HT201065: What to do before selling or giving away your Mac

Learn about What to do before selling or giving away your Mac
jtgeller

Q: I was given an iMac, which i used and upgraded to El Capitan.  I don't know what the original OS on the iMac was.  I went through steps 1-5, but the only option I had was to reinstall OS X with my applestore credentials. What should I do?

I was given an iMac, which i used and upgraded to El Capitan.  I don't know what the original OS on the iMac was.  I went through steps 1-5 of "what to do before selling or giving away your Mac, but the only option I had for reinstall was with my applestore credentials. What should I do? Is there a way to go back to the "original" OS of the iMac?

iPhone 4S, iOS 8.2

Posted on Aug 21, 2016 9:05 PM

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Q: I was given an iMac, which i used and upgraded to El Capitan.  I don't know what the original OS on the iMac was.  I wen ... more

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  • by K Shaffer,Apple recommended

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Aug 21, 2016 9:28 PM in response to jtgeller
    Level 6 (14,279 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 21, 2016 9:28 PM in response to jtgeller

    Depending on the vintage of the computer, the OS X on DVD media

    that was originally included when new, with the Mac, would be the

    correct install-restore disc set to include with the computer if or when

    it was sold, traded, or given away.

     

    Usually an older computer that has been upgraded via the path of

    OS X 10.6.8 (via install DVD, to access Mac App Store, & upgrade)

    has to use the disc media method. If the old computer shipped

    with a Mac OS X prior to Snow Leopard 10.6, then retail install disc

    http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard

    DVD for Snow Leopard 10.6.3 would need to be purchased from

    the Apple store online. The cost is approximately $20. Further update

    to that system is available via Software Update. Beyond that, the

    upgrade path is by the Mac App Store and use of a users AppleID.

     

    Some models of Mac shipped with a machine series specific 10.6

    system disc that has a grey color label; that install-restore disc is

    key (if missing, call Apple w/ product serial number; ask, to buy it.)

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by jtgeller,

    jtgeller jtgeller Aug 22, 2016 11:41 AM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 22, 2016 11:41 AM in response to K Shaffer

    Thank you so much for your reply.  I will look into your suggestions.  A follow-on question is what happens if I sell the iMac with OS X installed from my AppleID?  Are there any security risks? 

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Aug 22, 2016 10:47 PM in response to jtgeller
    Level 6 (14,279 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 22, 2016 10:47 PM in response to jtgeller

    If these instructions cannot work, you'd need to see if the Mac

    shipped with OS X on DVD media, & start over from old version.

     

    How to reinstall OS X - Apple Support

     

    You would revert the computer to an original OS X, for older models

    that would mean start-up from install restore DVD media included

    with the computer; for later models that can use Internet Recovery

    the original download could be installed without AppleID affiliation.

     

    {And this means you do not sell an associated product with your

    AppleID attached; no upgraded computer should be sold/given up

    without being reverted to an original OS it came with; & ID removed.}

     

    So the new owner would be able to restore a new OS X installation

    either way, solely depending on what vintage of computer yours is.

     

    This is why the original discs or newer retail full install DVD media

    that is supported by the build model hardware is include in re-sale.

    Or the user has to contact Applecare or sales support to buy the

    replacement install restore it shipped with; or a newer S.L. 10.6.3.

     

    And those newest models which have no optical drive and that did not

    ship with install restore System DVD media discs, use Internet Recovery.

     

    Certain fringe models were able to see upgrade firmware to use Internet

    based Recovery. Helps to restore when the owner needs to get the last

    upgrade version installed. But this is where a disassociation with AppleID

    is important; the Internet Recovery uses AppleID and MacAppStore info.

     

    Since you are a new owner, and the unit shipped with an OS X on disc media

    the path is to use the optical drive and restore a new system using DVDs. So

    no software associated with your AppleID can be included, because the new

    owner has to use their AppleID to upgrade/update, to own or use it online.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Aug 24, 2016 8:11 AM in response to jtgeller
    Level 7 (31,893 points)
    iPad
    Aug 24, 2016 8:11 AM in response to jtgeller

    A follow-on question is what happens if I sell the iMac with OS X installed from my AppleID?  Are there any security risks?

     

     

    Here is an excerpt from the software licensing agreement which will explain what you must do if/when you sell your Mac:

     

    B. If you obtained your license to the Apple Software from the Mac App Store, it is not transferable.  If you sell your Apple-branded hardware to a third party, you must remove the Apple Software from  the Apple-branded hardware before doing so, and you may restore your system to the version of the Apple operating system software that originally came with your Apple hardware (the “Original Apple OS”) and permanently transfer the Original Apple OS together with your Apple hardware, provided that: 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, full or partial, including copies stored on a computer or other storage device; and (iii) the party receiving the Original Apple OS reads and agrees to accept the terms and conditions of the Original Apple OS license.


    from here:

     

    http://images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/OSX1011.pdf

     

    So, since you must erase your hard drive and reinstall the original OS only, there are no security risks.