Selling my late 2006 iMac. How do I reset it to original factory settings and get rid of personal info?
Do I reinstall the OS or is there an easier way to do this?
iMac, iOS 6.1.6
Do I reinstall the OS or is there an easier way to do this?
iMac, iOS 6.1.6
You reinstall the original OS, but before you do that you use Disk Utility, run from the installer disc, to erase the hard drive. When DU is done q uit back to the installer and install OS X, when the installer is done just shut the Mac if and sell it. Provide the new owner with the original install discs.
Before you sell or give away your computer, in addition to the steps mentioned in this support article, take these steps:
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 upgraded to OS X 10.7 or later, you must reinstall an older OS, either from the installation media, if applicable, or by booting into Internet Recovery (option-command-R at the startup chime.) If you installed from physical media, deliver those to the new owner.
If you're selling the machine, or donating it in working order, and it originally shipped with OS X 10.4 or 10.5, then you have the option of installing either from the discs that came with it or from a retail Snow Leopard disc (which you must then transfer with the machine.) The buyer should understand that if he doesn't get the original discs from you, he won't get the bundled iLife applications or the Apple Hardware Test. Replacements for the original discs can be ordered from Apple.
The new owner will have to redownload any software that came from the App Store, including OS X upgrades, 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 those 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.")
Selling my late 2006 iMac. How do I reset it to original factory settings and get rid of personal info?