Is there a way to erase data without reinstalling the system?

Hi
I have an old PowerMac G5 that I want to sell. I want to erase the hard drive, but I no longer have the system disks. Is there any way to erase the data without reinstalling the system?

Hi-
You could set up a new user (Administration) account, and then delete the old user account that has data related to it.
Once that is done, if you want a more secure elimination of the data (so it cannot be scavenged) clone the drive to a second drive, and then you can erase and write zeros to the first drive.
Reclone the cloned version back, and you should have a very clean, "fresh" system drive.
Use SuperDuper! for the cloning.
Mind you, I haven't tried that process, but I don't see why it wouldn't work.
Keep a copy of the system drive (backup), just in case......
Message was edited by: japamac

Similar Messages

HT1414 I just upgraded to an iPhone 5S and it is going haywire whenever I use it. Is there a way to resolve this without returning the phone?

I just upgraded to an iPhone 5S and it is going haywire whenever I use it. It will randomly open applications, send emails suddenly before I am finished writing them, and much more. Is there a way to resolve this without returning the phone?

Hi, jbgatch.
Thank you for visiting Apple Support Communities.
Our iOS devices use a capacitive touch screen and with it being winter in most places, a buildup of static electricity can cause the touch screen to act erratic. Start with closing all applications open in multitasking and power cycling the device. If using a screen protector, remove it and test without it installed. Some cases that include a screen protector can cause this issue as well. Try the remainder of the steps in the attached article below. If the issue persists, a restore as new may been needed. Make sure to backup your data prior to a restore.
iOS: Force an app to close
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5137
iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Troubleshooting touchscreen response
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1827
Cheers,
Jason H.

My ipod is stuck on do not disconnect, and it won't respond when plugged in to imac or wall. Is there a way to restart it without using the computer?

My ipod is stuck on do not disconnect, and it won't respond when plugged in to imac or wall. Is there a way to restart it without using the computer?

You can reset your iPod with these instructions: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1320

I want to download an app, but i can't because i have forgotten my security questions. Is there a way to change them without needing the old ones?

I want to download an app, but i can't because i have forgotten my security questions. Is there a way to change them without needing the old ones?

You need to ask Apple to reset your security questions; ways of contacting them include phoning AppleCare and asking for the Account Security team, clicking here and picking a method for your country, and filling out and submitting this form.
They wouldn't be security questions if they could be bypassed without Apple verifying your identity.
(103535)

Is there any way to use flash without all the bloated code?

I want to put a flash player on my site, however with dreamweaver the "insert movie" option puts a ton code in my markup to the point where i cant even tell what im looking at. Is there any way to use flash without all the bloat?

Yes and no. Some bloat as you call it is necessary to support all browsers. That said, this on-line tool takes your Flash code and converts it to valid XHTML Strict standards. In the process, the code is minimized a bit. Be sure to test in an XHTML Strict doc type page.
http://www.validifier.com/
Nancy O.
Alt-Web Design & A
Web | Graphics | Print | Media Specialists
http://alt-web.com/
http://twitter.com/altweb

Is there a way to import tracks without using the mouse in Logic Pro?

From the user manual:
You can import existing audio recordings by simply dragging them from the Media area, shown at the right of the Arrange window.
My question is: is there a way to do this without dragging it with a mouse? I'd like to use a shortcut to open a browse folder and select a file. The reason for this is that I am nearly blind and I can't use my mouse for dragging because I can't see it.
Thanks in advance.

Can't see the mouse pointer.. even if you increase it's size using the Accessibilites features in OS X's System preferences...?
http://www.wikihow.com/Change-a-Mouse-Pointer-Size-in-Mac-Os-X

Is there a way to install "apps" without using the store? (No Internet, intentionally)

We have an industrial control system that is
purposely cut off from the Internet for security purposes. We want to install the RDP app on tablets. Is there way to do this without an Internet connection? Has MS even considered such a scenario?

Hi,
We need the internet connection to install Store app, this is designed by default.
Since we need internet to logon with the Microsoft account and can't download the offline installer as desktop app from Windows Store.
Kate Li
TechNet Community Support

HT201065 is there a way to change adminstraters without reloading the OS?

Is it possible to changed administrators without reloading the complete OS

Even though giving it away, the below articles apply.
Selling old Mac
Selling old Mac (2)
Selling old Mac (3)
Selling old Mac (4) Apple support

Is there a way to change or add to the system sounds on my iPod touch 4g?

I was looking for a way to add or change the system sounds that are on my iPod. I use it with iTunes on my WinXP laptop, if that matters at all.
Thanks!

The sounds that are available for things like email, calendar, etc. I was hoping to add to the default selection of sounds that come standard on the device.

Is there a way to erase dates from photos? Smart fill option?

I had an old photo shop program that allowed me to circle the date or anything I wanted removed from the picture and it would smart fill with the background. Does this Adobe Photoshop Elements 13 do the same? If so, how?

Well, you can try making a selection>select>fill selection>content aware, but more likely you'll get better results with the spot healing brush or the clone stamp.

I've put my phone on silent and when it rings it's silent and doesn't vibrate which is what I want, but when I get a text it makes a beep noise but I want this to be silent too. How can I make it silent? Is there a way to do it without using the DND?

I want my phone to be completely silent. If I flick it on to wilent it doesn't vobrate when it rings which is great and it doesn't vibrate when a message comes through. However, it does beep when a text comes through which I don't want, plus I don't know why it beeps as that isn't my normal text tone anyway. But I just want it to be silent. I'm not too keen to use the DND function if I dont have too.

Options for when an iOS device gets locked because of forgotten passcode:
Restore (and reset passcode) on your device by connecting it to the last computer to which it was connected:
iTunes: Backing up, updating, and restoring iOS software - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414
If you cannot connect it to the computer to which the device was last connected (or the device was never connected to a computer) you will have to use recovery mode to completely reset the device, losing all data:
iOS: Unable to update or restore - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1808 - recovery mode (e.g., cannot connect to computer last used to sync device, iTunes still asks for a password)
If recovery does not work there's:
DFU mode: http://osxdaily.com/2010/12/04/ipad-dfu-mode/
How to put iPod touch / iPhone into DFU mode - http://geekindisguise.wordpress.com/2009/07/16/how-to-put-ipod-touch-iphone-into -dfu-mode/

Is there a way to install Photoshop without all the crap?

I noticed when installing the Adobe Photoshop CS6 trial, even if you check only the bare minimum number of checkboxes, it will still install tons of...crap.
e.g. Bridge, Camera Raw, Camera Raw Profile, Dynamic Link Media Server (seriously, does this sound like something anyone would want installed on their computer?), Extend Script Toolkit, Switchboard, etc.
Is there anyway to uninstall all that stuff?

Whoa man, calm down; relax. Why is this a most unfortunate first post? It's a serious and legitmate question. You're taking it as if I asked it to offend people.
I do use Photoshop for purposes that Illustrator might be better suited for, but that's my decision; and anyways, I'm more familiar with Photoshop.
The reason I dislike these certain parts is because I don't like having uncessary stuff installed on my computer, and I certainly don't want unecessary stuff running at start-up
...Which is exactly why I did infact disable those start-up entries and manually delete the stuff mentioned — namely, Bridge, Dynamic Link Media Server, etc. — from "Program Files" etc. And no, I did not break Photoshop or anything else (if it does break, you will be the first to know); so yes, I know perfectly well what I'm doing. I don't see how you managed to assume otherwise based off my first post.
So I asked this question in the first place because I was genuinely wondering if there was a more official way to remove that stuff (as opposed to manually deleting them). Obviously now I know there isn't, but would it have been so terrible if there was? It wouldn't hurt anyone (certainly not you), but people who didn't want something called "Dynamic Link Media Server" installed on their computer would only benefit. Obviously that's not happening anytime soon, but hey, if I knew that, I wouldn't have asked in the first place.
Thank you for your insightful and not-at-all-condescending response.

Is there a way to receive emails without keeping the Mail app running?

I tried looking under a few places to change the notification options, but I can't seem to figure it out help!

You're not alone. It seems that there is a bug with push and Apple is not addressing the problem verbally.
There are a few options people are trying, but they only provide a temporary fix that will not last more than a few hours.
e.g. Reset network, delete account/hard reset, turn push off/on in a specific order.
All we can do is report and wait, sorry.
Cheers

I keep getting error code -43 when i try to update my ipod Touch is there any way to update it without deleting the entire contents of my ipod?

error code -43

Maybe. See:
Error -43: Apple Support Communities
Error -43 in backup when upgrading to...: Apple Support Communities

Is there a way to enable icloud without having the ipod cause i lost it

i want to use find my phone can you enable icloud if i dont have my ipod

You can't enable it on the iPod to find it, if it's lost. Sure you can set up iCloud on your computer(as long as you have Lion), but it will do no good if you didn't set it up on your iPod BEFORE it got lost.

Is there a way to erase data without reinstalling the system?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for