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How can I tell that my disk was deleted?

I’ve erased a disk from my MacBook Pro (or so I think), because it is not functioning probably needs a new hard drive which I don’t want to deal with, and I am now selling it. It’s been erasing for the last 12-14 hours (I chose the high security method), and now appears to be done. How can I be sure it’s been erased? It was called 500.11 GB APPLE HDD etc. And is it ok that the Mac OS X base system and that disk is still on there? I can’t delete that one so I think it must be the operating system that the person has to have on there to use it. Right? How do I know that I did this correctly and the person I’m selling it to can’t get my personal info?

Posted on Oct 8, 2019 6:18 AM

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Question marked as Best answer

 KaylaP1993


Thanks for getting back to us. Since you can't get boot your Mac, you can use Find My iPhone on iCloud.com to sign out of your Mac: Remove a device from Find My iPhone on iCloud.com. See the section "Remove a device you no longer have".


From what you are describing it sounds like your disk is erased: How to erase a disk for Mac. The Base System would not be erased. If you still have concerns, try starting up with internet recovery.  


To manually start up from macOS Recovery over the Internet use one of these start up key combinations.


"Option-⌘-R

Upgrade to the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.


Shift-Option-⌘-R

Reinstall the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available."


This will certainly wipe your drive while installing another macOS fresh for the next user (assuming the drive allows boot up).


Have a great day!

  

Posted on Oct 11, 2019 7:41 AM

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4 replies

Oct 9, 2019 6:21 PM in response to KaylaP1993

Hi  KaylaP1993,


Thanks for coming to Apple Support Communities for help today with erasing your MacBook Pro hard drive.


If the MacBook Pro drive is erased, the MacBook is going to start up like a new Mac would and begin directing you to set it up.


As long as you have followed these steps: What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac you should have no issues.


Have a fantastic day!


Oct 9, 2019 6:21 PM in response to KaylaP1993

Hi  KaylaP1993,


Thanks for coming to Apple Support Communities for help today with erasing your MacBook Pro hard drive.


If the MacBook Pro drive is erased, the MacBook is going to start up like a new Mac would and begin directing you to set it up.


As long as you have followed these steps: What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac you should have no issues.


Have a fantastic day!


Question marked as Best answer

Oct 11, 2019 7:41 AM in response to KaylaP1993

 KaylaP1993


Thanks for getting back to us. Since you can't get boot your Mac, you can use Find My iPhone on iCloud.com to sign out of your Mac: Remove a device from Find My iPhone on iCloud.com. See the section "Remove a device you no longer have".


From what you are describing it sounds like your disk is erased: How to erase a disk for Mac. The Base System would not be erased. If you still have concerns, try starting up with internet recovery.  


To manually start up from macOS Recovery over the Internet use one of these start up key combinations.


"Option-⌘-R

Upgrade to the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.


Shift-Option-⌘-R

Reinstall the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available."


This will certainly wipe your drive while installing another macOS fresh for the next user (assuming the drive allows boot up).


Have a great day!

  

How can I tell that my disk was deleted?

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