I am trying to clean up an old Emac for family member so that it can be disposed of.
I have looked at Disk Utility but there does not appear to be a free space "scrubber" so not sure how to make sure disk is clean for disposal. We do not have the original OSX disk that would have been supplied with the machine when purchased.
Forum has always come up trumps before - thanks!
Emac-OTHER, iOS 3.0
If you want to securely erase the data, you need to do more than just erase free space anyway.
We do not have the original OSX disk that would have been supplied with the machine when purchased.
That fact precludes using Disk Utility to completely erase the disk's contents. However, if you have serious concerns regarding the information it contains, the only method I rely upon is to physically remove the hard disk drive from the eMac's case and destroy it. Use appropriate eye and ear protection.
If you want to securely erase the data, you need to do more than just erase free space anyway.
We do not have the original OSX disk that would have been supplied with the machine when purchased.
That fact precludes using Disk Utility to completely erase the disk's contents. However, if you have serious concerns regarding the information it contains, the only method I rely upon is to physically remove the hard disk drive from the eMac's case and destroy it. Use appropriate eye and ear protection.
Or...
Open System Preferences>Accounts, unlock the lock, click on the little plus icon, make a new admin account, log out & into the new account.
In the same pref pane highlight your old account, click the little minus icon, then use Disk Utility to Secure Erase Free Space.
Alternatively, you may want to look for and test an old PowerPC version (dban-2.0.0_powerpc.iso) of a utility called DBAN (free). The idea is to use a Mac or PC to burn a CD-R from the .iso file. That CD should boot an eMac (if the C key is depressed at startup). The CD contains a disk wiping application.
Jan
Securely delete data from Emac
