Selling Powermac G4: What do I need to do?

Hi, phoenix1030 -

More specifically, what should I do to as far as removing any old stuff from the HD?

Do a deep-wipe of the hard drive - if it is an ATA type drive, use the zero-all-data option; I think some of the later versions of OSX's Disk Utility also offer an 8-times overwrite of the drive.

These take a while, but are a far more secure erasure of the drive than a simple deletion. A deletion of data, or even a simple erasure of the drive, actually does not remove any data; it just removes the directory entry for the data - a savvy computer person can still retrieve the data itself.

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After doing that, as a matter of courtesy for the new owner, install a fresh OS on the drive. Including the machine's original disks is a good thing to do when you transfer a machine to a new owner.

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If there is any stuff on the drive that you absolutely do not want anyone to be able to retrieve, then physically destroy the hard drive (a sledgehammer is a good tool for that) and replace it with a new one.

Hello phoenix,

Don's advice is excellent - as usual!

To present for sale: wipe down with a damp cloth, blow out the dust bunnies, make it look loved, remember what your mother said about first impressions!

A good working mouse and keyboard is a plus, that 500mhz is a distinct plus (assuming your Mac is an AGP model), the monitor is a $25 plus assuming your buyer wants it. See this page http://the-ish.com/ to get some idea of price; he keeps track of such things. Off the top of my head, you might start thinking $150 and adjust up or down accordingly.

HTH.....Jon

For price, see G4 Tower Value Guide
http://the-ish.com/g4value/

There are several ways to sell. You can list it on eBay. You can join LEM-Swap for buying & selling Mac stuff. http://groups.google.com/group/lemswap After you join, post a FS (For Sale). List it on your local Craig's List - http://www.craigslist.com/ One advantage of Craig's list is that it can be pick-up, instead of costly shipping & a buyer can check it out.

 Cheers, Tom

I used to take the time to backup, and erase hard drives. I now install the least expensive, compatible hard drive I can find, and keep the old one in case I ever need anything on it

Dual 1.73GHz QS/2.33 Core2Duo MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Hi

At the risk of repeating Ron, given how cheaply lower capacity (<120GB) ATA drives can be bought, I'd just replace it and mount the old one in an external Firewire enclosure.

That way you have a complete backup of your old computer and don't have to worry about anyone getting access to your data.

If I was buying a second hand Mac, I'd probably replace the hard drive anyway not knowing it's history. I expect many people would do the same if they value their data. By replacing it for them and stating it's a brand new drive, you may even get slightly more for the computer.

Just a thought.

I have a Power Mac G4 800 Dual with two 80gb HDs, 1.25gb ram that I've been using mainly for editing with FCP and had also thought of the above subject so thanks so far for all - including the originator.

Reading the info on HD replacement etc and looking at an expected price, I'm almost ready to give up the idea of selling when I note the price of a decent HD weighed against that probable price.

I'll wach this column with interest to see what eventually happens to the impending sale and would hope that we get to know just how much was obtained for a good little computer.... !

Ron