gconley
Level 1 (4 points)
iLife

Q: How to safely get rid of a Powerbook G4

Hi guys, I have an old powerbook G4 and the only disk I have still is the OSX Leopard disk.  I want to protect my info thats on the computer so I know I should do some sort of starting over and erasing the system but Im not sure if only having the Leopard disk would allow this?

 

Could you guys please steer me to a link of a walkthrough on how to do this?

 

Thanks guys.

PowerBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Oct 1, 2014 2:12 PM

by Jan Hedlund,Solvedanswer
Jan Hedlund Jan Hedlund
Level 6 (9,901 points)
A:

As an example, the following web page contains steps for securely erasing a hard disk. You could perhaps check whether this procedure is in line with the one that you have been using.

https://www.uvm.edu/it/security/erase/?Page=macos-secure-erase.html

 

Otherwise, with access to another suitable computer (Mac or PC) with a burning program for .iso files, creating a DBAN disc (see above) would not be difficult.

 

Jan

Posted on Oct 3, 2014 4:58 PM

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gconley

Q: How to safely get rid of a Powerbook G4

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  • by Jan Hedlund,

    Jan Hedlund Jan Hedlund Oct 1, 2014 3:10 PM in response to gconley
    Level 6 (9,901 points)
    Oct 1, 2014 3:10 PM in response to gconley

    Hi,

     

    Could, for example, the following articles possibly be of interest?

    http://www.thesafemac.com/how-to-prepare-your-mac-for-sale/

    http://www.macworld.com/article/1141358/securely_wipe_hard_drive.html

     

    You may also want to search for an old PowerPC version (dban-2.0.0_powerpc.iso) of a utility called DBAN (free). One would then burn the .iso file to a CD-R. That disc should be bootable, and could be tested on the PowerBook G4 (hold down the C key at startup). The CD contains a disk wiping program.

     

    Jan

  • by gconley,

    gconley gconley Oct 3, 2014 8:49 AM in response to Jan Hedlund
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iLife
    Oct 3, 2014 8:49 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

    Hi Jan, thanks for the links.  I went into disk utilities and wasnt sure which hd to choose from.  The top tab is a Fujitsu mht2080ah and then below that is the macintosh hd.  Both of them do not have the security option open.  It is there but it is greyed out and the only tab thats not is "erase free space" and thats only for the mac hd tab.  The fujitsu is all greyed out.  Not sure what to do.

  • by gconley,

    gconley gconley Oct 3, 2014 9:44 AM in response to gconley
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iLife
    Oct 3, 2014 9:44 AM in response to gconley

    Ok, I figured out that I can click on the "Erase free space" and it will give me the 3 different erasing options.  This is only for files that are already deleted though right?  Im trying to start over with a fresh system and then make sure everything stays deleted.  Am I missing something here?

  • by Jan Hedlund,

    Jan Hedlund Jan Hedlund Oct 3, 2014 1:44 PM in response to gconley
    Level 6 (9,901 points)
    Oct 3, 2014 1:44 PM in response to gconley

    Did you start the computer from a (CD or DVD) disc while holding down the C key?

     

    Jan

  • by gconley,

    gconley gconley Oct 3, 2014 4:04 PM in response to Jan Hedlund
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iLife
    Oct 3, 2014 4:04 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

    Yes, I inserted the Mac OSX Leopard disk and held c down while restarting.  I then clicked the option to erase and install.  Everything is fresh and new and no old files seem to be here but I am wondering if I still have to go into disk utilities now?  Also, my hd is 80gb and I have 61gb available, how could this be on a fresh reinstall? 

  • by Jan Hedlund,Solvedanswer

    Jan Hedlund Jan Hedlund Oct 3, 2014 4:58 PM in response to gconley
    Level 6 (9,901 points)
    Oct 3, 2014 4:58 PM in response to gconley

    As an example, the following web page contains steps for securely erasing a hard disk. You could perhaps check whether this procedure is in line with the one that you have been using.

    https://www.uvm.edu/it/security/erase/?Page=macos-secure-erase.html

     

    Otherwise, with access to another suitable computer (Mac or PC) with a burning program for .iso files, creating a DBAN disc (see above) would not be difficult.

     

    Jan

  • by gconley,

    gconley gconley Oct 4, 2014 7:51 PM in response to Jan Hedlund
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iLife
    Oct 4, 2014 7:51 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

    Ok Jan, I figured out what happened.  I put the disc in and chose the erase install option.  I should of went to the disk utility and erased the hd before doing the install like the links that you sent me said to do.  I assumed that the erase and install option would of erased the hd.  After I did the erase and install I put the disc back in and then went into disk utility.  After a few hours of erasing the hd i then discovered that the hd was completely erased and I did not have a computer anymore so I had to then put the disc in again and do another install of the os.  I doubled my workload, I should of asked instead of assumed lol. Anyways, I am all good now though, Everything is fresh and I am good to go.  Thanks for you help, I appreciate it.