How to erase user data on OS 9?

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Level 1

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How to erase user data on OS 9?

I’m giving away an old iMac G3 from 1998, and since it’s still working perfectly fine and I don’t have the install CDs that came with it anymore, I don’t wanna format the hard drive (if I can avoid it, it will go to some collector where it will most likely collect more dust...). There’s nothing “embarrassing” on it nor anything that could be used in any way, however I would still prefer to erase all user data as reliably as possible, obviously. And I have forgotten almost all about OS 9.... Any tips on where to go look? (Besides the main folder). And was there a feature similar to the OS X safe erase feature?

eMac

Posted on Jan 14, 2021 7:54 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,319 points

Jan 15, 2021 12:15 PM in response to KurterinO

Hi,

The operating system does not have separate users in the way that Mac OS X has. Look for personal documents and other files that may have been saved in various folders on the hard disk. Move the documents and files to the Trash (do not forget to empty the Trash). In principle all Preferences files inside the System Folder can be deleted. If necessary, delete entire email (and other message) applications.

There was a Burn 2.5 utility that could be used to erase free space. Alternatively, repeatedly duplicate a large unimportant file until the hard disk is full (use one or more folders to hold all duplicated files). Finally, move the folder(s) to the Trash, and empty the Trash.

http://www.nic.funet.fi/index/mac/info-mac/_Disk_&_File/

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Answer 2

a brody

Level 10

85,366 points

Jan 15, 2021 11:26 AM in response to KurterinO

Not sure about the answer. But http://www.lowendmac.com/ is one place I would go to see if there is one.

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Answer 3

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,319 points

Jan 15, 2021 9:24 PM in response to KurterinO

You're welcome! I should add that the Burn 2.5 utility, according to the disk-abstracts.txt file (link above), has been tested with Mac OS 8.5 and HFS+. It ought to work with Mac OS 9 as well, though. Good luck!

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Answer 4

KurterinO Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 15, 2021 8:57 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

Thanks for the tip about the Preferences folder and the messages, I would have forgotten about them. I was a pretty proficient user of MacOS 7, 8 and 9, but it has been a while.... ;)

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Answer 5

KurterinO Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 16, 2021 9:44 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

Good to know, but I went with 'manual' process of filling the HD with data and erasing it, multiple times. Given the importance (or lack thereof) of the data, that's sufficient for me.

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How to erase user data on OS 9?

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