What's the best way to erase a hard drive?
I just switched all my "stuff" to my new Macbook and I want to erase everything off my old G4. Never done it before. Nervous. What's the best way?
Boot to an Install CD.
Run Disk Utility (X) or Drive Setup (9).
Initialize the hard drive with the Write Zeroes or Zero all data option.
It takes a long time, do not plan on doing anything for a few hours.
-- your disk is now completely blank --
Install any version of Mac OS, such as the one on the Installer CD. This allows the new recipient to see that your Mac still works, so it should not be immediately crushed.
Unless you have nuclear secrets on it, there is no need for 7x or 35x overwriting. After the Write Zeroes pass, your data is only recoverable to those who wish to disassemble it in a clean room with expensive special equipment.
For the extremely paranoid, there is always the "Hammer method":
Remove the hard drive.
Beat it to death with a hammer.
Remove the platters and use them to make a wind chime.
(Once opened, a Hard drive has a short time before the heads will crash and ruin some of the data, and possibly the heads themselves.)
Deleting all the files, which takes only a minute or two, only clears the Directory. It does not write over the data blocks. Simple programs like Norton Utilities can get the files back.
Similar Messages
-
What is the best way to wipe my hard drive for a clean install?
I've been having a lot of insane issues with my iMac like my Dock icons not staying, email messages showing in Mail but when I click on them I can't see any text, Spotlight finding emails and files that don't show on my hard drive, etc.
I've decided that I just want to wipe the whole thing clean and start from scratch. What is the best way that I can do this to make sure that absolutely no data is left on the drive and I am totally starting from scratch?Hi David Hamilton1;
I guess that all depends on how critical your data is in relation to how much time you want to spend doing the erasure. Those higher level erasure options can take a significant amount of time to complete. Personally I don't have anything on my Mac that I think is worth more time then a simple erasure even if that does leave it some what recoverable. To me it seems some people are going overboard on this issue.
Allan -
What is the best way to cleanup my hard drive?
I have a 2013 Pro with the 256gig SSD. I have installed and uninstalled and moved files everywhere since I got the notebook. I am now starting to focus on my music production and was cleaning up my files and organizing folders for everything. However, I noticed there are just tons of random files everywhere in the "All Files" section in finder. They range from .txt files to other things with random names. Im not too keen on re-storing the entire computer to factory state, so I was wondering what the best way is to just cleanup and organize the entire hard drive if that is at all possible?
Freeing Up Space on The Hard Drive
1. See Lion/Mountain Lion/Mavericks' Storage Display.
2. You can remove data from your Home folder except for the /Home/Library/ folder.
3. Visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on freeing up space on your hard drive.
4. Also see Freeing space on your Mac OS X startup disk.
5. See Where did my Disk Space go?.
6. See The Storage Display.
You must Empty the Trash in order to recover the space they occupied on the hard drive.
You should consider replacing the drive with a larger one. Check out OWC for drives, tutorials, and toolkits.
Try using OmniDiskSweeper 1.8 or GrandPerspective to search your drive for large files and where they are located. -
What is the best way to install & clone hard drives on macbooks? does apple do that?
It is time for a new hard drive for my macbook - just doiubles the memory, but am still getting the spinning beach ball. The genius bar told me I need a new hard drive, but that I could buy it and out it in myself. But, I just heard that the best way to replace the hard drive is to clone it... and that is beyond my abilities.
Does apple do that??? suggestions? thanks!Please note that "cloning" a hard drive is not the same as replacing it. You clone the drive to preserve its contents (usually on the drive that will be the replacement). You still have to get into the MB, physically, take out the old drive and install the new one. There are plenty of web sites that tell you how to do this replacement. This is one I like: http://www.macinstruct.com/node/130
The details do vary depending on the vintage of your MB, so if that link is not for your model, try searching the web for instructions specific to your need. Or post back here with details about your Mac.
If Apple did agree to do this for you it would probably cost almost as much as a new MB. (And if you do buy a new MB, my local Mac store will do the data transfer as a bonus!) -
845E - What is the best way to clone a Hard Drive.
I have a very noisy WD drive (drive A). I purchased another drive - the exact same model and size (drive B).
What is the best was to move the entire contents from drive A to drive B, make drive B bootable and then to send the drive A back to the manufacturer?Partition Magic from Power Quest.
Very powerful, does the job every time. -
What is the best way to upgrade a hard drive on my macbook?
How do I get the information on my current internal hard-drive onto another internal hard-drive?
Thanks in advance for any and all information.You can use SuperDuper or CarbonCopy Cloner to accomplish that.
You'd need an external disk or mount your old internal in an enclosure.
-mj
Message was edited by: macjack -
What is the best way to manage my hard drive?
Background - I have a 13" MacBook Pro with 250GB hard drive and recently I have had to delete or migrate files to external HDs to gain space. I spent last night doing just that. I also have two EHDs - a 2TB My Passport and a 3TB Seagate GoFlex Home WiFi capable. I do my backups to the SeaGate using Time Machine. My issue is that I currently only have about 38 GB available on the hard drive after making the moves last night.
I'll call this what it is - an ugly baby. In order to make room, I moved files to one or both EHDs so now I have multiple copies of my stuff but no organization. So a couple of questions...
1. How can I effectively and efficiently get my internal hard drive down to only about 100GB be used? What I would like to do is reduce the files and folders on my mac to the pictures and basic document files in my documents folder. I think I can do this by moving all music to an EHD which would free up more than 100GB on my macbook. I just am not sure how to do this and not affect my iPhone's iTunes etc.
2. I want to back up my info to a cloud, specifically pictures and important docs... I would be introducing a third way to get disorganized. What do I need to do to stay ahead of the curve.
Thanks in advance...Upgrade your MBP's internal boot drive to something larger, 250GB just doesn't cut it.
A 2010 machine, I wouldn't bother with the expense of a SSD, a 7,200 750GB or 1TB should do nicely and you can install it yourself or have a local geek do it.
You might as well max the RAM too, if your in AppleCare it won't violate it as long as nothing is broken.
Carbon Copy Cloner is the preferred method to clone your entire OS X + Recovery HD partition (no BootCamp, use WinClone 3 for that) to a external GUID OS X ext J drive, hold the option key and boot from the clone, then reverse clone onto the new internal drive.
OtherWorld computing, MacMall and Crucial.com are recommended for compatibility, videos and what not.
Install/upgrade RAM or storage drive in Mac's
don't forget to clean the cooling fins behind the fans, they get clogged with dust and overheat the machine. -
What is the best way to erase my computer for personal stuff while leaving the computer ready to use
what is the best way to erase my computer for personal stuff while leaving the computer ready to use
If the Mac came with Mountain Lion or Lion, press Command, Option and R keys on boot, open Disk Utility, erase the disk and reinstall Lion or Mountain Lion. If it came with Snow Leopard or older, insert the DVD, press C key on boot, go to Utilities > Disk Utility, erase the drive and reinstall Snow Leopard
-
I have 21,000 photos stored in iphoto. I have a WD 1.5TB backup external hard drive. What is the best way to erase about half of my photos on my internal hard drive?
Here's one way to do what you want:
Make sure the drive is formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
1. Quit iPhoto
2. Copy the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
Now you have two full versions of the Library.
3. On the Internal library, trash the Events you don't want there
Now you have a full copy of the Library on the External and a smaller subset on the Internal
Some Notes:
As a general rule: when deleting photos do them in batches of about 100 at a time. iPhoto can baulk at trashing large numbers at one go.
You can choose which Library to open: Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library'
You can keep the Library on the external updated with new imports using iPhoto Library Manager -
What's the best way to clone my boot drive?
I just bought a new 500GB drive for my G4. What's the best way to clone my boot drive?
Is there a way to put the new drive on the buss as a second drive and then copy everything from my boot drive to the new drive? How do I make the new drive bootable?
Or
Do I have to install OSX on the new drive, put the old boot drive on the buss as a second drive and migrate everything to the new drive with the Utilities Migration Assitant program?
Are there programs available to make this easier? Where & how much?
Thanks for any help I can get.bamim2:
Dr. Smoke's FAQ Backup and Recovery has excellent advice on developing a backup strategy.
You already have a larger extrnal HDD (Hopefully it is firewire?) The next step is to format and partition the HDD. (see step-by-step below). And thirdly you will need a good cloning utility. Carbon Copy Cloner has already been suggested, and the latest version is excellent. I, personally, prefer SuperDuper for its ease of use and efficiency. Both are great tools and relatively simple to use.
I mentioned the hope that you have a firewire. One of the wonderful benefits of using an external firewire HDD for backing up is that you can make a bootable clone. This gives you an emergency boot drive in case of a problem. It also gives you an external device for running diagnostics and repairs from the extnernal to the computer and vice-versa.
Congratulations on taking the first step toward securing your computer and your data!
Formatting, Partitioning Zeroing a Hard Disk Drive
Warning! This procedure will destroy all data on your Hard Disk Drive. Be sure you have an up-to-date, tested backup of at least your Users folder and any third party applications you do not want to re-install before attempting this procedure.
Boot from the install CD holding down the "C" key.
Select language
Go to the Utilities menu (Tiger) Installer menu (Panther & earlier) and launch Disk Utility.
Option for formatting an External HDD
Connect external HDD to computer
Turn on external HDD
Start up computer and log in
Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility and launch DU.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
Select Partition tab in main panel. (You are about to create a single partition volume.)
Select number of partition in pull-down menu above Volume diagram.
(Note 1: One partition is normally preferable for an internal HDD. External HDDs usually have more than one. See Dr. Smoke’s FAQ Backup and Recovery for tips on partitioning external HDD
Note 2: For more partitions than one, after you have selected the number of partitions you can adjust the size of the partition by selecting the top partition and typing in the size; then move down if more adjustments need to be made..)
Type in name in Name field (usually Macintosh HD)
Select Volume Format as Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Click Partition button at bottom of panel.
Select Erase tab
Select the sub-volume (indented) under Manufacturer ID (usually Macintosh HD).
Check to be sure your Volume Name and Volume Format are correct.
Optional: Select on Security Options button (Tiger) Options button (Panther & earlier).
Select Zero all data. (This process will map out bad blocks on your HDD. However, it could take several hours. If you want a quicker method, don't go to Security Options and just click the Erase button.)
Click OK.
Click Erase button
Quit Disk Utility.
Good luck.
cornelius -
I just bought a new Mac and I want to transfer some data (not all) from my old Mac. Basically, I want to move my itunes library, iphoto library, and a few documents. I have not even turned on my new Mac yet. Is the best way by an external hard drive?
If both have Firewire ports then you can accomplish your goal by using Target Disk Mode. If this is not possible then you can do using an external drive or if you have a local network connect both to your network and use filesharing between the two computers.
File Sharing on Macs
Mac 101- File Sharing -
What is the best USB powered portable 1TB hard drive for a macbook pro that allows Time machine to work, windows (thru Parallels software) and mac storage and is available in Australia?
I agree with teh OWC sggestion above, but why must it be USB powered? I find that far more unreliable, and the low power devices slow.
I'd frankly get a good external enclosure and buy a bare drive. But the OWC stuff is quite good - vastly better than some of the majors (WD being aprime example of stuff that's boderline quality and often not compatible)
Grant -
I want to create a movie in iMovie 10 and watch in on Apple TV. What is the best work flow to save hard drive space?
Jim,
Thanks for the advice. I have avoided iMovie Theater because that would soon use all of my free iCloud allowance (although that could be an option). I have been sharing to iTunes at 720p thinking that my picture using Apple TV would be better than Large. I see now that I could use about 30% less hard drive space by using Large instead. Do you think I will experience an annoying difference in picture quality? -
What's the best way to erase content but not the applications?
I'm giving away my iMac to my niece. I want to erase all my content files, libraries ,etc., but not the applications. What's the best way to do this, and to do it securely?
If you have Downloaded and Upgraded to Lion See...
Here is an excerpt of the SLA; the Lion license (purchased from MAS) is NOT transferable. The SLA is quite clear:
B. If you obtained your license to the Apple Software from the Mac App Store or on Apple-branded physical media, it is not transferable. If you sell your Apple-branded hardware to athird party, you must remove the Apple Software from the Apple-branded hardware beforedoing so, and you may restore your system to the version of the Apple operating systemsoftware that originally came with your Apple hardware (the “Original Apple OS”) andpermanently transfer the Original Apple OS together with your Apple hardware, provided that:(i) the transfer must include all of the Original Apple OS, including all its component parts,printed materials and its license; (ii) you do not retain any copies of the Original Apple OS, fullor partial, including copies stored on a computer or other storage device; and (iii) the partyreceiving the Original Apple OS reads and agrees to accept the terms and conditions of theOriginal Apple OS license.
Now Proceed...
Boot from the original OS installer disk and do an Erase & Install.
When the Mac reboots into Mac Setup Assistant Quit and shut it down.
When the New Owner Boots it up it's a brand new Mac... just like when you got it.
( The Original Install Disc(s) should also be included with the sale )
http://www.ehow.com/how_5852122_restore-imac-factory-settings.html -
I have an image of bracelet with a tube in the middle and need to erase the tube but keep the bracelet to make it look as though the tube was never there, what's the best tool in CS6 to use
Look at the Content Aware Patch, Healing Brush, and Spot Healing Brush tools.
Photoshop Help | Content-Aware Patch and Move
Nancy O.
Maybe you are looking for
-
Hi, I've recently tried to install itunes 6. During the installation process it looked like everything was going well but at the 'installation successful' screen the windows send error report window appears. I close that window and click finish to co
-
BT Home Hub 3 and loss of Wi Fi when using either ...
Dear Forums, Have been a BT broadband customer since 2012 and To tell you the truth I am completely dissatisfied with BT, the home hub and the help desk people. For the last 8 months I have been having problems either with Intermittent broadband, whe
-
Having issues with populating a Text Field with data from 2 other fields
I have 3 fields Tools_1a_pri, Tools_1a_pri_other, Tools_1a_pri_txt. Tools_1a_pri is a drop down combo with a predefined list. One of the options is "Other". When "Other" is selected, the text field Tools_1a_pri_other becomes visible for users to ent
-
Import Tiff to Freehand problem
HI all, Im so worry just got this problem. Im doing a school book design, it contains around 100pcs of Photoshop Tiff import in Freehand 11 file. Now just found that the Freehand 11 change all my Photoshop Tiff file name to other code when the name m
-
Failover from MPLS network to EIGRP network, need help.
I hope I explain this right. We are about to add an MPLS Circuit between HA and SA sites. Currently We have HA Connecting to AV site via ATM and SA connecting to AV site via Frame-relay. All routes are via EIGRP. From what we gather from MPLS you nee