2005 eMac erase...how to.

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Level 1

16 points

2005 eMac erase...how to.

I'm selling my 2005 emac which is running 10.4.11. I want to wipe it clean of all my personal data...I've already got everything off of it I need, so I'm ok with wiping it completely. Is there a way to do this if I don't have the original install disks for this computer? I have some install disks for my iMac that say iMac Mac OS X Install DVD Version 10.5.6.

Can I use those install disks to take care of upgrading the old emac?

If not....I'm ok with that, but I want the computer to be usable for whoever takes it. Is there a way to wipe my computer completely clean of all my personal information without wiping the OS?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Nov 8, 2013 1:50 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Niel

Level 10

726,707 points

Nov 8, 2013 1:57 PM in response to Brad12887

1. You need the eMac's original disks or a newer retail package that isn't any newer than 10.5.6.

2. You need to include the disks with it. If needed, phone AppleCare and order replacements.

(92393)

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Answer 2

Brad12887 Author

Level 1

16 points

Nov 8, 2013 2:02 PM in response to Niel

Apple doesn't offer support for computers over 7 years old. Can I use the install disks from the iMac that have 10.5.6?

But even without that...is there a way to just wipe the computer clean, without reformatting the hard drive and reinstalling the system?

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Answer 3

Brad12887 Author

Level 1

16 points

Nov 8, 2013 2:03 PM in response to Brad12887

Just saw a guy on another thread that said something about creating a new admin account, then clicking on the old one and erasing it.

Does that wipe it completely clean?

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Answer 4

Niel

Level 10

726,707 points

Nov 8, 2013 2:08 PM in response to Brad12887

1. No, you can't use those disks.

2. That will do most of it, but your information is stored elsewhere in the system. In addition, the new owner won't be able to reinstall the OS without a disk.

(92394)

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Answer 5

Brad12887 Author

Level 1

16 points

Nov 15, 2013 1:44 PM in response to Niel

To rehash this again. I'm trying to get rid of this thing soon. I cannot find the original disk, and apple won't help me as they say the computer is too old. I read somewhere else that the disk matters and you can't just buy any disk online.

If I wanted to use the iMac disks to install 10.5.6...would it just not work, or is it not good to do?

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Answer 6

Niel

Level 10

726,707 points

Nov 15, 2013 1:47 PM in response to Brad12887

The installer on them will refuse to run on an eMac. If you use them to erase the eMac's internal drive, you'll be left with no way of installing an OS on it.

(92783)

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Answer 7

Brad12887 Author

Level 1

16 points

Nov 15, 2013 1:57 PM in response to Brad12887

or if someone could even tell me what disk I need to get? I'm looking all over the net and can't find what I think is the right one.

It's a PowerPC G4 1.42GHz 512MB RAM running 10.4.11.

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Answer 8

BDAqua

Level 10

238,973 points

Nov 15, 2013 2:40 PM in response to Brad12887

Hi Brad, here's one...

PowerMac G5 OS X 10.3.4 (Panther) Software Install DVD

Item #:

2Z691-5094-A 1000949

Compatible with eMac (ATI Graphics), eMac (1.0 GHz G4), eMac (USB 2.0), iBook ClamShell, iBook (Dual USB), iBook (Late 2001), iBook (14.1 LCD), iBook (16 VRAM), iBook (14.1 LCD 16 VRAM), iBook (Opaque 16 VRAM), iBook (32 VRAM), iBook (14.1 LCD 32 VRAM), iBook (800/900 MHz 32 VRAM), iBook (14.1 LCD 900MHz 32 VRAM), Except - iBook G4 (Mid 2005), all iMac Flavor, all iMac Flat Panel, iMac G5 (17-inch), iMac G5 (20-inch), Mac Mini (original), Power Macintosh G3, Macintosh Server G3, Power Mac G4 & Macintosh Server G4 - all models, Power Mac G5--all models Except - (Power Mac G5 (Early 2005), Power Mac G5 (Late 2005), PowerBook G3 (Bronze Keyboard), PowerBook G4 - all models Except - PowerBook G4 (Double-Layer SD), Xserve G5, Xserve G5 (Cluster Node), Xserve G5 (January 2005), Xserve G5 (January 2005 Cluster Node)

http://www.welovemacs.com/2z6915094a.html

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Answer 9

Niel

Level 10

726,707 points

Nov 15, 2013 2:44 PM in response to BDAqua

That disk is too old for the eMac in question, and is also specific to a single Mac model. All Mac OS X 10.3.9 or earlier install DVDs are machine-specific.

(92791)

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Answer 10

Brad12887 Author

Level 1

16 points

Nov 15, 2013 2:46 PM in response to Niel

Yeah...that's the problem. That's what I heard on another one...the disk was machine specific. How am I supposed to find one then?

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Answer 11

BDAqua

Level 10

238,973 points

Nov 15, 2013 6:40 PM in response to Niel

Thanks Niel, but isn't that an eMac (USB 2.0) ?

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Answer 12

Niel

Level 10

726,707 points

Nov 15, 2013 6:47 PM in response to BDAqua

No, it isn't. It's an eMac (2005).

(92800)

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Answer 13

BDAqua

Level 10

238,973 points

Nov 15, 2013 10:08 PM in response to Niel

Thanks! 🙂

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Answer 14

roam

Level 6

13,631 points

Nov 15, 2013 10:19 PM in response to Brad12887

Brad12887 wrote:
... How am I supposed to find one then?

Have you looked on eBay for a Mac OS 10.4 retail install DVD?

This black retail DVD would be a suitable replacement for your original grey disks that are no longer replacable by Apple.

Some perspective though: as it may cost about the same as you would get for the eMac, and this is a massive generalization here but, it may indicate that your eMac without disks may not be worth what you think it is.

If you could get the part number of the actual grey disk OS that originally shipped with your eMac, then you might be able to hunt down a bargain in the secondhand market.

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Answer 15

BDAqua

Level 10

238,973 points

Nov 15, 2013 10:23 PM in response to Brad12887

Mac OS X Tiger 10.4 Drop-in Install Hardware Bundle (CDVersion)

Item #:	2Z691-5306-A 1002481
Compatible with eMac (2005), iBook G4 (Late 2004), iBook G4 (Mid 2005), iMac G5 17-inch (ALS), iMac G5 20-inch (ALS), iMac G5 (17-inch iSight), iMac G5 (20-inch iSight), iMac (Early 2006 17-inch), iMac (Early 2006 20-inch), Mac mini, Mac mini (Late 2005), Mac mini (Early 2006), MacBook Pro, Power Mac G5 (Early 2005), Power Mac G5 (Late 2005), PowerBook G4 (15-inch

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4127902

http://www.welovemacs.com/2z6915306a.html

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