How do you wipe all personal info on a macbook but keep the applications on it?

Welll in order to erase ALL your personal ties to the machine, you will have to erase OS X, all your programs and files and install just OS X.

If you restore iLife from the AppStore, all AppStore software is copy protected and tied to your AppleID, the next guy can't update it then.

If you leave the programs, they have been tied to you somehow with copy protection/license keys etc.

If the next guy writes a threatening letter to a government official, it will have all your fingerprints on the file, especially Microsoft products.

So the best way is to wipe and install 10.7, the hand over the disks of software, let them register it etc., install iLife in their name with their AppleID etc.

How do I securely delete data from the machine?

You also could wipe and install 10.6 from the disks too, the free iLife is either on the 10.5 or 10.6 machine specific disks (Pacifist for 10.5 iLife extractions)

How to erase and install Snow Leopard 10.6

If this sounds terrible, it's unforunate this is the way things are going.

You would be glad you protected yourself if it turns out the next guy is a criminal or a terrorist, has a grudge etc.

JgorinacR1 wrote:

I want to be able to give the guy Lion so I would have to download it from the app store...

Nope, when you installed 10.7 it installed a Recovery HD partition that you can hold command and r keys down to boot the machine into and use that to erase the Macinstosh HD partiton with OS X, programs and files in it.

It reguires your AppleID and password, however 10.7 isn't copy protected.

So there is a record your the last to download Lion on that machine at Apple, but it's not tied to you specifically.

The 10.6 machine specific disk you have for your Early 2011 is worth money, you can eBay that seperately especially when Apple stops issuing them which could occur shortly if 10.8 is released, forcing those with 10.6.3-10.6.8 on their machines to buy a $69 10.7 USB and lose all their PPC based software in the process.

Early 2011 machines came with 10.6.4+, one can't use the 10.6.3 retail disks, only can be ordered from Apple.

Some who have 10.7 on a Early 2011 from Apple via the factory are also interested in your 10.6.4+ machine specific disk as it will allow them to install 10.6 which is faster and runs more software than 10.7

10.5 machine specific disks are getting over $100 on Amazon.com. So you see the later value perhaps.

JgorinacR1 wrote:

I'm thinking of just wiping my computer and reinstalling the OS X with the disc and then using migration assistant to transfer the applications. Will they still work though?

No, you can't migrate from a 10.7 TimeMachine or computer/drive to a 10.6 system.

Once you get 10.6 on the machine, you will have to provide the disks to the buyer for them to install, so they register with their name etc.

Remmeber the registration process when you installed the programs? That data was sent off to the developer and logged on the machine in copy protection.

So migrating or you reinstalling it will leave that info for the next buyer to abuse.

The system is rigged against you, either provide the disks or drop your asking price. Sell the 10.6.4+ disk seperatly if reinstalling 10.7

JgorinacR1 wrote:

I have to do is backup the computer and then hold down the command and r key and this will erase everything on the computer... All files, passwords saved in the keychain, bookmarks, browser history, etc? and applications :/

Holding command r while booting gets you into 10.7 Recovery partition.

where you then select Disk Utility, then the Macintosh HD partition, click Erase and then select the next to last or the last option on the right for secuirty erase

and when it's finished you quit and select the Lion installer, get online (fast reliable Internet) enter your AppleID and install Lion.

Reboot and don't set the machine up, it will stay in the " Welcome Video" for the next buyer when they boot.

Problem could be is if you have older install disks for third party software, then they might not install on 10.7

Since you upgraded 10.7 over 10.6, those programs were already installed.

Some older software doesn't run too well on 10.7 see this

http://roaringapps.com/apps:table

So if you deal the older program disks in, the next buyer could be ****** they can't install it, then want the 10.6.4+ machine specific disk you have.

JgorinacR1 wrote:

What do you mean a 10.7 TimeMachine to a 10.6 system?

Well your migrating from something correct? A backup like TimeMachine is now all 10.7, so you can't use that to migrate backwards to 10.6 machine.

I wouldn't mind reinstalling Lion for the guy because mountain lion is comming out next month.. He would upgrade to that with his own apple ID.... Meaning it would no longer be tied to me/use one of my registrations for Lion correct??

Correct, if he upgrades to 10.8, Apple's records will show that it was him that upgraded the machine to 10.8, thus if the Feds ask Apple, that's the information they will tell them, so all ties to you will be severed.

However the Feds are not stupid and won't just rely upon one piece of information, but if files are created in your name with your personal information (like if you kept the programs on there) then they could be coming around asking questions as there is more evidence.

I know you keep saying to give the discs but I'm pretty sure they are boot legged.

Well then you certainly don't want to include those as you don't know who you are selling too, it could be the Feds and you'll go to jail for software theft, sued etc., over a few lousy hundred dollars.

You'd gladly pay $1000 to get out of jail that first night when Bubba is looking at you with love in his eyes. 😁

As for miscrosoft office, I have the file that allowed me to download it (it was a volume licensed one I guess?) so there was no need for a serial number.

Are you sure? Microsoft funds some sort of anti-piracy organization that inspects businesses for compliance.

These applications are giving me $200 on the sale alone so its either $850 or $650...

Erase/install the machine with 10.7, drop your price and try selling it again with no software, then sell the 10.6.4+ disk seperately or as a paid addition to the 10.7 machine.

Some people don't want 10.6, others do. Some want both a Early 2011 AND 10.6 as they have a HUGE investment in PPC based software they don't want to give up, so they are looking for a Early 2011 with 10.6 like yours.

10.6 is the last OS X version on disk, so it's valuable,

I don't know where your trying to sell it , but try eBay with the combination.

10.7 Early 2011 Mac, just OS X Lion (no iLife)

x $$$ more for the 10.6 disks

the government/Feds are going to track someone down for passing on a computer with software on it? right. sounds extemely paranoid, people use cracked software all of the time. i suppose on a semi-official board this is the kind of response one will get. you do realize that the OP has already sold it with the software, unlikely hes going to back down now. also astronomically unlikely he will have any issues later.