KateEU wrote:
I have a 10 year old MacBook which I wanted to replace / not use it again - In recovery mode, disk utility I selected on the left - Internal - Macintosh HD volumes, and Erase . did this erase? It appeared to work ? Next I had on screen. Internal - Macintosh HD volumes - Macintosh HD (showing twice) - I selected and erased both individually (I believe ) - I now see. just Internal - Macintosh HD and Mac OS Base. I can't yet get it to install the suggested OS again in disk utility but thats ok - but with this process have I at least erased for archiving ? Thanks for your help.
Yes, it does sound like you've erased the data that was on the drive.
As our friend, @MrHoffman, has posted, to erase the drive media and prepare it for the reinstallation of macOS, you must select View > Show All Devices in Disk Utility, then select the drive media and erase that.
What you have already done has erased the volumes that were on the drive. That has erased your data, but not properly prepared the drive to have an OS installed.
If you simply plan to recycle the computer, there is no need to reinstall macOS, so you can call it good and done now.
If your plan is to sell the computer, then follow the guidance provided by @MrHoffman; both the "What to do..." and the "How to reinstall..." guidance.
