Issues Reformatting

youreyesareammo · youreyesareammo #1 (**permalink**)

01-12-2010, 03:35 AM

I am trying to sell an old MBP, and I am trying to reformat the HD so as to not give away personal information. When I go into disk utility and select erase, the erase free space, security options, and erase options are all unclickable. Any advice?

bobtomay · bobtomay #2 (**permalink**)

01-12-2010, 03:44 AM

If you're booted up into the OS, you can't erase a disc that you're booted from.

If you're booted up from the OS X disc, do you have the partition selected in the left pane, not the drive itself?

youreyesareammo · youreyesareammo #3 (**permalink**)

01-12-2010, 03:47 AM

How do I boot up from the OS X disc? Just restart with the OS X disc in the drive?

bobtomay · bobtomay #4 (**permalink**)

01-12-2010, 04:27 AM

With the disc inserted, boot up while holding the 'C' key and it will start up on the disc.

you'll go a couple of screens, select language... once you have the menu bar at the top, then go into Utilities - Disk Utility

I always do an erase and then partition/format.

youreyesareammo · youreyesareammo #5 (**permalink**)

01-13-2010, 01:25 AM

is there a way to do it without the OS X disc in because my optical drive is crapping out on me.

Collin Bl · Collin Bl #6 (**permalink**)

01-13-2010, 02:25 AM

Yes - Start it in Target Mode then connect to another Mac with Firewire cable and use Disk Utility on that Mac to erase the drive of one in Target mode. Power on and hold down T key.

youreyesareammo #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 11, 2008 Location: California Posts: 14 Mac Specs: Macbook Pro 15" 1.83GHz, iPod 30GB	01-12-2010, 03:35 AM I am trying to sell an old MBP, and I am trying to reformat the HD so as to not give away personal information. When I go into disk utility and select erase, the erase free space, security options, and erase options are all unclickable. Any advice? Go-gorilla!
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,788 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	01-12-2010, 03:44 AM If you're booted up into the OS, you can't erase a disc that you're booted from. If you're booted up from the OS X disc, do you have the partition selected in the left pane, not the drive itself? I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,788 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	01-12-2010, 04:27 AM With the disc inserted, boot up while holding the 'C' key and it will start up on the disc. you'll go a couple of screens, select language... once you have the menu bar at the top, then go into Utilities - Disk Utility I always do an erase and then partition/format. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

youreyesareammo #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 11, 2008 Location: California Posts: 14 Mac Specs: Macbook Pro 15" 1.83GHz, iPod 30GB	01-13-2010, 01:25 AM is there a way to do it without the OS X disc in because my optical drive is crapping out on me. Go-gorilla!
	QUOTE Thanks

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Collin Bl #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 07, 2009 Location: Napier NZ Posts: 3,273 Mac Specs: 27 iMac i5, 2.4 C2D MBP & iMac 20, 1TB dual TC, AppleTV, iPh4	01-13-2010, 02:25 AM Yes - Start it in Target Mode then connect to another Mac with Firewire cable and use Disk Utility on that Mac to erase the drive of one in Target mode. Power on and hold down T key.
	QUOTE Thanks

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