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erase all data on mac

i have recently purchased a new MacBook Air and want to erase my old one to possibly sell it. I don’t think I erased it properly as I now have a folder with a flashing question mark when I start up my Mac. When I get into MacOS recovery it won’t allow me to reinstall MacOS or repair my startup disk. I can not access the laptop and not sure if I have done something wrong that won’t allow me to sell..

MacBook Air

Posted on Jul 16, 2020 7:12 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 16, 2020 7:23 PM

Why won't it allow you to reinstall the OS? Have you tried booting into Internet Recovery to see if you can reinstall the OS?


Try booting into Internet Recovery (command - option/alt - R on a restart). It is a slow process. This will install the newest OS that the computer is compatible with. Reformat the drive using Disk Utility/Erase Mac OS Extended (Journaled), then click the Option button and select GUID. Quit Disk Utility. Then install the OS.


OS X Recovery.    


OS X Recovery (2).    



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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 16, 2020 7:23 PM in response to jp963

Why won't it allow you to reinstall the OS? Have you tried booting into Internet Recovery to see if you can reinstall the OS?


Try booting into Internet Recovery (command - option/alt - R on a restart). It is a slow process. This will install the newest OS that the computer is compatible with. Reformat the drive using Disk Utility/Erase Mac OS Extended (Journaled), then click the Option button and select GUID. Quit Disk Utility. Then install the OS.


OS X Recovery.    


OS X Recovery (2).    



erase all data on mac

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