Need to sell my G5, but need to wipe it clean first. How do I do it?

Question

I've already backed up all of my files to an external HD and I want to make sure everything is wiped clean before I put this up for sale. I'm assuming I just reload the startup disks and that will reboot everything from scratch. True?

Answer 1

Hi Clueless21, and a warm welcome to the forums!
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc that came with your computer or are including in the sale, 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 Erase 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. Highlight the drive, select Partition Tab, then Format type... MacOS Extended Journalled, select the Security Options button, choose Zero Out Data, Erase... after completion hopefully you'll be able to install a fresh copy... turn it off when it reboots to the initial setup & let the new owner fill in all that stuff.