How can I erase hard disk if SuperDrive is broken (OS 10.6.8)?

If I need to do that (very infrequent), I boot from a bootable clone on my external HD and erase the internal from there.

Barry

Some MacBooks (mine, for instance) can't boot from USB, so bootable clones on MacBooks have to be made on a FireWire external disk. Even more weird, not every FireWire HD can be made bootable. I use Super Duper to make a bootable clone on a 1TB Orange-encased Neil Poulton design ruggedized LaCie I bought at the Apple Store. Handy thing to have around sometimes. My bootable clone will actually boot on my Mini.

The newer version Apple USB Superdrive does not support use with older Mac products

that have a built-in optical drive; so that avenue is not a direct method. Other brands of

relatively inexpensive DVD+CD R/W USB drives can be used with system DVDs to boot

most later Intel-based Macs using the Apple DVD system media discs.

There also has been topic discussions in various locations online about methods to

use a firmware change to newer Apple USB Superdrive, that may work with older Macs

that have built-in optical drives, those which may have failed to function.

The change to the USB external Apple superdrive may void its warranty. I noticed a repair

page at iFixit.com showing how to swap the actual drive out of the Superdrive, and in the

added comments, someone had posted a suggested (but not recommended) method of

modifying the Apple USB Superdrive's ability to work with older unsupported Macs.

https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Apple_USB_SuperDrive (4 comment/questions, not definitive)

https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/23023/Can+I+use+the+AirSuperDrive+as+an+Exte rnal+Drive+the+Mac+laptops

So perhaps the idea may work, or it may not. Other less costly third-party somewhat

more disposable DVD RW USB player/recorders that can work & boot Macs have

been discussed in the ASC discussions. Several brands, a few links to online sites

that had them listed. Usually for under $50.

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

There was this other link that was unable to be edited into the above

due to a time-out. Can't say as it offers more than the last one shown.

And looks like the same terminal command fix or hack as earlier URL's

https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/144126/Use+Apple+Superdrive+on+any+Mac

However a few of the lower cost options in DVD R/W USB externals

(most seemed to have tray-load optical drive function) may be best

if you can't get the above patch to work in your computer. I'd go with

the cheaper more disposable unit, and save the Apple USB super

for use with a newer Mac purchase...

Good luck! 🙂

If you have a second MAC, try booting the old MB machine in Target Disk Mode and connect your old MB via a firewire cable which should let you see the old MB drive via Disk Utility which you can erase.