alanwb
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Q: file deletion

I want to delete all the files on my macbook pro

Posted on Dec 27, 2015 10:28 AM

by lllaass,Solvedanswer
lllaass lllaass
Level 10 (190,876 points)
Apple Watch
A:

How force eject disc

Posted on Dec 29, 2015 7:19 AM

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alanwb

Q: file deletion

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  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Dec 27, 2015 11:31 AM in response to alanwb
    Level 9 (55,709 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 27, 2015 11:31 AM in response to alanwb

    OK the posted instructions are too new. Try these... you will need the disks that shipped with your MBP originally.

     

    The proper way to "clean" a computer before selling it is to zero the hard drive. This will make all your data irretrievable.

     

    Steps for zeroing the drive Disk Utility:

     

    1. Insert your Mac OS X CD-ROM disc or Restore DVD disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key until you see the spinning gear.

    2. Once started up from CD or DVD, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu.

    Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from disc to access Disk Utility.

    3. Choose the entire disk (top icon).

    4. Choose erase tab.

    5. Click on Options

    6. Choose "write zeros".

    7. Erase

    This will take a bit of time because the computer is physically writing zeros to each block.

     

    You should then re-install the original OS from the system disks and deliver the Mac to the new owner with the system disks that shipped with it.

     

    If you want it to boot as new at startup, do the installation of OS X and follow the onscreen prompts until it asks you to enter a username and password to create your first account. Quit the installer and shut down the system. The next time the system is powered on it will display the same welcome message and be ready to setup OS X.

     

    The proper way to "clean" a computer before selling it is to zero the hard drive. This will make all your data irretrievable.

     

    Steps for zeroing the drive Disk Utility:

     

    1. Insert your Mac OS X CD-ROM disc or Restore DVD disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key until you see the spinning gear.

    2. Once started up from CD or DVD, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu.

    Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from disc to access Disk Utility.

    3. Choose the entire disk (top icon).

    4. Choose erase tab.

    5. Click on Options

    6. Choose "write zeros".

    7. Erase

    This will take a bit of time because the computer is physically writing zeros to each block.

     

    You should then re-install the original OS from the system disks and deliver the Mac to the new owner with the system disks that shipped with it.

     

    If you want it to boot as new at startup, do the installation of OS X and follow the onscreen prompts until it asks you to enter a username and password to create your first account. Quit the installer and shut down the system. The next time the system is powered on it will display the same welcome message and be ready to setup OS X.

     

    rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone

  • by alanwb,

    alanwb alanwb Dec 27, 2015 11:34 AM in response to macjack
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 27, 2015 11:34 AM in response to macjack

    v 10.5.8

    model macbook pro 15"

    processor intel core 2 duo

  • by alanwb,

    alanwb alanwb Dec 27, 2015 11:38 AM in response to macjack
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 27, 2015 11:38 AM in response to macjack

    Many thanks.  This will take a bit of time and so I am going to leave it until tomorrow.

    However, one more question:  I have several other devices and I don't want to delete all that is on those by mistake.  If I do all that you suggest on my macbook pro, will all the stuff on my new macbook air and my ipad remain accessible?  I have recently backed up from the macbook air

  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Dec 27, 2015 11:48 AM in response to alanwb
    Level 9 (55,709 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 27, 2015 11:48 AM in response to alanwb

    Yes, since you are running 10.5.8 you have no iCloud compatibility, so no worries there. But you should always keep a backup of your system, either a clone, Time Machine, or both. Anything can happen at any time, except the event you mention!

  • by alanwb,

    alanwb alanwb Dec 29, 2015 7:05 AM in response to macjack
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 29, 2015 7:05 AM in response to macjack

    Hi there

     

    I have done this but the screen was not quite as you suggested it would be.  After inserting the original disk and pressing the "on" button, then holding down the C key until the spinning gear appeared, the next screen I get is choosing a language, followed by (I chose English), a brief appearance of a screen saying "installing ...", then the Welcome screen about Mc OS X Leopard Installer, with five icons (none of which are active) and the alternative sentences:

    "To install Mac OS X, click continue ..."

    "To quit, choose Quit Installer from the Installer menu and click startup disk"

     

    I didn't get the choice of Disk Utility at any time

     

    I decided to instal using the onscreen instructions, but now I can't get the disk out!

     

    Any thoughts?

     

    Alan

  • by lllaass,Solvedanswer

    lllaass lllaass Dec 29, 2015 7:19 AM in response to alanwb
    Level 10 (190,876 points)
    Apple Watch
    Dec 29, 2015 7:19 AM in response to alanwb

    How force eject disc

  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Dec 29, 2015 7:35 AM in response to alanwb
    Level 9 (55,709 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 29, 2015 7:35 AM in response to alanwb

    Try a restart holding down the mouse button. EDIT: Or any of the options lllass posted while I was composing.

     

    When you boot from the install disk Disk Utility should be on the Utilities menu.Once the installer loads, and you get to the Install Mac OS X screen, instead of continuing, go to the Utilities menu on the top of your screen, and open Disk Utility. In Disk Utility, select your hard disk from the list on the left. Click the Erase tab in Disk Utility, select Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for Format.

  • by alanwb,

    alanwb alanwb Dec 29, 2015 7:59 AM in response to macjack
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 29, 2015 7:59 AM in response to macjack

    OK this is where I am now:

     

    I restarted with the OSX disk in the slot.  I now get a screen with "welcome" in several languages, then after some music and lots of stars floating about,

    1. a Welcome screen that invites me to choose a language; I chose English
    2. then a screen that invites me to choose a country.  I chose UK
    3. then a screen that invites me to choose a keyboard.  I chose British
    4. then a screen that asks me if I already own  Mac.  I choose "Do not enter my information now"
    5. then Select a wireless service and password (why?  I am trying to pass this machine on to someone else)
    6. NOTE:  there has not yet been a screen with a menu bar, so no possibility of choosing Disk Utility

     

    I have not entered the wifi service password as I didn't see the point of carrying on

     

    Any ideas?

     

    Alan

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Dec 29, 2015 8:01 AM in response to alanwb
    Level 10 (190,876 points)
    Apple Watch
    Dec 29, 2015 8:01 AM in response to alanwb

    Enter the wifi password/connect to the iinternet

  • by alanwb,

    alanwb alanwb Dec 29, 2015 8:04 AM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 29, 2015 8:04 AM in response to lllaass

    now it asks for my apple id.  This is mine, so do I want to put it in if I am passing on the machine to someone else?

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Dec 29, 2015 8:11 AM in response to alanwb
    Level 10 (190,876 points)
    Apple Watch
    Dec 29, 2015 8:11 AM in response to alanwb

    Enter your ID and continue.

  • by alanwb,

    alanwb alanwb Dec 29, 2015 8:24 AM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 29, 2015 8:24 AM in response to lllaass

    OK I did that

     

    I now have got into a screen that looks much like the normal finder screen, in the name of the person I am giving the computer to

     

    I think that's it!  Finder seems to be empty of all files

     

    Thanks for your help

     

    Alan

  • by alanwb,

    alanwb alanwb Dec 29, 2015 8:28 AM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 29, 2015 8:28 AM in response to lllaass

    I am trying to tell everyone that you were helpful.  How do I do that?

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Dec 29, 2015 8:36 AM in response to alanwb
    Level 10 (190,876 points)
    Apple Watch
    Dec 29, 2015 8:36 AM in response to alanwb

    When you go to your post by every reply there are two clickable elements near the bottom of each reply. One says helpful and the other solved.. You can only click once for solved which you already did. You can't change it. You can click on five helpfuls.

  • by alanwb,

    alanwb alanwb Dec 29, 2015 8:41 AM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 29, 2015 8:41 AM in response to lllaass

    Sorry but there are no clickable elements showing.  There were two buttons a few hours ago, I think.  I am beginning to lose the plot but I do want to say you were helpful!  and macjack, too!

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