karlssongunvor

Q: How do I delete everything off of my hard drive?

I have an old iMac computer(from 2008), and I would like to delete the contents on my hard drive. Is there a way of doing this, and can  It be done without deleting the operating system?

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Sep 20, 2016 11:24 AM

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Q: How do I delete everything off of my hard drive?

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  • by BDAqua,Apple recommended

    BDAqua BDAqua Sep 21, 2016 4:38 AM in response to karlssongunvor
    Level 10 (123,775 points)
    Sep 21, 2016 4:38 AM in response to karlssongunvor

    It can't be done easily without deleting the OS, but...

     

    Boot holding CMC-r & use Disk utility there, CMD+r should have an option to reinstall the OS after erasing the boot drive.

     

    Or...

     

    Open System Preferences>Accounts, unlock the lock, click on the little plus icon, make a new admin account, log out & into the new account.

    In the same pref pane highlight your old account, click the little minus icon, then use Disk Utility to Secure Erase Free Space.

  • by karlssongunvor,

    karlssongunvor karlssongunvor Sep 21, 2016 4:53 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 21, 2016 4:53 AM in response to BDAqua

    Thanks for the advice. It is much appreciated. If I should choose to delete my operating system as well(which I assume is done on the erase tab in the utilities folder under disk utility), what kind of disk will I need to establish the operating system in the computer again. I may have the original disk for my 2008 iMac to  download it. I also have a very large set of 14 CD-Rom disks which I believe will re-establish the operating system and probably much more........I am not exactly sure what they are for, but I am assuming that they provide all the software for the computer. Perhaps you can tell me what these might be. In any event, with such an old operating system, I may  not be able to upgrade. Should I choose to download El Kapitan, for instance, would this be possible  without any earlier OS's,  disks, or changes?

  • by BDAqua,Helpful

    BDAqua BDAqua Sep 23, 2016 4:55 PM in response to karlssongunvor
    Level 10 (123,775 points)
    Sep 23, 2016 4:55 PM in response to karlssongunvor

    If you boot holding CMD+r, you can erase the Disk there & Reinstall 10.10, or whatever it is at now.

     

    If you provide the 2z691-****-A numbers of the Discs I may ve able to tell from those.

  • by karlssongunvor,

    karlssongunvor karlssongunvor Sep 23, 2016 5:16 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 23, 2016 5:16 PM in response to BDAqua

    The reason I want to delete  the hard drive is that it is broken, and needs to be replaced. I don't want to  pay it right  now, but thought I might get some temporary use out of the old iMac, If I choose to erase the hard drive.........and use a disc to  put  the OS back on it. I have a MacOSX Snow Leapard install DVD, version 10.6.3....number 2Z691-6634-A......also have the Panther version 10.3 install disk....number 2Z691-5133-A........When I double-click to open the download folder it comes up with the Terminal utility....it reads.... downloads-bash-80x24.......I was hoping to correct the download problem, and to be able to download software,  but I am concerned that, if I try to download a new operating system, it may not be possible.

     

    I wonder what you make of it, as I am not an experienced  computer user........appreciate a return reply...

  • by karlssongunvor,

    karlssongunvor karlssongunvor Sep 28, 2016 4:25 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 28, 2016 4:25 PM in response to BDAqua

    Thanks for the much advice........it  has been very helpful. I will erase the hard drive and reinstall the OS......and see what happens. It's worth a try.......maybe save the computer for some other time to replace the hard drive.........

     

    Thanks again, Andrew.