Clearing down iMac before selling

Question

Clearing down iMac before selling

I'm trying to get my 2008 iMAC ready for selling. I have previously erased the disk and re-installed from the Snow Leopard Install disc. I have done this previously and was able to then update the software to El Capitan 10.11.6. However, now that I have cleared it down again (to remove my account details) and re-installed again from disk, Software Update refused to find any software and in fact I can't connect to Software Update. Without a later version of the OSX software I can't use recovery mode to erase the disk again. I'm wondering what I might have done wrong this time around. Do I need to login to my Apple ID in order to use Software Update?

iMac, OS X 10.11

Posted on Sep 20, 2023 9:26 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Niel

Community+ 2026

Level 10

748,927 points

Sep 20, 2023 9:57 AM in response to Mountaindreamer

Click here, update it to 10.6.8, and leave it at that. Anything newer than that will be tied to an Apple ID after being installed and should be done by the buyer.

(244729)

Reply

Answer 2

BDAqua

Level 10

251,359 points

Sep 25, 2023 6:08 AM in response to Mountaindreamer

Use a Wired USB KB & Mouse.

If you don't have the original 10.5.x install DVD(s), you could inatall 10.11.6 on an external drive...

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

https://itunes.apple.com/app/os-x-el-capitan/id1147835434?ls=1&mt=12

http://updates-http.cdn-apple.com/2019/cert/061-41424-20191024-218af9ec-cf50-4516-9011-228c78eda3d2/InstallMacOSX.dmg

Reply

Answer 3

Niel

Community+ 2026

Level 10

748,927 points

Sep 21, 2023 6:12 AM in response to Mountaindreamer

Restart with the DVD in the drive, press C or Option, and use the Disk Utility to erase the hard drive. Alternatively, throw the files containing that information away and securely empty the Trash.

(244768)

Reply

Answer 4

Niel

Community+ 2026

Level 10

748,927 points

Sep 25, 2023 7:56 AM in response to Mountaindreamer

1. Select the DVD in the Startup Disk pane of System Preferences.

2. Don't install El Capitan.

BDAqua: The Mac App Store version of El Capitan doesn't work because of a certificate issue and shouldn't be referred to.

(244960)

Reply

Answer 5

Sep 21, 2023 3:27 AM in response to Niel

Thanks Niel, I have updated with the 10.6.8 Update Combo. However, there is still personal information on the Mac so if possible i'd like to erase HD and re-install (again). How do I do that without Recovery mode?

Reply

Answer 6

Sep 25, 2023 7:50 AM in response to BDAqua

Thanks, my problem is that I have installed a version of Snow Leopard from disc, but cannot now re-install, as I can't access Disk Utility to erase the disc. I need to erase the HD before re-installing or installing El Capitan?

Reply

Answer 7

Sep 25, 2023 1:33 AM in response to Niel

My 2008 iMac doesn't respond to the C or Option key on start up, so I haven't been able to get into Disk Utility. Any ideas?

Reply

Answer 8

BDAqua

Level 10

251,359 points

Sep 25, 2023 8:33 AM in response to Niel

Thanks Niel. :)

Reply

Clearing down iMac before selling

Similar questions