Will wiping clean my hard drive to factory settings get rid of malware?

I literally just bought a brand new macbook pro yesterday and I am ****** because i accidentally downloaded some fake adobe flash and now i have this persistent genieo malware that won't go away. I tried downloading their uninstaller which I'm pretty sure just further screwed me up and really shines my naivety. I am ****** because this is a brand new spanking computer and i already have a problem like this. Will resetting it to the factory settings solve this problem since i don't have anything on this computer i won't be losing anything. If so, can someone help me with this or link me to a place where i can get this fixed. Thanks guys!

Wiping the drive is unnecessary. Genieo is just adware. Run this script to remove it: http://thesafemac.com/art. If you don't want to download anything, remove it per the instructions at http://thesafemac.com/arg.

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Can I restore my iMac hard drive to factory settings without the install disc?

I have an older iMac running iOS X 10.5.8. with a 2GHZ processor. 1GB DDR SDRAM with a Power PC G5 chip
We want to restore the hard drive to original factory settings but don't have the OS X install disc. I have been searching online to find a disc, and can purchase one, but I want to know if I can do this without the install disc? We want to do this so I can give this computer to my nephew. I have already backed up all data.
Currently I have gotten as far as clicking on the "ERASE" tab in the disk utility, but the "Security Options" and "Erase" buttons are greyed out (cannot click on them). According to the Disk Utility help, the buttons are greyed out because I must start up using another disc, such as the Mac OS X install disc.
In addition, I DO have the Mac OS X install for my 13" MacBook Pro. Can I use this disc for the iMac?
Bottom line, I want to know if there is a work-around without having to purchase another start-up disk.
Thanks for your help.

We want to restore the hard drive to original factory settings but don't have the OS X install disc.
Why? Erase everything that isn't yours. Create a new id. Delete old id. Secure erase empty space on hd.
Once done, make a backup of the hd since the hd will fail eventually/soon.
Restore Tiger 10.4 & Leopard 10.5 DVDs may be available from Apple by calling 1(800) 275-2273. Have your serial number ready. Have your credit card ready too. There may be a small fee.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4720126?tstart=0 -- January 20,2013
https://discussions.apple.com/message/24588313#24588313 -- January 22,2014

If I ever wiped out my hard drive, how would I get everything back using time machine?

I will probably wipe out my hard drive eventually and I want to be prepared for it.

Pondini's Time Machine FAQ
Start reading to learn.
Time Machine - 101 Tutorial
Apple OSX and Time Machine Tips
Migrate Time Machine backup to new Mac in Lion
Basic Backup
Get an external drive at least equal in size to the internal hard drive and make (and maintain) a bootable clone/backup. You can make a bootable clone using the Restore option of Disk Utility. You can also make and maintain clones with good backup software. My personal recommendations are (order is not significant):
Carbon Copy Cloner
Data Backup
Deja Vu
SuperDuper!
Synk Pro
Tri-Backup
Visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on backup and restore. Also read How to Back Up and Restore Your Files.
Although you can buy a complete external drive system, you can also put one together if you are so inclined. It's relatively easy and only requires a Phillips head screwdriver (typically.) You can purchase hard drives separately. This gives you an opportunity to shop for the best prices on a hard drive of your choice. Reliable brands include Seagate, Hitachi, Western Digital, Toshiba, and Fujitsu. You can find reviews and benchmarks on many drives at Storage Review.
Enclosures for FireWire and USB are readily available. You can find only FireWire enclosures, only USB enclosures, and enclosures that feature multiple ports. I would stress getting enclosures that use the Oxford chipsets especially for Firewire drives (911, 921, 922, for example.) You can find enclosures at places such as;
Cool Drives
OWC
WiebeTech
Firewire Direct
California Drives
NewEgg
All you need do is remove a case cover, mount the hard drive in the enclosure and connect the cables, then re-attach the case cover. Usually the only tool required is a small or medium Phillips screwdriver.

Out of memory on hard drive but can't get rid of clips in Event Library

My hard drive has only 6gb left on it so I'm trying to free up space by deleting some of the clips in my Event Library. When I go to File - Move Rejected Clips to Trash, I get a message telling me there's not enough memory left to complete the operation. I have over 150 gb of material in the Event Library and most of the rest of the memory is used up in iPhoto. Also, previously, I tried to move a bunch of stuff to my external hard drive but had a horrible time recovering clips from it. Can you help?

Hi all... I had a very similar issue. I had a hard drive replaced by Apple on my iMac due to a total hard drive failure. I attempted to restore my last time machine back up through my time capsule but I get some type of sparse bundle package error. It appears that something is coming back from the back up as I only have about 180GB remaining space out of 1TB. Any advice? It appears that Apple had re-installed the latest version of Lion back to my hard drive. I'm completely distraught here as like Romantic Heretic, I have over a decade of information currently lost.
Any help with step by step directions would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks

What is up with all the gb's of "other" on my hard-drive, and how to get rid of it??

when i look at the overview of my hard-drives (i have 3, tb-sized internal hard-drives installed into my 2008 macpro) i see a lot of "other" in yellow.
anyone know what that is and how to remedy? it seems to me that a few hundred gigs of "other" is suspicious.
sorry, i have mountain lion OS not snow leopard, but i tagged it incorrectly

(10.6.8)
Can you please post a screen shot of where you are seeing the "yellow" in Snow Leopard OS or advise which app you are using for the "overview?"
*SOLUTION* When applications consume too much RAM
The Storage Display

Reformatting a WD hard drive to factory setting

How do you reformat a WD hard drive to factory settings/

I am having the same issues. I'm waiting to see what answers pop up. The manual says that TM backups are supported. Plugged in my TM backup drive, and nothing. Not seen in finder, not shown in Airport Utility/disks, nothing. I purchased this router partly because of TM support. Anyone?

Can i recover photo files lost when i wiped out my hard-drive and reinstalled mac os x?

Can i recover photo files lost when i wiped out my hard-drive and reinstalled mac os x? I know that when a computer is wiped cleaned that the info is still on the hard drive, how do I access it? Can I pay someone to access it? Long story short, everything was saved to my external hard drive except my photos, by mistake of course.

You have to stop using the drive immediately. Completely stop. Do not boot the computer from the drive.
File recovery software: Try using an application such as Data Rescue 3 - http://www.prosofteng.com/products/data_rescue.php or FileSalvage - http://subrosasoft.com, or one of the ones listed in the (old) link below. Some have free trial versions that let you see if the software will help before you decide to buy. You will also need a second hard drive equal to or larger in size than your first drive as a destination drive for recovered files.
http://data-recovery-software-review.toptenreviews.com/mac-recovery-software
It is critical that you do not use the computer or even turn it on until you have rescued your files. Files only have the directory reference to them removed when you empty the trash or otherwise delete them from a computer (unless you use secure erase, in which case they are gone forever or can only be potentially be recovered by very expensive means) and are still present on the computer. However, their space is marked as available to any other file creation done on the computer (even done by you booting the computer) and there is risk that your files will be overwritten by the computer.
Even if the above works, do not expect the results to be pretty or even 100% successful. Files will often lose their names and you will have to re-name them one by one.

System Profiler will not recognize installed hard drive if drive is in use by VMWare

System Information will not recognize installed Hard Drive (Boot Camp) when in use by VMWare.
I work in IT for a School District and I am creating a Script that system information about the computer. I am testing this on a Mac Pro with two internal hard drives. One drive is Mac OS 10.8 and the other drive is a Boot Camp Drive that is used by VMWare Fusion.
When I run System Information via the GUI or system_profiler via Terminal, both drives show up just fine. However, if I launch VMWare Fusion and run Windows from my Boot Camp drive, then run System Information via the GUI or system_profiler via Terminal, the Boot Camp Drive is no longer listed as an installed drive.
Example:
In the Terminal, I enter the following command.
system_profiler SPStorageDataType
Then it returns this information.
Storage:
    Lion Client:
      Available: 217.84 GB (217,836,306,432 bytes)
      Capacity: 639.28 GB (639,275,270,144 bytes)
      Mount Point: /
      File System: Journaled HFS+
      Writable: Yes
      Ignore Ownership: No
      BSD Name: disk0s2
      Volume UUID: CCB501BF-AF24-30E7-A938-5A4E52DF14D7
      Physical Drive:
          Media Name: WDC WD6400AAKS-41H2B0 Media
          Medium Type: Rotational
          Protocol: SATA
          Internal: Yes
          Partition Map Type: GPT (GUID Partition Table)
          S.M.A.R.T. Status: Verified
    BOOTCAMP:
      Available: 255.58 GB (255,575,560,192 bytes)
      Capacity: 319.79 GB (319,790,510,080 bytes)
      Mount Point: /Volumes/BOOTCAMP
      File System: NTFS
      Writable: No
      Ignore Ownership: Yes
      BSD Name: disk1s2
      Volume UUID: D4B39D4E-E244-403C-AE4D-4D58397130DE
      Physical Drive:
          Media Name: WDC WD6400AAKS-41H2B0 Media
          Medium Type: Rotational
          Protocol: SATA
          Internal: Yes
          Partition Map Type: GPT (GUID Partition Table)
          S.M.A.R.T. Status: Verified
Then I launch VMWare, which uses the Boot Camp drive. The once again run the same command from the Terminal Command and I get this.
Storage:
    Lion Client:
      Available: 213.39 GB (213,392,244,736 bytes)
      Capacity: 639.28 GB (639,275,270,144 bytes)
      Mount Point: /
      File System: Journaled HFS+
      Writable: Yes
      Ignore Ownership: No
      BSD Name: disk0s2
      Volume UUID: CCB501BF-AF24-30E7-A938-5A4E52DF14D7
      Physical Drive:
          Media Name: WDC WD6400AAKS-41H2B0 Media
          Medium Type: Rotational
          Protocol: SATA
          Internal: Yes
          Partition Map Type: GPT (GUID Partition Table)
          S.M.A.R.T. Status: Verified
The Boot Camp Drive is no longer listed.
I assume this is due to the the fact that the drive is "In Use" however is seems odd since the Mac drive is also in use and it appears without problem. I assume there is no "fix" for this, I was just wondering if someone may have an explaination why?
Also, I do realize that I can query the various interface types like system_profiler SPSerialATADataType to get all the properly installed phycial drives, but then I would have to query all possible interface types, isolate only devices containing Volumes, then consoldate the information to just the information that I need. I was hoping for a cleaner query.

Thank you for your response.
VMWare may be the cause, but the actual issue I am having is with Apple's System Information. I anticipated resistance from VMWare if I went to them with a question about an Apple software issue (even though VMWare software is part of the equation). I was trying to avoid the inevitable finger pointing game. I thought I would try with Apple Forums first since the issues presents itself within the Apple Software. However, you are correct that VMWare may have an explanation on why Fusion might be interfering with System Information. I will check with them next.
To answer your question. Yes, In most cases I do use Fusion to run Windows side-by-side with the Mac OS. However, that is not always the case. There are a few reasons why I have it setup using a Dual Boot configuration.
One, in some cases, due to the intense programs I occasionally run (graphic applications), I prefer to simply boot straight into Windows via Boot Camp so I may allocate all hardware resources to Windows. Additionally, some graphic applications like to have direct access to hardware and the extra layer of the VM environment can cause problems when an application is trying to directly access specific hardware like a graphics card.
Second, I often use either side, both Mac and PC, for testing. There is an advantage to not having to rely on the Mac OS to run Windows. If, for whatever reason, my Mac becomes unstable due to testing, I can still jump right into Windows to do work if necessary.
Third, I love the Mac OS, but I work in a PC centric organization. If there is a "problem" with my system, it is too easy for other system admins to say, "it's because it's a Mac". Having the definitive separation of the OS's allows me to prove that the Mac OS is not a factor.

Cleaning up hard drive

If i have imported video to iMovie and then created the DVD, can I delete the iMovie files without it affecting the iDVD? What is the normal procedure when creating a movie and then the iDVD for cleaning up hard drive space?

Generally the iDVD project references BACK to the iMovie project to get the footage and does not store its own copy of the footage in your iMovie. So if you delete the iMovie project, iDVD will not have access to the footage anymore, if you need to run iDVD again.
However, once you burn a DVD with iDVD, if you don't plan on making changes to the project, you can simply make new COPIES of the burned DVD rather than running iDVD to encode a new version. So in other words, keep a master DVD disc in the drawer and you can copy off of that with Disk Utility (or Toast) and trash both the iMovie and iDVD projects if you wish.
Patrick

Will iDVD recognize JVC Hard Drive Camcorder

I have a G4, and i am interested in purchasing a JVC Hard Drive Camcorder. I will be recording church services overseas, each being about 2 hours a night, six nights in a row. My main concern is getting the content from the camcorder to the computer. I believe it has USB connections, not FireWire. I do not need to make a movie in iMovie, because I have Final Cut Express, and any editing or movie making would be done in this program. Final Cut, says that it can use MPEG-2 format, but I want to be able to burn the content to a DVD, clean the hard drive, and record each service with the hard drive blank.
I have never used iDVD, or iMovie, because of Final Cut. So, the question is, do I need to take the G4, take a PC laptop that can burn DVDs, or just buy the DVD burning station for 200 bucks, that serves the DVD burning purpose? I am getting this camcorder, but I need to know what I will have to do to get it to a DVD, and then to Final Cut.
I also am aware that my sound quality may not be very good, because the JVC has no line inputs, so I would match up the video to an audio recording of the services if needed.
Please help and let me know what my options are, as well as the hurdles I will have to overcome.

This camera stores MPG-2 content on an internal hard drive that can only be accessed by USB-2. Thus, this camera is TOTALY unsuited for use with iDVD.
I am not a FCP user, but it doesn't appear that MPG-2 is a supported editable format. FCP5 says it does support Native long GOP MPEG-2 editing for HDV but I don't think that is what you will get from the JVC camera. You probably should ask your question on the FCP forum.
JVD does offer a direct to DVD option with its own hardware. This would leave you 'stuck' with the limited quality the camera captures.
Good luck.

I am trying to re-install Creative Suite 5.5 Design Standard on my Widows 7 Professional computer after I had to replace the hard drive. I keep getting error message and I get "Exit Code 15: Media DB Sync failed". I have run C Cleaner with same results. H

I am trying to re-install Creative Suite 5.5 Design Standard on my Widows 7 Professional computer after I had to replace the hard drive. I keep getting error message and I get "Exit Code 15: Media DB Sync failed". I have run C Cleaner with same results. Have Disabled UAC and Startup items and Services with no success. Please help - frustrated to no end. Can someone help me?

make sure you're using the adobe cleaner, not crap cleaner, Use the CC Cleaner Tool to solve installation problems | CC, CS3-CS6
copy the installation files to a desktop folder and install from there.

How do I clean my hard drive to re-sell without a working disc drive?

I have macbook pro snow leopard. I wanted to clean my hard drive so all my files, informaion, and password get deleted so I can re-sell it. The problem is even though I have the installation disc, my disc drive isn't working... I tried putting my usb disc drive I got from apple, but the computer can't recognize it.
Is there anyway I can clean my hard drive without having to use a disc drive?

The easiest way to erase the HDD on the older MBP is to connect it to your newer MBP with a Firewire cable and set up Target disk mode. Open Disk Utility>Erase on the controlling MBP and erase the Target MBP HDD.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ph3838
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1661
This way, no DVD drive, external or internal, is needed.
Ciao.

Currently have 30K pics on PC Win. 7 laptop using PSE 8, corrected issues and did full backup on portable hard drive plus saved (Extensive) Keyword tags to file. Installed PSE 13 on PC Win 8.1 laptop. Will attach same portable Hard drive to new laptop.

Currently have 30K pics on PC Win. 7 laptop using PSE 8, corrected issues and did full backup on portable hard drive plus saved (Extensive) Keyword tags to file. Installed PSE 13 on PC Win 8.1 laptop. Will attach same portable Hard drive to new laptop. How do I import prev Keyword Tags from file and Restore catalog from port. HD to new PC and in what order? I have not opened PSE 13 on new PC yet. Would like to do it right the first time!

No importing needed.
See these instructions: Use Backup, Restore to move catalog | Organizer | Elements 6 or later

I need to recycle my old G3-how do I clean the hard drive on a 9.2 system before recycling it.??

Any tips on how to get rid of all my data on hard drive before the recyler gets it?
My system is 9.2 its an old g3 mac.

I disagree with your choice of a solution.
1) The answer does not mention removing the platters that contain the data from the drive, so I guess you'll just smash the whole unit. I don't know how recyclers operate in detail but making a mess of the drive will likely make it more difficult (impossible?) for the recycler to isolate the components that are hazardous or valuable. I could give you a bag of food and you could pick out the canned items, but if I run over the bag with a car a couple of times you would likely just throw the whole lot in the trash.
2) Removing a drive and taking out the platters would take you just as long as booting it up, erasing it with write zeros in Drive Setup while you do something else.
3) Some people can actually make use of a non-pulverized old drive. There are still people around who run G3s and look for compatible drives, especially if they are free. I know our local waste dropoff place also has a pickup area where you can look for things you can use, including electronics. The last couple of G3s I wanted gone I just posted on Craigslist and I had several takers (as recently as 6 months ago).

I have iMovie 09. I just erased my external hard drive, but it is still formatted for the mac. However, iMovie will not recognize the hard drive. It shows the only hard drive available is the computers. How do I get the external hard drive to show up?

I have iMovie 09. I just erased my external hard drive, but it is still formatted for the mac. However, iMovie will not recognize the hard drive. It shows the only hard drive available is the computers. How do I get the external hard drive to show up?

In Finder's Menu, select Go menu>Go to Folder, and go to "/volumes". (no quotes)
Volumes is where an alias to your hard drive ("/" at boot) is placed at startup, and where all the "mount points" for auxiliary drives are created for you to access them. This folder is normally hidden from view.
Drives with an extra 1 on the end have a side-effect of mounting a drive with the same name as the system already think exists. Try trashing the duplicates with a 1 or 2 if there are no real files in them, and reboot.
If it does contain data...
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2474

Will wiping clean my hard drive to factory settings get rid of malware?

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