Should I erase my personal data before recycling my iMac?

How do I erase my personal data before recycling my iMac with Apple?

You can reformat the drive to factory settings.
Help here >  What to do before selling or giving away your Mac

Similar Messages

  • How do I erase all the data on an old imac?

    How do I erase all the data on an old imac, so I can safely sell/give it away without any personal information on it?
    Joel

    Boot with your original install discs, launch Disk Utility from the Utilities menu, select the HD, erase, reformat, and zero out the data. Once that's finished, reinstall the OS and on first boot quit the installer and shutdown the machine. Give the original discs to the new owner and when they start it up, they'll experience the first time Setup Assistant. Since it's not a new machine, there should be nothing associated with Lion or ML to muck things up.

  • How to erase all my data before selling my macbook 10.5.8 but no the applications

    I'm passing my mac to a friend and I would like to delete all my persoal data but NO the applications.
    What is the best  and most secure way to do this.
    Thanxs

    The only way to securely remove all your personal data is to zero out the hard drive then install a fresh copy of OS X.  Provide the installers discs for any software you are providing with the computer.  You should provide all the original discs, serial numbers, etc.  The new owner can then install the software and personalize it themselves.
    Drive Preparation
    1.  Boot from your OS X Installer Disc. 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.
    2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area.  If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing.  SMART info will not be reported  on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
    3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
    4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
    5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
    6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
    7. When formatting has completed quit DU and return to the installer.  Complete the OS X installation.  At the end of the installation will be the Restart screen.  Do not restart the computer.  Instead just shutdown.  When the new owner boots up the computer they will begin with the Setup Assistant jus like the computer was new out of the box.

  • Erase all personal data from not working phone?

    Long story short: my attempt at replacing my iPhone 2g dock connector did not end well.
    My phone now consists of several parts.
    It's probably not going to be worth buying replacement parts and putting it back together (about 75 dollars in parts for a phone I paid 125 dollars for), and I'd like to cut my losses.
    I obviously can not connect this to iTunes and hit 'reset' a few times.
    Is there any way I can completely erase all my personal data - phonebook, recorded memos and stuff recorded in apps (aNote specifically, because it contains my diary and I think I temporarily disabled the passcode a few days ago) ?
    The Long story:
    I knew it had a broken dock connector and I couldn't figure out how to get to, I also broke the ribbon that comes out of the digitizer, and the battery kinda exploded when I tried to pry it loose and poked a hole into it with a screwdriver (sparks and all - turns out it was superglued to the aluminum) - so in order not to short out other parts I instantly cut all wires that connected the battery to everything else.
    In my defense I did successfully open up and replace the battery on an iPod nano so I like to think I'm not a complete idiot... (the digitizer ribbon got snagged behind a sharp edge when I very carefully pulled the screen off, and my YouTube instruction video said to leverage something underneath the battery..it's not supposed to be glued in like that?).

    Thank you.
    Although not really the answer I was hoping for
    The only expensive replacement part I needed was the screen/digitizer combo which is 50 dollars.. antenna wire, new battery and replacement dock were about 15 dollars.
    So I'm going to try and fix it. Will be good for my ego too if I succeed, little less so for the bank account. Wish me luck (if it fails I'll break the perfectly fine motherboard and sell the rest of the parts..)

  • How can I erase all personal data from an e72?

    Any help would be greatly appreciated. 
    My one week old e72 came with a scratch under the glass. I have been a bit worried that any pressure on the phone in the future might lead the screen to crack, so to be on the safe side I am having the handset replaced straight away by my mobile network. 
    I am expecting a doorstep exchange in the morning, and they will collect the old phone all boxed up and provide a new sealed e72 in the box. 
    So, I need to delete all my information from the handset and memory card. So far I have formatted the memory card and done a factory reset from the phone menu, then a factory reset as detailed in another thread I found on here (* +3 + call). 
    But this hasn't removed my email accounts, text message inbox or calendar appointments from the phone, or removed applications that I installed. 
    Is there a simple way to erase all private data, as I really don't want the handset going back with all my work and private details on there.
    Solved!
    Go to Solution.

    Yep, make sure it gets the most recent update when you get it (guide): http://europe.nokia.com/support/download-software/device-software-update/can-i-update
    I would recommend to use memorycard as messagememory. You fixe that in messaging->options->settings->other.
    Try to install all 3rd party apps on memorycard and stay away from awkward themes
    Clear the privacy data within the browser once in a while (if you surf a lot).
    As much free space on the phone memory seems to be a good thing. I had the E71, and E72 and never had better phones with better buildquality. The E72 is fast too.
    If you concider this thread as Solved, set it as solved and set the post you felt answered your questions as solution. Enjoy your new device!

  • Erase all personal information from intel based IMac MA589LL using Lion 10.7.4

    i wanyt to erase all personal from my IMac MA589LL intel based  using Lion so i can give away                        

    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=11927841#11927841
    Do note that your Lion installation is tied to your AppleID and isn't transferrable.

  • Should I erase my hard drive before updating to Yosemite?

    I am planning on updating to OS X 10.10 Yosemite on my late 2009 3GHz 4GB RAM iMac soon from 10.9.5 Mavericks, and I've always heard it is best to erase the hard drive and wipe it clean when installing a new version of the OS.  Is this still true? 
    And since the OS no longer comes on an install CD disc, is it still recommended to erase the HD before installing fresh?  If so, how is this best accomplished without such an install CD?  Copy the downloaded installer to a flash drive or CD/DVD or external hard disk?
    Or has the Mac OS progressed enough that simply using Software Update is now the best and recommended way to upgrade OS X?
    Any best practice recommendations would be most appreciated.  And as always, I backup all of my important stuff before I perform such an install (though I do not use Time Machine as yet).

    You don't say how you are backing up, other than that you don't use Time Machine (which is not a bad thing, given the reports of problems with the reliability of Time Machine backups). I'd suggest that you buy Carbon Copy Cloner and use it to make a complete, bootable backup of your system on a second hard drive.
    4GB of RAM is borderline skimpy. You may need to at least double what you have installed now: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iMac/DDR3_21.5_27
    Download DiskmakerX: http://diskmakerx.com/, and get an 8GB flash drive. You can use DiskmakerX to put the Yosemite installer on the flash drive.I'd also suggest that you try to re-download the Mavericks installer before you do any other steps, and store it in a safe location outside of your Applications folder. You may want to revert or re-install at some point. You can also make a flash drive for Mavericks, if you have succeeded in downloading it.
    "Install OS X Yosemite.app" (or or any installer later than Snow Leopard) is downloaded to your Applications folder. When the download is complete, the installer application launches. It is at this point that you quit the installer and copy (not move) it to a safe location outside of your Applications folder, perhaps in the folder of backups you (should) maintain for stuff like system updates and installers. You need to do this is because "Install OS X Whatever.app" very unhelpfully deletes itself after the installation is complete.
    Make your flash drive installer at this point. When you are done, locate the copy of the Yosemite installer that is still in your Applications folder, launch it, and upgrade the system on your internal drive. With a cloned, bootable backup, you can easily revert to Mavericks if Yosemite doesn't run well.

  • Best way to delete data before sale of iMac

    I have created a new user with Admin privileges but I'm not sure where to go from there. I 'think' I have to delete all other accounts on the machine? But what about my data? Can it still be accessed? Should I run a utility to get rid of the current data or does the creation of a new user automatically get rid of the other data.
    As an aside, I was prompted for updates for software from the App Store. I was asked for my Apple ID & password. Do I have to Deauthorise that computer from iTunes before I sell it.
    So many questions, so little time!
    Thanks
    Brad

    Follow these instructions step by step to prepare a Mac for sale:
    Step One - Back up your data:
           A. If you have any Virtual PCs shut them down. They cannot be in their "fast saved" state. They must be shut down from inside Windows.
           B. Clone to an external drive using using Carbon Copy Cloner.
              1. Open Carbon Copy Cloner.
              2. Select the Source volume from the Select a source drop down menu on the left side.
              3. Select the Destination volume from the Select a destination drop down menu on the right
                  side.
              4. Click on the Clone button. If you are prompted about creating a clone of the Recovery HD be
                  sure to opt for that.
                   Destination means a freshly erased external backup drive. Source means the internal
                   startup drive.
    Step Two - Prepare the machine for the new buyer:
              1. De-authorize the computer in iTunes! De-authorize both iTunes and Audible accounts.
              2, Remove any Open Firmware passwords or Firmware passwords.
              3. Turn the brightness full up and volume nearly so.
              4. Turn off File Vault, if enabled.
              5. Disable iCloud, if enabled: See.What to do with iCloud before selling your computer
    Step Three - Install a fresh OS:
         A. Snow Leopard and earlier versions of OS X
              1. Insert the original OS X install CD/DVD that came with your computer.
              2. Restart the computer while holding down the C key to boot from the CD/DVD.
              3. Select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu; repartition and reformat the internal hard drive.
                  Optionally, click on the Security button and set the Zero Data option to one-pass.
              4. Install OS X.
              5. Upon completion DO NOT restart the computer.
              6. Shutdown the computer.
         B. Lion and Mountain Lion (if pre-installed on the computer at purchase*)
             Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because
                       it is three times faster than wireless.
              1. Restart the computer while holding down the COMMAND and R keys until the Mac OS X
                  Utilities window appears.
              2. Select Disk Utility from the Mac OS X Utilities window and click on the Continue button.
              3. After DU loads select your startup volume (usually Macintosh HD) from the left side list. Click
                  on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
              4. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on the Security button
                  and set the Zero Data option to one-pass.
              5. Click on the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.
              6. Quit DU and return to the Mac OS X Utilities window.
              7. Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Install button.
              8. Upon completion shutdown the computer.
    *If your computer came with Lion or Mountain Lion pre-installed then you are entitled to transfer your license once. If you purchased Lion or Mountain Lion from the App Store then you cannot transfer your license to another party. In the case of the latter you should install the original version of OS X that came with your computer. You need to repartition the hard drive as well as reformat it; this will assure that the Recovery HD partition is removed. See Step Three above. You may verify these requirements by reviewing your OS X Software License.

  • Put Date Before Header Line in Receiver FCC

    Hi,
    I have to create a csv file with format :
    Date : dd/mm/yyyy to dd/mm/yyyy
    PRODUCT_CODE,NAME,ADDRESS
    123,ABC,xyz
    123,ABC,xyz
    123,ABC,xyz
    123,ABC,xyz
    123,ABC,xyz
    How should i achieve putting the date before header line?
    What should be my target structure format?
    What parameters to enter in receiver FCC?

    Hi,
    have you tried..
    Have you tried:
    (http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/e3/94007075cae04f930cc4c034e411e1/frameset.htm)
    ● NameA.enclosureSign
    Specify a string that acts as a text delimiter.
    Text enclosed by such delimiters is transferred to the target structure unchanged, although the default setting is to remove all text delimiters. Separators within such texts are ignored.
    This parameter is optional. The default setting is an empty value (no text delimiter).
    ● NameA.enclosureSignEnd
    If the text delimiters for the beginning and end of the text are different, specify the text delimiter for the end of the text here.
    If you do not make an entry here, the entry from NameA.enclosureSign is used.
    ● NameA.enclosureSignEscape
    Specify a string that replaces the text delimiter if it occurs within a text that it delimits.
    When the text is transferred the string is replaced by the value specified in NameA.enclosureSign .
    ● NameA.enclosureSignEndEscape
    Specify a string that replaces the text delimiter for the end of the text if it occurs within a text that it delimits.
    When the text is transferred the string is replaced by the value specified in NameA.enclosureSignEnd.
    ● NameA.enclosureConversion
    To remove the delimiter upon transfer, or to replace it with escape characters, enter YES. This is the default value.
    To transfer the characters unchanged enter NO.
    Note
    If you specify xml.enclosureSign=“ and xml.enclosureSignEsc=““, text enclosed in quotation marks is transferred unchanged and the quotation marks are removed.
    If the escape character for a quotation mark (““) occurs in the text itself, it is replaced by the quotation mark during the transfer.
    Thanks,
    Vijaya.

  • I need to update my OS from 10.5.8 to snow leopard, should I back up my data beforehand or should it be okay to update straight away?

    My laptop has recently stopped updating all of the software on it because it is too out of date, but I'm yet to try and update my laptop. I have the disc for Snow Leopard, but I don't have a harddrive to potentially back up all my data to protect it from getting lost when updating the OS. Should I back up my data before updating? Or just wing it and do the update anyways? Thanks!

    Yes, you should definitely backup your data. And, before doing that you should repair your hard drive and permissions.
    Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
    Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. 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 your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list.  In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive.  If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
    If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
    After installing Snow Leopard download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 and give you access to the App Store.
    Then should you wish to go further:
    Upgrading from Snow Leopard to Lion or Mountain Lion
    You can upgrade to Mountain Lion from Lion or directly from Snow Leopard. Mountain Lion can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for $19.99.
    If you sign into the App Store and try to purchase Mountain Lion but the App Store says your computer is not compatible then you may still be able to upgrade to Lion per the following information.
    A. Upgrading to Mountain Lion
    To upgrade to Mountain Lion you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.8 or Lion installed. Purchase and download Mountain Lion from the App Store. Sign in using your Apple ID. Mountain Lion is $19.99 plus tax. The file is quite large, over 4 GBs, so allow some time to download. It would be preferable to use Ethernet because it is nearly four times faster than wireless.
         OS X Mountain Lion - System Requirements
           Macs that can be upgraded to OS X Mountain Lion
             1. iMac (Mid 2007 or newer) - Model Identifier 7,1 or later
             2. MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer) - Model Identifier 5,1 or later
             3. MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
             4. MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer) - Model Identifier 2,1 or later
             5. Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
             6. Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
             7. Xserve (Early 2009) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
    To find the model identifier open System Profiler in the Utilities folder. It's displayed in the panel on the right.
         Are my applications compatible?
             See App Compatibility Table - RoaringApps.
         For a complete How-To introduction from Apple see Upgrade to OS X Mountain Lion.
    B. Upgrading to Lion
    If your computer does not meet the requirements to install Mountain Lion, it may still meet the requirements to install Lion.
    You can purchase Lion by contacting Customer Service: Contacting Apple for support and service - this includes international calling numbers. The cost is $19.99 (as it was before) plus tax.  It's a download. You will get an email containing a redemption code that you then use at the Mac App Store to download Lion. Save a copy of that installer to your Downloads folder because the installer deletes itself at the end of the installation.
         Lion System Requirements
           1. Mac computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7,
               or Xeon processor
           2. 2GB of memory
           3. OS X v10.6.6 or later (v10.6.8 recommended)
           4. 7GB of available space
           5. Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.

  • How to delete my personal data while activate the lost mode?

    My Iphone is stolen. I already actiivate lost mode, but my device is offline.
    could i erase my personal data without deactivate the stolen mode.
    i want my device still still lock (forever) and the thief cannot use my iphone; but i want to delete my personal data.
    Is it possible to delete my prsonal data whithout stop the lost mode?
    Please help me... Thank you

    You can use the Find My iPhone erase feature and the thief would not be able to ever use the phone as long as you don't also remove the device from your account. As with everything in Find My Phone, the phone will have to be on and online for the erase to happen. The quotation below is from If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is lost or stolen
    Erase your device. To prevent anyone else from accessing the data on your missing device, you can erase it remotely. When you erase your device, all of your information will be deleted from the device, and you won't be able to locate it using Find My iPhone. After you erase a device, you can't track it. If you remove the device from your account after you erase it, Activation Lock will be turned off. This allows another person to activate and use your device.

  • ALERT! Save all your personal data berfore updatin...

    Not that I had much... but I lost it all!! during a SW update on my N95!
    I was just d u m b to beleeve that Nokia had the knowledge to save personal data, whipe the phone, update and the restore personal data... but how childish of me to think that. My Siemens S45 could do that... 6yrs ago... but not Nokia 2007

    but NSU advises you to backup all your personal data before backup...
    you've probably missed that

  • Purchasing new iMac (27 i5), what is best method to transfer programs/files/documents from 24" iMAC?  What is the best method to remove personal data from OS?

    Purchasing a new iMac (27 i5), what is the best method to transfer programs/files,documents from a 24" iMac?
    What is the best method to remove personal data from the 24" iMac?

    Use setup assistant which is offered when you setup your new Mac.  It will transfer information from a Time Machine backup, Clone or another Mac.
    It's best to do this during setup to avoid issues with duplicate IDs.
    Regards

  • Sometimes, when I click on a link, I see in the address bar the words: "Search bookmarks and history" (greyed out) just before I am taken to the link. Should I be worried? Is someone searching my personal data? Is this just a FireFox error msg?

    Sometimes, when I click a link on a web page, I see in the address bar the words: "Search bookmarks and history" (greyed out) just before I am taken to the link I clicked. A moment later, when I'm at the link, its address appears in the address bar, and all is normal. It seems that this happens only from some particular sites. Is FireFox reporting that my bookmarks and history are being searched?
    Should I be worried? Is someone searching my personal data? Is this just a FireFox error msg when it has trouble finding the website I requested?

    That is OK. Firefox will only display the link in the location bar after the DNS look up has succeeded and a connection to the server has been established. Until that has been done you see the default setting for the location bar: Tools > Options > Privacy > Location Bar: When using the location bar, suggest

  • TS4036 I added Icloud to join my calendar to another person. It erased all history date from previous months. how do I get that data back?

    I added Icloud to join my calendar on my phone to another person. It erased all history date from previous months. how do I get that data back?

    i found the answer to the first part: reboot and keep hold of command+r
    this gave me a list of options
    one of them was to reinstall lion from fresh
    i went for this
    dont know why... but all forum posts i read said u should delete hard disc? theres an option for this
    which is the right option?
    any suggesstion where i go to register new mac would be great
    thanks

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