Cleaning Imac memory and set up

1. Insert the grey install DVD and restart the iMac.

2. Hold down the C key during start up.

3. Do an "Erase and Install".

This will clear everything off and leave you with a factory feel to the iMac.

(If you had banking data on there, and for example, would be concerned if you son has housemates that may have access to the computer, you use can use Apple Disk Utility on the Install Disk (select from either the Menu Bar or options buttons (dependent on OS X version)) and choose to erase the drive and Zero all Data. This takes some time but will mean that the data cannot be easily recovered. On Panther/Tiger install disk you can 7-way write random data - which is more at the erasing-government-secrets type level of security.)

HTH

mrtotes

To avoid re-downloading updates in the future rather than using Apple's Software Update you can download the 10.2.8, 10.3.9 or 10.4.8 'combo' update this will take you from 10.2, 10.3 or 10.4 up to the latest version. You can burn this combo update to CD for re-application later without the need to download. Downloading the Combo will also allow you to update numerous Macs with a single download. The transition to Intel does complicate this somewhat as the Intel and PPC combos are different.

The retail version of Tiger I bought was 10.4.3; you may find yours is an older or newer version. Either way you have a 149Mb download to do.

regards

mrtotes

Is there any way to start off at a higher revision of
Tiger than the first release or must you install that
and go through the agony of downloading all the
updates stage by stage?

Thanks

Without the iMac's install disks then all you can do is manually tidy up the iMac's hard disk.

mrtotes