Resetting iMac for new owner

I have a 24" iMac with Lion on it... I have a Time Machine Backup of the machine and now I need to basically wipe it clean so I can sell it, How do I go about doing that?  I assume that Lion will remain on it (since it was an upgrade), and what about the iLife and iWork suite that is on it?  Do I need to resintall all that when its reset?
I am selling it to a new Apple user (never had a Mac before)... so the easier I can make it for them the better...
Thanks!

Prepare Your Mac for Sale
Boot from the OS X Installer Disc One that came with the computer.  After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button.  When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.  After DU loads select the startup volume from the left side list then click on the Erase tab.  Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) then click on the Options button.  Select the one pass Zero Data option and click on the OK button.  Then click on the Erase button.
Note: You can skip the Zero Data option if you are not concerned about removing sensitive personal data from the hard drive.  If you choose to skip this part of the process then it is possible for others to recover data from the hard drive.  The Zero Data procedure will prevent others from getting access to your personal information.
This process will take 30 minutes to several hours depending upon the size of the hard drive.  After formatting has completed quit DU and return to the installer.  Now complete the OS X installation.  At the completion of the installation do not restart the computer.  Instead just shut it off.  The next user will be presented with the Setup Assistant when they turn on the computer just as it would if new out of the box.

Similar Messages

  • How do i to totally reset iPad for new users?

    How do i to totally reset iPad for new users?

    Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
    Open Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. After erasing your device, turn it off holding Sleep button

  • Need to reset imac for selling

    Hi I am trying to reset my imac and somehow have messed it up all i have at startup is the image of a folder with a ? flashing on screen

    Before you sell or give away your computer, in addition to the steps listed in this support article, take these steps:
    1. Run Apple Diagnostics or the Apple Hardware Test. The buyer will do this (or he should), and you don't want to be surprised by the results.
    2. Reset the PRAM and the SMC, which might contain personal information.
    3. If you set a firmware password, remove it by running Firmware Password Utility in Recovery mode.
    4. If you activated FileVault in OS X 10.7 or later, turn it off.
    5. If you use Boot Camp, the partition must be deleted.
    6. If you created any other data partitions on the internal drive, remove them in Disk Utility.
    7. If the machine has an internal hard drive, erase the one remaining data partition with the option to zero out data. An SSD doesn't need to be zeroed.
    You can't legally or practically transfer any software downloaded from the Mac App Store to the new owner of the machine, even if it was free. That includes OS X, so if you upgraded to OS X 10.7 or later, you must reinstall an older OS, either from the installation media, if applicable, or by starting up in Internet Recovery mode (option-command-R at the startup chime.) If you installed from physical media, deliver those to the new owner.
    If you're selling the machine, or donating it in working order, and it originally shipped with OS X 10.4 or 10.5, then you have the option of installing either from the discs that came with it or from a retail Snow Leopard disc (which you must then transfer to the buyer.) The buyer should understand that if he doesn't get the original discs from you, he won't get the bundled iLife applications or the Apple Hardware Test. Replacements for the original discs can be ordered from Apple.
    The new owner will have to redownload any software that came from the App Store, including OS X upgrades, under his or her Apple ID. If you ever updated the bundled iLife applications (Garage Band, iMovie, and iPhoto) through the App Store, you can't transfer those either. The buyer will have to purchase them.
    Remove the machine from your list of registered products. If it's still covered by an AppleCare Protection Plan, transfer the coverage to the new owner by following the instructions in the AppleCare Terms and Conditions (under the heading "Transfer of Plan.")

  • Reseting System for new user...

    Hello All,
    I am selling my older iMac for a new one. How do I get everything back to virgin status...like I got it originally right out of the box...ready to re-setup. (Getting rid of all my data). Don't worry its all backed up.

    SCB has replied but you may care to look at <http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=5161604&#5161604>
    This, one of many such replies, also tells you how to prepare the Mac for the new user.
    You should also transfer to the buyer the original install disks.
    The idea in the link is not to put a start up user on the device whose name the buyer doesn't like. He might be inclined to change the shortname at a stage when he had some data on and apps and would then be posting about a 'loss' of his home folder. It could be rescued, there are postings on that, but it is a clart.

  • How to prepare MacBook for new owner?

    I'm selling my Intel MacBook Pro and I would like to restore it to factory-new condition for the new owner.
    I know how to install OS X from the included discs, but after the installation it launches right into the first-time setup (name, registration, network configuration, etc.).
    I don't want to do this setup — that's information for the new owner to key in. But I see no way to exit out of it gracefully, so should I just power down the machine at this point? I assume the next time it's started (by the new owner) it will simply try the first-time setup again.
    Is there a more graceful way to exit the installation and shut down the machine without doing the first-time setup?
    Thanks.

    Wow, this is really great. Exactly what I was looking for, except that I'm not sure I have another volume (e.g., FireWire drive) I can boot from to delete the administrator account.
    If the timing works out such that my new laptop arrives before I have to ship the old one, then I'll be all set.
    Thanks.

  • Erase and Install.. Is it now ready for new owner?

    1 )   Hello, i think i saw the answer to my question in a previous post but as it is the first time i have installed a system i would like to make sure i understand properly. I am preparing a computer for sale or giveaway.  At the end of the installation it carries on to the Welcome /Registration process, i presume it is at that point i stop, which i did, what baffled me was that there was no way to exit the page and no way to shut the computer down. I turned it off at the power button, is it ok now to pull the plug? And when it is turned back on will it start at the Welcome page and the new owner go on from there?
    2 )  Before doing the Erase and Install i had a play around with removing my account.  I deleted all private data and browsing history and anything i could find to delete, disabled auto login then i set up a fictitious account and used the admin rights given to that account to remove my proper account. That was all good except when the computer started again it still displayed my name on the panel that comes up saying  e.g  Joe Bloggs computer.   Is there a way to remove my name from that panel ?   The reason i ask is that a computer can be given away with the OS still in it ready to use with previous details removed but the new owner wouldn't want to see a previous owners name come up.( It didn't appear on the accounts page)
    The name must  have been put in during the configuration process, how or at what point do i avoid it or perhaps choose just to enter something general such as " my computer" ?    Thanks .

    Gidday or i should say good evening.. i didn't leave a computer behind(?)... Before i did the Erase and Install i had as i described it a "play around". I think it was at that point my name still appeared on the start up pane. Then i put the disc in and yes the first time it was just an Upgrade ( i didn't realise) 10.3 to 10.4.  I had a look and found the option to Erase and Install which has been done, it will have erased my name but that wasn't the first question... there was no way to exit the Welcome process so do i just pull the plug (its currently just been turned off at the machine itself)  leaving it at that point of Welcome/ Registration, and is it now ready to go to a new owner?
    As to the other query i am just curious to  know if is there a way to remove the name from that pane? I presume i filled in the name somewhere during the Welcome process.
    Yes i am aware that recovery can be done and that Erasing etc is the safest way but there was nothing to be of concern on the computer. I wasn't even doing internet banking back on the 10.3.       I have 3 eMacs and will be keeping the other two.

  • Erase HD for new owner?

    I'm giving my old MacBook Pro to my daughter. I want to give it to her "like new," so she can set it up the way she wants it. In Disk Utility, the option to erase is greyed out. Any suggestions? Thanks!

    Clean Install of Snow Leopard
         1. Boot the computer using the Snow Leopard Installer Disc or the Disc 1 that came
             with your computer.  Insert the disc into the optical drive and restart the computer.
             After the chime press and hold down the  "C" key.  Release the key when you see
             a small spinning gear appear below the dark gray Apple logo.
         2. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue
             button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
             After DU loads select the hard drive entry from the left side list (mfgr.'s ID and drive
             size.)  Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.  Set the number of
             partitions to one (1) from the Partitions drop down menu, click on Options button
             and select GUID, click on OK, then set the format type to MacOS Extended
             (Journaled, if supported), then click on the Apply button.
         3. When the formatting has completed quit DU and return to the installer.  Proceed
             with the OS X installation and follow the directions included with the installer.
         4. When the installation has completed your computer will Restart into the Setup
             Assistant. After you finish Setup Assistant will complete the installation after which
             you will be running a fresh install of OS X.  You can now begin the update process
             by opening Software Update and installing all recommended updates to bring your
             installation current.
         5. If you are planning to sell or give your computer away, then do the following:
            After you reformat your hard drive and reinstall OS X, the computer restarts to a
            Welcome screen and asks you to choose a country or region. If you want to leave
            the Mac in an out-of-box state, don't continue with the setup of your system. Instead,
            press Command-Q to shut down the Mac. When the new owner turns on the Mac,
            the Setup Assistant will guide them through the setup process.
    Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.
    If this computer came with Lion or later pre-installed:
    What to do before selling or giving away your Mac - Apple Support
    Follow the initial steps in this link to be sure you have signed out of your iCloud account, etc.

  • How to reset ipad 2 for new owner

    I am trying to rest my husbands iPad 2 for my personal use. I keep being prompted for his iTunes password, which I do not  know. even restarting the machine will not alleviate the problem. How do I rest the iPad?

    You need his password or to have him deactivate Find My iPhone.
    Allan

  • Returning New Old 3.06 Ghz iMac For New New 3.06 Ghz iMac

    Well of course I could not wait any longer and pulled the trigger on the 3.06ghz machine last Tuesday. Yes, I know I know you all have me to thank for this week actually being the long awaited imac update Tuesday. Just call me Murphy. Or maybe you don't want to thank me from the looks of many unhappy campers posts flying about.
    But getting back on point I'm going to bring my nice new "old" baby back for the new new one with the 4 GB DDR3 RAM and the Nvidia GT130 - not to mention the 1 TB HDD vs my current 500 GB drive.
    My question is, should I wipe this machine clean? I've got some stuff on it but in all honesty held off on really dumping everything I have (did not put my windows os or stuff on it yet etc) in case there was an update within 14 days of my buying it. So it's safe and still pretty clean.
    Do I have to wipe this clean or can I trust Apple to simply re-image on it's way down the refurb line?
    Any help much appreciated. Here's to hoping I don't have to eat the 10% rsf and can swap for even price!

    Hmmm I don't know.... The more I research and the more bmarks and GPU Z screens that pop up, the more this "GT130" smells to me like an *NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GTS.* Which actually is a bit clock slower than the previous 3 ghz 8800GS - which is actually an 8800 GTS btw (clocked down a bit).
    None the less the 9800m is a decent enough card. It's certainly a good choice for efficiency as it reportedly runs 75Mhz max. But unless it's an oc'd Apple Special (and they very well could be - often are) it's not better than it's predecessor.
    Check out these links if you want to see some interesting test screens regarding the debate of what this "gt 130" card really is.
    Good Mac Rumors thread with GP/card id info screens here:
    http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=7227503&posted=1#post7227503
    and Notebookcheck's info on the 9800M GTS here:
    http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-9800M-GTS.9918.0.html

  • Took back two week old imac for new imac

    OK so i saw the new models on the internet today and was kinda upset. SO i called my local apple store here and said that i just bought a new imac on feb 13th it was the 20inch with 2gb and 320gb hard drive for $1499 I said can i return it and get the 24in that just came out? I got lucky and was actually talking to the manager on the phone and he said no problem bring it in. So i thought i would give it a try and drive 1 hour to the apple store. Well because it was past the 2 weeks you have to return it (That ended feb 27th) they needed manager approval which i got. Needless to say they wavied the $140 restocking fee and i got the 24inch, 4gb, 640gb HDD Imac. Which by the way is HUGE. SO overall i was impressed that they took great care of me and didnt charge me the restocking fee, they even said they would give me the new price of the one i had if i wanted to keep it, which would have been about $300 but i wanted the faster machine. Well just though i would share my experience with anyone that might want to do the same thing. It seems like apple is allowing exchanges anyway.

    I'm i the same boat with JD1983... unfortunately I'm not as lucky. I bought mine on Feb 25th, same type of iMac. But because I bought it in Indonesia (where I currently resides), I don't have the option to bring it in for an exchange.
    I've e-mailed Apple Singapore (Asia HQ) but I still haven't gotten a satisfactory answer. <Edited by Moderator>
    We'll see if Apple's policy is the same all over the world or if this can only happen in the US.

  • Resetting airport for new mac

    I have just bought a new macbook pro -which is wonderful.
    I have an exisiting wirless network set up with an a-extreme, running offf a ibook running OSx 10.2.
    I need:
    1. to convert the control of the airport to the new mac - but i have forgotten my password - running tiger.
    2. I now have an airpot express for wireless music, which has created its own network address - but I want it to be an extension to the existing network as i can't get on the web at the same time as streaming itunes.
    3. The last annoying issues is: I am getting interruptions to my music streaming from time to time - what is causing their -microwaves, central heating - any ideas - i get a 3 second interruption evey 3 mins - normally in the evening.
    everything else is fine!!
    An experts' assistance, I think could solve this in muinutes.
    I am no expert.
    thanks
    paul
    macbook pro   Mac OS X (10.4.6)  

    1. to convert the control of the airport to the new mac - but i have forgotten my password - running tiger.
    There is no "controlling" computer. If you know the password you can configure the AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) from any computer. Do a soft reset on the AEBS to reset the password. See KB 107451, Resetting the AirPort Extreme Base Station.
    2. I now have an airpot express for wireless music, which has created its own network address - but I want it to be an extension to the existing network as i can't get on the web at the same time as streaming itunes.
    KB 107454, AirPort Extreme and Express: Using WDS to create a network from multiple base stations
    3. The last annoying issues is: I am getting interruptions to my music streaming from time to time - what is causing their -microwaves, central heating - any ideas - i get a 3 second interruption evey 3 mins - normally in the evening.
    KB 58543, AirPort: Potential sources of interference

  • How to reset UID for new created accounts?

    Hi everyone,
    OS X uses the UID 501 for the first admin account and subsequently counts up for the coming accounts (502, 503, etc.). I sometimes need to create an additional account which will get deleted after a while. The next time I create such an account the UID counter goes still up so that I currently am somewhere around 510.
    What I’d like to know is, how does one reset the UID counter so that it will give out 502 again for my next created account? Does this involve dsctl? Any help is appreciated!
    Björn

    Sorry for taking so long to get back to you, but I was away for a week. I know about the advanced options, but was reluctant to try it this way. Just tested this in a VM and it works! You simply change the UID via System Prefs/Accounts/Advanced to say 502 and the subsequent accounts will follow. The only thing to keep in mind is to close System Preferences after deleting accounts in order to reset the counter. If you continue to create new users without quitting it first, it will continue at 511 or whereever you were.
    The reason I want to do this, is simply to not lose my overview about which account uses which UID.
    Thanks!
    Björn

  • Resetting iPad for new user

    Sorry...I'm new here and I think I posted this under a wrong Community. i went to Browse Communities below and there was nothing to do with iPad so I chose Appleworks. But I'll just type in 'iPad' after this and try my luck.
    Here's my earlier post:
    Hi all.
    I've read that Erase All brings the iPad back to how it was when it left the shop. But I need to comfirm something 'cos here's the situation:
    1. I just sold my mum's iPad to a third party shop. All done, or so I thought.
    2. I get a text asking for my Apple password so they can format the iPad.
    3. I reply that it's not needed for Reset All/Erase All. (NOTE: No Passcode was set on iPad)
    4. I get a text today saying: "But we need to change the app store. Otherwise if any other person buy it they cannot create new account. Maybe you can come and type it. After that we can reset in front of you."
    Does the shop really need my password? I was under the impression that Erase All would do a factory reset and clear my Apple ID from the IPad too. Then the next person just sets up their own ID.
    By the way, this is not a shop I really trust which is why I'm being so cautious. Also, I don't fancy going all the way there again.
    Thanks so much in advance and sorry for the long ramble
    Andrew
    Will 'Erase All Content and Settings' remove Apple ID from my iPad 2?

    You must remove device from your account before they can activate it.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4515

  • Ownership change, how to clear out for new owner?

    I need to know how to properly clear out everything on my kids Hp touchpads before they sell them?  What's the best way?

    Hi,
    The best way is bring it back to factory settings that means the machine will be set back to the day you opening the box. Please try:
    Open the launcher,
    Go to the Settings tab,
    To  Device Info,
    Touch  Reset Options,
    Tehn select Full Erase or Secure Full Erase (takes longer but more powerful erasing).
    Regards.
    click the launcher up arrow
    Click on the Settings tab
    Click Device Info
    Click Reset Options
    Click Full Erase or Secure Full Erase (takes longer but more powerful erasing)- See more at: http://datadele.com/question/how-do-you-factory-reset-hp-touchpad#sthash.uZqO1qNm.dpuf
    click the launcher up arrow
    Click on the Settings tab
    Click Device Info
    Click Reset Options
    Click Full Erase or Secure Full Erase (takes longer but more powerful erasing)- See more at: http://datadele.com/question/how-do-you-factory-reset-hp-touchpad#sthash.uZqO1qNm.dpuf
    BH
    **Click the KUDOS thumb up on the left to say 'Thanks'**
    Make it easier for other people to find solutions by marking a Reply 'Accept as Solution' if it solves your problem.

  • How can I prepare an old iMac for new user.

    Having bought a new iMac 20" I have an older iMac which I want to give to my grand kids. How do I wipe it clean and put a new system on with their Internet settings etc.

    Erasing the hard drive simply removes the names of the files from the directory. The contents of the files are still on the disk. Disk recovery utilities can easily recover the files from the hard drives.
    To safeguard any personal information which has ever been on the hard drive, you need to overwrite the hard drive. See KB 107437, Mac OS X: How to zero all data on a disk.

Maybe you are looking for

  • Erorr while changing storage location in VL02N

    Guyz, Firstly despite the plant+storage location + warehouse no. assignments are done , my replenishment delivery (delivery for stock transport order between plants under same company code) is not picking up storage location and warehouse no and thus

  • Trouble connecting IPod to window

    My computer doesn't recognize my IPod but my ITunes does meaning the USB post doesn't recognize it. Instead of charging up my IPod get drained of its power really fast. It is a laptop but this happens even when it plugged up. I've got the latest soft

  • Adobe Pro

    Hi, This is regarding Adobe Pro. The requirement is a developed form is flattened and imported into the Adobe Pro. But in the Adobe Pro, a few input fields which are placed next to each other (like Street address, city, state and Zip code) get merged

  • CC desktop won't display apps

    I have installed CC desktop on my MacBook Pro with Yosemite, but when I launch CC desktop the only think I can't see are the apps, the spinning blue circle keeps circling and nothing happens. I've tried almost everything, uninstalled the cc desktop,

  • System Report USB Current Required

    Under Mavericks, The System Report for USB Current Required (mA): for a WD external drive was listed as 248. Under Yosemite 10.10.1, this same parameter is listed as 896 for the same drive (curiously a factor of 4 increase). Which of these values is