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Abandonnez
Level 1 (5 points)

Q: Many questions revolving around selling my Mac

Hello, I have owned my Mac years, since the time it was first shipped out (The Intel Core Two Duo version at least) and I was just wondering if I could have a couple questions answered.



1. How can I safely transfer all of the data to an external HDD, then delete it from the main internal HDD?
---I've heard that I should reinstall Mac OSX and Zero out all the data, is this solution correct?



2. Can I install a new copy of Mac OSX (Tiger, then Leopard, then S.Leo) on a blank HDD that I buy from the store if choose to? If so can someone walk me through the process?



3. This could be the easiest to answer. How much should I sell my computer for? These are my computer's specs.

HardWare
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.16 GHz
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 1 GB (2x 512MB DDR2 SDRAM)
Bus Speed: 667 MHz
SATA: 250GB 1.5Gigabit
Disc Burn: CD/DVD
Graphics
Chipset Model: ATY,RadeonX1600
Type: GPU
Bus: PCIe
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Total): 128 MB
Resolution: 1680 x 1050
Pixel Depth: 32-Bit Color (ARGB8888)
Screen Width: 20"

iMac G5 Intel Duo (White) 20", Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Mar 1, 2010 4:39 PM

by Kappy,Solvedanswer
Kappy Kappy
Level 10 (271,860 points)
Desktops
A:
I haven't a clue. You can visit EveryMac.com, find your model, then see what they suggest it's worth. I suspect there may be other sites that provide guesstimates.

Posted on Mar 1, 2010 8:09 PM

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Abandonnez

Q: Many questions revolving around selling my Mac

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Kappy,Helpful

    Kappy Kappy Mar 1, 2010 6:37 PM in response to Abandonnez
    Level 10 (271,860 points)
    Desktops
    Mar 1, 2010 6:37 PM in response to Abandonnez
    Follow these instructions step by step to prepare a Mac for sale:
    .
    First, back up the data:

    1. Shut down all Virtual PCs. They cannot be in their "fast saved" state. They must be shut down from inside Windows.
    2. Clone to an external drive using using Restore option of Disk Utility.

    Next, prepare the machine for the new buyer:

    3. Deauthorize the computer in iTunes! Deauthorize both iTunes and Audible accounts.
    4. Remove Open Firmware passwords
    5. Turn the brightness full up and volume nearly so.

    Install a fresh OS:

    6. Insert the OS X install CD/DVD.
    7. Restart the computer while holding down the C key to boot from the CD/DVD.
    8. Run Disk Utility from the file menu and erase the internal hard drive (optionally zero all data).
    9. Install OS X.
    10. Reboot the computer.
    11. From the welcome screen, you can skip the registration step by typing command-Q.
    12. When prompted, create an account (it will be an admin account).
    13. From your new admin account, configure networking.
    14. Then use Software Update to bring your system and all of it's applications up to date.
    15. From Disk Utility, repair permissions on the new volume.

    Now delete the account you just created:

    16. Boot from a different volume (e.g. a firewire drive, if available)
    17. Clean up the image using the following terminal commands:

    prompt> rm /Volumes/<imagevol>/var/db/BootCache.playlist
    prompt> rm /Volumes/<imagevol>/var/db/volinfo.database
    prompt> rm -r /Volumes/<imagevol>/var/vm/swap*

    18. Now you can get rid of the admin account you used to set up the machine Use the terminal:

    prompt> nicl -raw /Volumes/<imagevol>/var/db/netinfo/local.nidb -delete /users/<admin>
    prompt> rm -r /Volumes/<imagevol>/Users/<admin>
    prompt> rm /Volumes/<imagevol>/var/db/.AppleSetupDone

    19. Shut down and ship it to your buyer. When they get it, it will boot to the Welcome screen just like a factory Mac, except that it's better because it's completely up to date.

  • by Abandonnez,

    Abandonnez Abandonnez Mar 1, 2010 7:58 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mar 1, 2010 7:58 PM in response to Kappy
    This answer is extremely helpful thank you!

    I have one other follow up question that you can answer or not, I guess it might merely be based on opinion, but what do you think I should be putting the computer up for? I have checked various sites like amazon, ebay, craigslist, etc, but it doesn't seem that anyone is selling a model like mine. So if you have any guidance it would be well appreciated.

  • by Kappy,Solvedanswer

    Kappy Kappy Mar 1, 2010 8:09 PM in response to Abandonnez
    Level 10 (271,860 points)
    Desktops
    Mar 1, 2010 8:09 PM in response to Abandonnez
    I haven't a clue. You can visit EveryMac.com, find your model, then see what they suggest it's worth. I suspect there may be other sites that provide guesstimates.