Want to sell my Macbook Pro and Reset to Factory

Question

Level 1

8 points

Want to sell my Macbook Pro and Reset to Factory

Hi,

I have a 13" macbook pro retina that I purchased this past April. I have installed OS updates since then, so I have the latest updates. I have a slew of apps (I know about deactivating everything and how to do that). I just want to reset the Macbook so that whoever buys it will be able to set it up from scratch, as if like getting it new. Macbooks do not come with OS discs any more, but, I've been told by Apple that the the firmware can connect over the internet and download the OS if necessary in case of an HD crash.

I am willing to purchase another version of Mountain Lion, but it seems like the license for this computer should be used/valid since I will not be using it, only the new buyer.

What is the simplest way to accomplish this?

Thanks

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Sep 20, 2013 7:17 PM

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Answer 1

nbar

Level 5

7,019 points

Sep 20, 2013 7:19 PM in response to 1strail

See Mr. Reeds guide:

The Safe Mac » How to prepare your Mac for sale

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Answer 2

John Galt

Level 10

141,150 points

Sep 20, 2013 7:25 PM in response to 1strail

What to do before selling or giving away your Mac

In addition to the above: remove any Open Firmware password if you created one.

1strail wrote:

... the license for this computer should be used/valid since I will not be using it, only the new buyer.

Correct.

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Answer 3

1strail Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 20, 2013 8:37 PM in response to nbar

Thanks, unfortunetly, Mr. Reeds process has a flaw, the precise problem I need to solve:

If you have upgraded to Mountain Lion, for example, that system is permanently associated with your Apple ID, and you cannot sell the machine with that system installed.

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Answer 4

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Sep 20, 2013 8:43 PM in response to 1strail

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.
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 reinstall the 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.")

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Answer 5

John Galt

Level 10

141,150 points

Sep 20, 2013 8:50 PM in response to 1strail

Follow the procedures provided below. They are correct.

Approximately 99% of sellers fail to properly prepare a Mac for sale, resulting in misery for both parties. If you follow the procedures below you will join the 1% that gets it right.

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Answer 6

nbar

Level 5

7,019 points

Sep 20, 2013 8:52 PM in response to 1strail

Mountain Lion is only associated with your Apple ID if you subsequently upgraded your OSX. The original OSX that came with your machine is not associated with the user. By 'system', I believe Mr. Reed means operating system. Not your machine, itself.

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