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Disposing of 2010 27” iMac securely

I will be removing my self-installed SSD hard drive from the 27 inch iMac and using it inside an external case to be attached to my new MacBook Pro. I may also remove the iMac’s RAM chips.


The above brings up a couple of questions


1. Will the remaining shell of the iMac - without Hard drive or RAM - have any possibility of still containing personal data inside it?

2. If I forget to first de-authorize that hard drive from iTunes would I be able to do it after the fact from its external case?

3. If I do first de-authorize it from iTunes is there anything else I should de-authorize such as iCloud or other?

4. My intention is for it to remain in its original state and from its new external case be able to boot from it if necessary to conduct any maintenance on the MacBook Pro

5. Last question how do I dispose of the remaining hardware? Is it then like any other recyclable trash?


hope the above makes sense and thank you very much in advance for any suggestions anyone may have

iMac 27″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Jun 6, 2020 12:39 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 6, 2020 12:52 PM

  1. Nope all of your data is on that drive.
  2. Should not matter, if you are using the same user ID.
  3. Again, it should not matter if you are using the same user ID.
  4. Sorry no, because a new Mac computer can not boot into or run an older macOS.
  5. Do a Google Search for electronics recyclers in your area. (some here actually pay a few cents per pound)

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4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 6, 2020 12:52 PM in response to DHodges

  1. Nope all of your data is on that drive.
  2. Should not matter, if you are using the same user ID.
  3. Again, it should not matter if you are using the same user ID.
  4. Sorry no, because a new Mac computer can not boot into or run an older macOS.
  5. Do a Google Search for electronics recyclers in your area. (some here actually pay a few cents per pound)

Disposing of 2010 27” iMac securely

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