mna808

Q: How to securely erase everything off MacBook Pro (Without disk)?

I received this laptop a few years ago for my birthday. I can not find the disk that came with it. I'm currently giving away my laptop & do not want them to see any old files or information of mine.

How can I completely erase everything if I do not have a disk?

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Jun 24, 2015 10:11 PM

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Q: How to securely erase everything off MacBook Pro (Without disk)?

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  • by MadisonP,

    MadisonP MadisonP Jun 24, 2015 10:19 PM in response to mna808
    Level 5 (4,765 points)
    Jun 24, 2015 10:19 PM in response to mna808

    Greetings,

     

    Perform an Erase and Install: OS X: How to erase and install - Apple Support

    -- After reaching step 4, click Security options and choose to zero out the data: OS X: About Disk Utility's erase free space feature - Apple Support

     

    Hope that helps,

    Madison

  • by Kappy,Apple recommended

    Kappy Kappy Jun 24, 2015 10:20 PM in response to mna808
    Level 10 (271,133 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 24, 2015 10:20 PM in response to mna808

    To have the  disk fully secure you need the discs that came with it unless it did not originally come with any discs. If your model is 2011 or later then you can do the following:

     

    Install OS X Using Internet Recovery

     

    Boot to the Internet Recovery HD:

     

    Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND-OPTION- R keys until a globe appears on the screen. Wait patiently - 15-20 minutes - until the Recovery main menu appears.

     

    Partition and Format the hard drive:

     

    1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
    2. After DU loads select your newly installed hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. 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. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed. Quit DU and return to the main menu.

     

    Reinstall OS X: Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Install button. Be sure to select the correct drive to use if you have more than one.

     

    Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.

     

    This should restore the version of OS X originally pre-installed on the computer.

     

    If your computer came with installer discs, then you can purchase replacements from Apple Support:

     

    Apple Store Customer Service at 1-800-676-2775 or visit online Help for more information.

     

    To contact product and tech support: Contacting Apple for support and service - this includes

    international calling numbers.

     

    For Mac App Store: Apple - Support - Mac App Store.

    For iTunes: Apple - Support - iTunes.

     

    Or you can purchase Snow Leopard through the Apple Store: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.). The price is $19.99 plus tax. You will be sent physical media by mail after placing your order.

     

    After you install Snow Leopard you will have to 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. Access to the App Store enables you to download Mavericks if your computer meets the requirements.

     

    Once you have the required discs:

     

    Clean Install of Snow Leopard

     

         1. Boot the computer using the Snow Leopard Installer Disc or the Disc 1 that came

             with your computer.  Insert the disc into the optical drive and restart the computer.

             After the chime press and hold down the  "C" key.  Release the key when you see

             a small spinning gear appear below the dark gray Apple logo.

     

         2. 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 hard drive entry from the left side list (mfgr.'s ID and drive

             size.)  Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.  Set the number of

             partitions to one (1) from the Partitions drop down menu, click on Options button

             and select GUID, click on OK, then set the format type to MacOS Extended

             (Journaled, if supported), then click on the Apply button.

     

         3. When the formatting has completed quit DU and return to the installer.  Proceed

             with the OS X installation and follow the directions included with the installer.

     

         4. When the installation has completed your computer will Restart into the Setup

             Assistant. After you finish Setup Assistant will complete the installation after which

             you will be running a fresh install of OS X.  You can now begin the update process

             by opening Software Update and installing all recommended updates to bring your

             installation current.

     

         5. If you are planning to sell or give your computer away, then do the following:

     

            After you reformat your hard drive and reinstall OS X, the computer restarts to a

            Welcome screen and asks you to choose a country or region. If you want to leave

            the Mac in an out-of-box state, don't continue with the setup of your system. Instead,

            press Command-Q to shut down the Mac. When the new owner turns on the Mac,

            the Setup Assistant will guide them through the setup process.

     

    Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Jun 24, 2015 10:23 PM in response to mna808
    Level 10 (312,885 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 24, 2015 10:23 PM in response to mna808

    Click here and follow the instructions. If the computer originally shipped with Mac OS X 10.6.8 or earlier, when you reach step 5, insert its original disk, restart with the C or Option key held down, use the Disk Utility to erase the internal drive, and install a fresh OS.


    If the computer shipped with 10.7 or newer, you don't need and won't have a disk. Macs which shipped with an earlier OS version absolutely need a disk; for Intel Macs which shipped with 10.6.2 or earlier, a Mac OS X 10.6 DVD from the online Apple Store can also be used.


    (129208)

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jun 24, 2015 11:27 PM in response to Niel
    Level 10 (271,133 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 24, 2015 11:27 PM in response to Niel

    He stated he does not have any discs. Apparently, it's not clear how old the computer is, and whether it came with discs or not.