imac recall of Seagate drive

Yes, you need to definitely erase everything on that drive - AFTER you make a full backup of course. If you use CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper to make a bootable clone on an external drive, you can simply clone the entire thing back when you get the machine back. Using a bootable clone would be the easiest; I can't answer the question about Time Machine because I don't use it.

I was told today at the genius bar that the same operating system that was on the old drive will be on the new drive. When you start up your computer you will have the option to restore from time machine.

I am going to wipe my drive prior to the repair. You will need to boot from your original install disk and then run disk utility, erase. I plan to use the secure erase feature that writes zeros a number of times on the data. I don't know how long that will take. Anyone know?

Well, the instructions specifically note that you must have your original install disks, so I'm not sure if they will actually update. This is what it says:

You will need to have the original Mac OS installation discs that were shipped with your iMac in order to reinstall your operating system, other applications, and any backed up data after your hard drive is replaced.

FWIW, the Genius will not be working on the machines - a repair shop (most likely independent) will. So it'd be best to check with whomever will actually be doing the work.

I specifically asked the question about the OS. I asked if I would have to go from SL to Lion again and was told that they will do that part of it. My data, apps will be my responsibility.

Well, that's great. Personally, I don't care what they will put on there - I will be wiping it regardless and cloning my system back to it.

See this other thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4449562?tstart=0.

I'd never depend on TM without restoring it. Better, IMO, for this situation is to make a bootable clone of your current installation onto a FWHD, test it by booting with it, wiping the int HD, putting a virgin OS onto it, let them replace it, and after getting it back, rewipe and restore the clone. No mucking with Lion, ML, or cloudy stuff. Everything works as it does now. It's also the fastest way back to where you are now.

Agree 100% with baltwo's suggestion - I will have a current bootable clone and test it; then boot from the original install disk, erase the drive and install the plain jane basic OS on it (don't update) with an easy ID and password so you can give that to the repair people. When I get it back, I won't care what they've installed on it - as long as I get my install disk back!!!! - because I will boot from my clone, wipe the internal drive, and simply clone my system back. Everything will be as I had it. Done.

I will do this even if they do the swap at my house (which I will use under my Applecare agreement) since my hard drive will be in strangers' hands....

So let me get this right, I have to drag my iMac (27” so not light-weight) to my nearest store (about an 2 hours on a bus) and leave it with them for anything up to 2 weeks, while I put my life on hold for them to simpley replace a hard drive. Come on apple! Something is very wrong here.

I asked in my nearest apple store about bringing in my iMac and to book and appointment, She said they have been taking 2 weeks to do the job, but thinks I should be quicker now the rush is over. Considering I was hoping it would be a ‘same day’ thing, I am gobsmacked how this is possible. I use my iMac for work, along with all other aspects of my life, as this is what it’s designed for! so going without it for a week is not acceptable. So now I have to be bloody certain everything is backed up and the backup is good. I won’t be comfortable with only one copy of all my work for a week until I get it safely back on the Mac.

All I know is, I am going to go through a **** of a lot of hassle to fix something not my fault, and not get anything in return (not even an upgraded HD). Disappointed to say the least. How can I tell my ‘PC using’ friends about this, when it would take them 2 minutes to replace a HD, they would never let this down.

Do you have Applecare? In the US, Applecare includes in home (on site) service for desktops as long as you live within 50 miles of an AASP. My hard drive was replaced in my home; I still had to back up everything and wipe the drive since it would wind up in strangers' hands, but I had two clones of it, so when the replacement was finished, we booted from a clone and cloned it back to the new internal drive so he could test that everything worked - it did, and the tech left. Total time elapsed: about one hour and 20 minutes.

Do note that if your HD isn't showing any signs of trouble, you don't have to do anything. That'll give you ample time to avoid the holiday rush and make your backups. If you haven't backed up and ensured that the backups were viable, you're operating without any safety net.

Last thing to quell further ranting: ask your PC friends when was the last time their PC maker replaced a failing part three years after selling the machine.