Would like to wipe HD clean

I can't wip it clean
I would like to zero out my hard drive before Apple replaces it next week.
Please take a look "Here"
This will tell you what is wrong with my Hard drive -
Nothing works in Disk Utility - the iMac right now is working OK -

Did you use the system disc that originally came with your computer?
Erasing disks securely
Start up from your System install disc, go to Disk Utility and select the disk and click erase - to securely erase data click Security Options and Erase Free Space which will entirely wipe your disk, overwriting it with zeros so that no data is recoverable.

Similar Messages

  • I downloaded mountain lion onto my old mackbook pro, but would like to wipe it clean for my girlfriend, is there a way to wipe the computer clean, but still be able to keep mountain lion on it even though i already downloaded it?

    Hey everyone, I just got the new retina display macbook pro, and here is where the problem lays is with my old macbook pro. I am wanting to give it to my girlfriend, but want to wipe the computer clean so she can have the macbook the way she wants it. I already downloaded mountain lion and was wondering what I need to do in order to keep mountain lion, but wipe everything else? I do not have any of the CDs for the old Macbook pro

    To second baltwo's post:
    Your license for Mountain Lion (or any OS version purchased at the app store) is not transferable - you can use it on any Mac you own and control; however, someone else getting that machine means the recipient will need to purchase ML The SLA states that you must erase the drive and reinstall the original OS. You will need to call Apple for replacement install disks.
    If you leave ML on the machine, the recipient will never be able to reinstall the OS since the new Apple ID and machine ID no longer match.

  • I sold my Imac and would like to wipe it out but keep the major programs is that possible?

    I sold my Imac and I would like to wipe it out passwords and all but keep the programs that have been purchased, is that possible and how do you do it?

    Not really. You should just start clean.
    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.

  • I have a virus. I would like to wipe hard drive clean and re-boot osx. how do I do that?

    help?

    Well, if you want to erase and install here's how it is done:
    Install or Reinstall Mavericks, Lion/Mountain Lion from Scratch
    Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
    Boot to the Recovery HD:
    Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
    Erase the hard drive:
      1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
      2. 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.
      3. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on
          the Security button and set the Zero Data option to one-pass. Click on
          the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.
      4. Quit DU and return to the main menu.
    Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion, Mavericks: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion, Mavericks and click on the Install button.
    Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible
                because it is three times faster than wireless.

  • HT1338 I would like to perform a clean install on my macbook pro. I do not have the original disks that came the mac, however I know it was purchased in 2008.

    Upgrading MacBook Pro to new machine want to unistall. No disc.

    Strictly speaking you are supposed to supply the old discs with a computer since they are part of the computer package (for Macs at least).
    Call Apple Customer Support 1-800-767-2775 (telephone numbers for other countries - http://support.apple.com/kb/HE57). Provide the serial number and specifications of the Mac.  They may be able to provide a replacement set of discs for a fee.  These discs will be for whatever OS was installed on the computer originally.
    As far as your files are concerned, you can use another Mac or any retail version discs that will work in the old Mac to wipe the drive.  To be more specific it would help to know what computers and which discs you actually own.
    If you install an operating system (OS) on a Mac you also need to provide the discs (i'm talking about pre-OSX 10.7).
    I have seen Macs sold without the original OS discs.  If you do that then you at least need to provide the disc for the one on the computer.  I guess you could try to sell the computer without an OS but that might be hard.  If I was buying your computer I would want to see it boot, and I also might not want the hassle of getting an OS disc for it befre I could use it in any way.  You'd have to come down a bit to make it sell.
    Given all the above, I would still go with Snow Leopard.  The retail disc itself will be as cheap as the original.  The only things it might miss vs. the original will be bundled software (most of which will be outdated, though somebody might prefer older version to none) and perhaps the hardware test utility.  Having a slightly newer OS might make the computer more attractive.

  • Can I make a bootable DVD from the Mavericks download. I would like to wipe my iMac and start over.

    Can I make a bootable DVD from the app store download of Mavericks. I wish to wipe my iMac clean and start over
    thanks in anticipation

    Well you can make a bootable dvd this way:
    After downloading the Install OS X Mavericks.app file from the Mac App Store, run these 12 commands in Terminal to create a Mavericks.iso file and then burn it to a dual layer DVD with Disk Utility. You may then boot up from it by holding the option key down and then install mavericks. This will not install a recovery partition. To do that, uncompress and run the script file https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/13872235/Musings/Recovery%20Partition%20Crea tor%203.7.zip
    hdiutil attach /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Mavericks.app/Contents/SharedSupport/InstallESD.dmg -noverify -nobrowse -mountpoint /Volumes/install_app
    hdiutil convert /Volumes/install_app/BaseSystem.dmg -format UDSP -o /tmp/Mavericks
    hdiutil resize -size 8g /tmp/Mavericks.sparseimage
    hdiutil attach /tmp/Mavericks.sparseimage -noverify -nobrowse -mountpoint /Volumes/install_build
    rm /Volumes/install_build/System/Installation/Packages
    cp -rp /Volumes/install_app/Packages /Volumes/install_build/System/Installation/
    hdiutil detach /Volumes/install_app
    hdiutil detach /Volumes/install_build
    hdiutil resize -size `hdiutil resize -limits /tmp/Mavericks.sparseimage | tail -n 1 | awk '{ print $1 }'`b /tmp/Mavericks.sparseimage
    hdiutil convert /tmp/Mavericks.sparseimage -format UDTO -o /tmp/Mavericks
    rm /tmp/Mavericks.sparseimage
    mv /tmp/Mavericks.cdr ~/Desktop/Mavericks.iso

  • I would like to exchange the clean version of an album I bought for the explicit version.

    Is this even possible? If so how do I go about it?
    I emailed Apple support and it said i'd receive an email back within two days but it's been 4 days so I don;t think they're going to answer me.

    jsteezy27 wrote:
    Is this even possible? If so how do I go about it?
    I emailed Apple support and it said i'd receive an email back within two days but it's been 4 days so I don;t think they're going to answer me.
    Contact them again, and don't feel you have to back down so easily.  Nobody wants the Clean versions, and everybody knows it.  The Clean versions are only in the Store to give parents of young kids a warm fuzzy feeling. 
    The stats may show that some people buy the Clean versions, but in fact 99% of those cases are people who got it by mistake, just like yourself.
    Let us know how you make out.

  • Would like to do a clean install of XP and all the appropriate drivers.....

    Hi all....
    I run OS 10.6 and Windows XP via Fusion or occasionally via Boot Camp. Recently, I've tried to update some software on the Windows machine, but the installer repeatedly refuses to finish due to a "error in execution of USB drivers".
    It isn't clear what is causing this error, but since the only reason I use Windows at all is this specific software, I need to make it work.
    I'm considering doing a fresh install of XP. My question is what is the best way to do this??? Should I repartition the hard drive? If so, that necessitates reinstalling my entire Mac partition as well, correct?
    Is there a way to do a fresh install of XP without touching the Mac partition?
    Thanks
    Fabian

    Hi Fabian,
    first of: did you used your BootCamp Windows when creating the Fusion Windows VM ?
    If so, then deleting an recreating the BootCamp Windows would 'destroy' the Fusion Windows VM !!
    The BootCamp Assistant in OSX can revert back the former partitioning to one single OSX volume.
    Just run it and you should get that option.
    This repartitioning usually works without a hitch and without harming the OSX partition.
    However, personally I would never ever 'fumble' with partitions without having made a backup of my valuable OSX and files before.
    Regards
    Stefan

  • Just purchased a used iMac and need to wipe it clean.

    I just purchased a 2011 24" iMac used.  The previous owner did not remove anything.  I would like to wipe it clean before I run Time Machine from an external drive to load my programs, data etc.  What is the best way to wipe clean (completely clean) the iMac.  Also, would I be better off loading all of the programs from the original CD's rather than Time Machine?  I don't know if I could have picked up "stuff" over the years that I don't want brought to this newer machine.
    Also, I would like to upgrade to the latest OS Lion.  Should I do this first or after the wipe?
    Thanks!

    Did your iMac come with Lion (10.7) installed or did the seller buy that at the app store?
    If the seller purchased it, then you will need the original install DVDs (Snow Leopard), either from the seller or by calling Apple and giving them your serial number. The reason: the license for any OS or app obtained at the app store is not transferable - the seller is obligated to wipe the drive and reinstall the original system. The OS is tied to the Apple ID of the purchaser forever and you will never be able to reinstall.
    If it turns out yours came with Lion, the seller was supposed to call Apple and make a transfer of the OS to you.
    So, the first thing to do is to figure out which OS version it came with and, if you have the install disks (Snow Leopard), then use them to wipe the drive and reinstall the original system. After that, you can purchase Lion (or Mountain Lion) at the app store using your own Apple ID.

  • Wipe Tiger clean and install Leopard - Bootcamp impact?

    I have a Macbook Pro that I have been running bootcamp 1.4 for quite a while. The MBP is running Tiger 10.4.8 and has a few issues that has prevented me from applying latest updates. I would like to put Leopard on the MBP and would like to do a clean install (as Tiger is a bit mucked up), but am concerned that it may fry my bootcamp/XP configuration. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on the best, safest way to do this and still end up with a clean install of Leopard?
    tia,
    Bill

    Thanks for the quick reply.
    So I can basically just wipe the OS X partition, install Leopard, and still have access to my Windows partition?

  • I bought a used macbook, how to wipe it clean?

    I bought a used Macbook form a friend, Early 2008. SHe has removed most of her data, but things remain. We'd like to wip it clean, but I'm not sure the process to take to do that. 

    http://www.tuaw.com/2010/09/24/mac-101-preparing-your-old-mac-for-sale-or-recycl ing/.    This assumes that you recieved the mac with the 2 origional grey discs.  (Steps your friend should have followed before selling it to you) 

  • I would like to sell my G4. But first I would like to erase any information on the computer. How do I wipe it clean before selling?

    I would like to sell my G4. But first I would like to erase any information on the computer. How do I wipe it clean before selling?

    What OS version install disk sets do you have? ...OS 9.x, OS X 10.x...

  • Where are the currently open tabs stored - (windows totally crashed but files can still be retrieved, i got about 30 open tabs which I would like to get the URL's of before my dad wipes the drive)

    We used to have windows xp, but one day it just wouldnt load up. My dad has got windows 7 but before he wipes the old drive clean I would like to find my old open tabs
    It unexpectedly crashed so I still have about 30+ open tabs sitting somewhere on the hard drive and I have no clue where they are
    Does anyone know where they are stored, or if there is a file I can transfer over which stores the open tabs?

    C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile>\sessionstore.js
    Use editor that have Word wrap feature (notepad++ is good). Keep in mind that this is a ~1MB text file, so there's a lot of unneeded information for you and it could get really slow.
    Format is: [{"tabs": [{"entries": [{starting page},{next url},{next url}...], some data}, next entry (aka tab), next entry...}]. You need last url from each entry.
    Hope this helps.

  • Have an Apple TV device I have gone thru setup with and used.  Want to sell it now but concerned that it may store personal info that would be at risk if I sold it.  Should I be concerned?  Can I wipe it clean?

    I have an Apple TV device that I attached to my tv, went through the setup, and used for a couple of weeks.  I would like to sell the vice now, but I am concerned that it may in some way store personal info on it like the credit card no. that I would use for paying for movie rentals, etc.  Does this device store any personal info on it that would be at risk if I sold it to another person?  If so, is there some way I can wipe that info off of it? 
    The Macbook Pro and Apple TV were both bought from the Apple website in December so I assume they are the most recent models and operating system.
    Would appreciate any help.  Thanks.

    Settings > General > Reset > Restore, will wipe everything in preperation for resale.

  • Hi, I am going to reset my Macbook Pro to factory settings but I would like to back it up first. I have backed it up to an external Hard Drive so if I were to wipe the laptop, would i be able to retrieve all of my files and applications

    Hi, I am going to reset my Macbook Pro to factory settings but I would like to back it up first. I have backed it up to an external Hard Drive so if I were to wipe the laptop, would i be able to retrieve all of my files and applications. (Office Mac, Adobe CS6, Logic Pro)

    When OS X asks you to restore a backup, it will allow you to select what you want to restore from the backup, Just select the things you need, because if you select everything, you will be in the same status as before restoring the Mac to factory settings. This has nothing to do with erasing the hard drive
    It's OK to make backups with Time Machine

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