time Machine drive will reduce the size of your local Time Machine snapshots.

Best way to clean out a hard drive.

I have a A505 S605 Satelite laptop with a hard drive full of junk. I would like to start over by cleaning out the hard drive completely. After the hard drive is cleaned out, I will install everything using the recovery disks that I got from the Geek Squad when I bought the computer.
What is the best way to get the hard drive wiped out? Thank you for your help.

Just back up the data you need to keep onto a usb thumb drive or usb external hard drive then run the Recovery Disk to restore the system to it's factory out of box state. IT will wipe the drive as part of the process leaving your system exactly as it came to from the factory. You don't need to delete anything first.
If you don't post your COMPLETE model number it's very difficult to assist you. Please try to post in complete sentences with punctuation, capitals, and correct spelling. Toshiba does NOT provide any direct support in these forums. All support is User to User in their spare time.

Clean out my hard drive

how do I clean up my hard drive on macbook pro? need more room. thank you.. life long pc user so am totally lost...

Have a Look at this Video...
http://macmost.com/what-to-do-when-your-hard-drive-is-full.html

What is the best app for cleaning up the hard drive?

What is the best app for cleaning up the hard drive?

No such application needed.
Leave 10 to 15% disk space free.
Restart once in a while.
Keep a backup, clone preferably.
If there is any problem with the disk, repair disk.
    Repair Disk
    Steps 1 through 7
    http://support.apple.com/kb/PH5836
Best.

What is the exact name of the cable I need to connect my old hard drive from my macbook pro (it has been taken out of the computer) to my new macbook pro? I need to transfer files from the old hard drive to the new computer.

What is the exact name of the cable I need to connect my old hard drive from my macbook pro, which has been removed from the computer, to my new macbook pro? I need to transfere files from the old hard drive to the new computer.

No eSATA to USB. Just a SATA/IDE to USB adapter. Google SATA/IDE to USB adapter and you will get tons of links to buy them. Most likely your local computer electronics store has them, although they might be more expensive buying locally than online.
I have several. You can get either USB 2, which what I recommend, or USB 3. USB is backward compatible so a USB 3 adapter will work on a USB 2 port and a USB 2 adapter will work on a USB 3 port. Backward compatible in both directions.
I suggest a USB 2 type because there have been some problems with certain USB 3 devices, the USB 3 interface used isn't all that good in those certain devices. USB 3 is still fairly new where as USB 2 has been around for over 10 years.
synghem wrote:
Thank you LowLuster,
At the apple store they said I needed an esata to usb wire. But looking at wires on line has been confusing. Is sata the same as esata? How do I know if I need a usb 3 or usb 2?

I need to move my old hard drive files to our new computer, how?

Hey I need to move my old hard drive files to our new computer. It is a SATA 3.5. Is it as simple as putting it in an enclosure and plugging it to new computer.
Can I do this at the start with the IMAC? I don't have the old computer, just the drive.

*Hi thresherman, Welcome* to Apple's Users Help Users Forums.
To go from PPC to intel the use of migration assistant is not the recommendation. The definitive solution is here from Kappy and a brody.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=435350
Good Luck, JP

I need to replace my laptop Hard drive. How do I get my iTunes off the old hard drive to an external so I can put it back on the new hard drive?

I need to replace my laptop Hard drive. How do I get my iTunes off the old hard drive to an external so I can put it back on the new hard drive?

Type move itunes library into the google serach bar.
It has always been very basic to always maintain abackup copy of your computer. Do you not have a backup copy?

HT201250 Do I need to partition my external hard drive if I'm using Time Machine and other storage?

I never used Time Machine before. I was storing select files on my external hard drive as well as using my libraries (IPhoto, ITune, IMovies) directly off of the external hard drive. That hard drive is giving me problems, so I bought a new one. I want to set up Time Machine on this one, but I also want to keep my active libraries on it. Do I need to partition the external hard drive?

You can partition the new drive, just don't make one of the partitons a TimeMachine drive, save a TM for a entire drive with more space than the boot drive as it saves "states" thus requires more room than most people expect.
I highly advise one drive to one drive for backups, and not placing too many backup eggs in one vulnerable hardware basket basically.
Drives are cheap, data is not. Hardware can fail just as often as software, so you need a multiple backup and storage stragedy to protect even against theft and fire.
Most commonly used backup methods

Do I need to keep my external hard drive connected at all times for time capsule?

Do I need to keep my external hard drive connected at all times for time capsule?

Hi,
I have a similar question. I have backed up my external hard drive through my computer, onto my TC. When I go into TM, it doesn't show the external hard drive unless it is connected to the computer. Can I access the info from the external hard drive that is on the TC if I don't have the hard drive plugged in? If so, how can I do that?
Thanks,
Bernadette

I need to locate my external hard drive

For days I have been trying to find my external hard drive on my new mac!!!! Why is this so hard? I really need documents off of my hard drive by tonight!!!!!!!

Is it plugged in and turned on? You don't tell us anything really, so I'll start by guessing you mean you cannot see it on the Desktop. Remember we are not there and cannot read your mind so you have to describe what you are doing so we get a picture. I'd recommend starting by openign Finder - Preferences - General and ensure you have EHD checked where it indicates what you can see on your desktop.

Need to install a second hard drive

Hi:
I have only 347 MB left on my one and only 233 GB internal hard drive and I need another. How many hard drives can I install on my machine and where is the best place to go for instructions on how to do it?.
Thanks
Dan Page

Hi Hatter:
OK here's my plan. I am sort of a chicken and like to do things in small and easy steps.
I have freed up 5 Gigs on the internal hard drive by moving some data off to an external drive, but leaving all my applications where they are.
That gets me out of trouble for now. Next I am buying the WD Caviar $70 640GB drive that you suggested and will put it in bay two.
When it's up and running I will clone the old drive over to my new drive, so that I can start the Mac from my new humungeous drive.
At this point I will install the dinky old drive in an FW case for safe keeping, I guess and buy another 650 gig drive for the now vacant bay.
Maybe some time down the line, I'll install the new bays, but I have a feeling that by that time APple will be offering a new Mac Gwhiz that I will be unable to refuse.
Does this all sound feasible?
Thanks for all your help and I will keep you posted.
Dan

I need to 'clean up' my hard drive.

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