HT1820: Mac OS X: How to zero all data on a disk

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Jldejong

Q: Erase disc won't let me highlight secure erase

I am returning my new imac, and need to make sure I erase all my personal and input data.  In Utilites, the erase option is grayed out.  What should I do to make sure it's all erased?

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2), Not sure if this is mountain lion

Posted on Feb 24, 2013 3:12 PM

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Q: Erase disc won't let me highlight secure erase

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  • by Niel,Helpful

    Niel Niel Feb 24, 2013 3:27 PM in response to Jldejong
    Level 10 (311,939 points)
    Feb 24, 2013 3:27 PM in response to Jldejong

    You need to run it from the preloaded recovery partition(press the Command and R keys at startup). If the computer's using an SSD, the regular erase is enough; no secure erasure options will be available at the partition level.

     

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