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Marco_Gonzalez

Q: I am going to sell my mini mac. How can I erase everything?

I do not know how to erase all my information before to sell my mini mac... do you have any tutorial?

Mac mini, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.1), 4GB

Posted on Sep 9, 2013 7:21 PM

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Q: I am going to sell my mini mac. How can I erase everything?

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  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Sep 9, 2013 7:25 PM in response to Marco_Gonzalez
    Level 10 (311,946 points)
    Sep 9, 2013 7:25 PM in response to Marco_Gonzalez

    Throw away any files which may contain sensitive data and securely empty the Trash.

     

    If it shipped with Mac OS X 10.6.8 or earlier, insert its original disk and restart the computer with the C key held down.

    If it shipped with Mac OS X 10.7 or newer, restart with the Command and R keys held down.

     

    Use the Disk Utility to erase the partition with Mac OS X installed, and then install a new OS onto it. If you used a disk, include the disk with the computer.

     

    (88740)

  • by den.thed,

    den.thed den.thed Sep 9, 2013 7:36 PM in response to Marco_Gonzalez
    Level 7 (27,395 points)
    Sep 9, 2013 7:36 PM in response to Marco_Gonzalez

    Depends on what OS X it originally came with?

     

    If it is a 2010 Mac Mini that came with Snow Leopard and you upgraded it to Mountain Lion. Then you will need to reinstall Snow Leopard from the original Disc set befor selling it, because your Mountain Lion upgrade can not be transfered to the new owner.

     

    see > MacTalk - Preparing Your Old Mac for Sale

  • by Linc Davis,Apple recommended

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Sep 9, 2013 9:28 PM in response to Marco_Gonzalez
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Sep 9, 2013 9:28 PM in response to Marco_Gonzalez

    To prepare a computer for sale or donation, in addition to the steps mentioned in this support article, take these steps:

     

    • If you set a firmware password, remove it by running Firmware Password Utility in Recovery mode.
    • If you activated FileVault in OS X 10.7 or later, turn it off.
    • If you use Boot Camp, the partition must be deleted
    • If you created any other data partitions on the internal drive, remove them in Disk Utility.
    • If privacy is a concern, erase the data partition(s) with the option to zero out data. An SSD doesn't need to be zeroed.

     

     

     

    You can't legally or practically transfer any software downloaded from the Mac App Store to the new owner of the machine, even if it was free. That includes OS X, so if you paid for an upgrade OS X 10.7 or later, you must reinstallthe original OS, either from the installation media, if applicable, or by booting into Internet Recovery (option-command-R at the startup chime.)

    The new owner will have to repurchase the software, if need be, under his or her Apple ID. If you ever updated the bundled iLife applications (Garage Band, iMovie, and iPhoto) through the App Store, you can't transfer them either.

    Remove the machine from your list of registered products. If it's still covered by an AppleCare Protection Plan, transfer the coverage to the new owner by following the instructions in the AppleCare Terms and Conditions (under the heading "Transfer of Plan.")

  • by Joe Bailey,

    Joe Bailey Joe Bailey Sep 10, 2013 8:31 AM in response to Marco_Gonzalez
    Level 6 (12,217 points)
    Sep 10, 2013 8:31 AM in response to Marco_Gonzalez

    You already have lots of good advice on how to erase your HD and install a fresh copy of the OS but there is one thing that is easy to overlook. After you install the new copy of the OS when the computer restarts, immediatly shut it down and do not select the langauge or proceed with the initial setup. Leave all that to the new owner -- and assuming your mini came with an install DVD please pass that DVD along to the new owner. They will bless you for that kindness.

     

    One other thing, I tend to be a bit anal about protecting my data and when I erase the HD before selling a Mac I run at least pass to be sure my data cannot be recovered. It is easy to recover data after a simple erase.

     

    Message was edited by: Joe Bailey

  • by StuarthSo,

    StuarthSo StuarthSo Aug 14, 2015 9:17 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 14, 2015 9:17 AM in response to Linc Davis

    So i followed the instructions above and mostly OK, although with a windows USB keyboard its the Windows key and R

     

    We were on v10.9 but after the disk partition bit it would not boot.

    Finally got to apple support and was worked out we needed windows key + alt + R for internet recovery.

    That looked for wireless networks only, ignoring the wired connection we started with.

    We went through error codes, 1006f, 2002f to 2003f on various Wifi networks - ended up that it needed a wify with the right DNS setttings AND THEN then network cable removed before the reboot would work properly and connect to a Wifi and onto the internet recovery.

    Then about a 20 min LION 10.7 download and another 20 mins to install LION.

     

    I'm assuming I now upgrade back to 10.9 mavrick.

     

    I tried to update my apple case with this information but they are hard to get hold off.