Can I erase my iMac content without a mouse and keyboard?

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Level 1

8 points

Can I erase my iMac content without a mouse and keyboard?

I am about to buy a new iMac or laptop. Old iMac mouse and keyboard do not connect. I changed batteries etc. how can I erase contents before I recycle. TIA

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Jun 17, 2021 10:20 AM

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Answer 1

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D.I. Johnson

Level 7

23,489 points

Jun 17, 2021 10:30 AM in response to Anitawww

Beg or borrow a wired keyboard and mouse, even from a friend with a pc.

For info about using windows keyboard on a Mac, See this:

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/windows-keys-on-a-mac-keyboard-cpmh0152/mac

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Answer 2

Jun 17, 2021 10:56 AM in response to Anitawww

🤣

Whatever you do, don't jump in the tub with it!

Meanwhile, see if you can get it to boot into Safe mode. Here's how:

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/start-up-your-mac-in-safe-mode-mh21245/mac

If this works, just log into your account and then shut the machine down normally ( > Shut Down...) and then try your recovery reboot again.

If you can't quite get there, try a PRAM/NVRAM or SMC reset. Here are links for:

NVRAM reset - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063

SMC reset - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

You may have to do the SMC reset several times before it "takes". Or maybe that the NVRAM? I have trouble keep ing that straight. Do them both several times!

🤞🏽

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Answer 3

Anitawww Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 17, 2021 10:35 AM in response to D.I. Johnson

Thank you. That was my 1st instinct. Now that I turned the iMac on the thermometer bar just hangs and it won’t boot up anyway. My next idea is to just soak it in the bathtub before I recycle :-) and no I’m not kidding. Thanks for your help.

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Can I erase my iMac content without a mouse and keyboard?

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