How to erase all files. For ever!

Goodbye PC · Goodbye PC #1 (**permalink**)

09-11-2009, 08:33 AM

Hi.. I'm getting rid of my Macbook (3 months old) and getting a Macbook Pro... mainly for the firewire to record audio.

I've heard of the 'Eraser' software to clean up the mac...

Any alternatives that's better for mac? Is there a simpler way?

Any help appreciated.

Also... how do I erase the files and not the applications?

Does Eraser delete the files only?... or everything?

Confused

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

09-11-2009, 08:46 AM

If all you want to do is erase files and leave everything else "as is":

Move them to the trash can - go to the Finder menu and select 'Secure empty trash'

Goodbye PC · Goodbye PC #3 (**permalink**)

09-11-2009, 09:06 AM

Thanks for the quick reply.

Does that function secure the files currently present in the trash?.... or does it secure the trash's history?

What about internet history?

I want to sell the macbook as I bought it (excluding software /application updates)

Is there an easy way of doing this without downloading software?

sorry if this sound simple but I'm a mac noob when it comes to things like this.

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

09-11-2009, 09:26 AM

If you're wanting to sell the machine - insert the original disk that came with the machine - restart holding down the 'C' key and reinstall

Nethfel · Nethfel #5 (**permalink**)

09-11-2009, 09:52 AM

Well, I'd do more then just reinstall - if you want to totally cover yourself, when you're in the install DVD, before you go into the install process you can access disk utility and have it do a multipass security wipe, then reinstall the OS.

Goodbye PC · Goodbye PC #6 (**permalink**)

09-11-2009, 11:11 AM

So the original disk has all the applications e.e. garageband, i tunes, safari etc

If I re-install... would it erase the applications?

bobtomay · bobtomay #7 (**permalink**)

09-11-2009, 11:33 AM

You have 2 disks that came with the machine - they have everything it was shipped with.

mr.lumberg · mr.lumberg #8 (**permalink**)

09-12-2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobtomay

If you're wanting to sell the machine - insert the original disk that came with the machine - restart holding down the 'C' key and reinstall

Agreed. A fresh install will completely reformat the HDD and wipe everything. The reason that programs exist to recover deleted data is that modern OS's often don't actually delete the file - they merely tag those sectors on the disk as being writeable again, so as long is nothing is put over them, the data is actually still there. Also, they use what are called "journalised" file formats, so there is additional info about the contents of a sector of the disk hiding out on other parts of the disk. A reformat will put everything back to the way you had it when you first got it.

DarkestRitual · DarkestRitual #9 (**permalink**)

09-12-2009, 03:01 PM

Use the multi pass security swipe which will write over your disk up to 37 times I believe, which is pretty **** secure. They said that most government offices only use 7 times through when they erase disks.

vansmith · vansmith #10 (**permalink**)

09-12-2009, 03:27 PM

Note though that zeroing the disk (erasing it securely) will take a really long time especially if you do it more than once. See here for more info.

When I say long, I'm talking hours. If you do the 7-pass or more, leave it overnight.

DarkestRitual · DarkestRitual #11 (**permalink**)

09-12-2009, 03:40 PM

For sure.

Goodbye PC · Goodbye PC #12 (**permalink**)

09-14-2009, 06:54 AM

For sure, for sure....

right...

I've done the 7 pass! And re-installed Mac OSX.. at the end of the installation it said that it had to restart.... so I clicked 'OK'....

Now the Macbook has started with the welcome and registration programme...

I don't wish to register myself with it again cause I want to sell it.... and I can't shut it down!

Also... if this is the case... how do I re-install the Applications DVD....

hmmmm

I've got offers on it already and I really want to get rid!

Thanks for the responses guys

Goodbye PC · Goodbye PC #13 (**permalink**)

09-14-2009, 09:14 AM

Created a new temp. account in order to re-install applications.....

By now.... someone's bought it!

But .... how do I set it up as bought? I want to set it up so the buyer sees the 'Apple Welcome programme' when switched on....

????????????

My lack of mac terminology fails in Google!

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #14 (**permalink**)

09-14-2009, 06:32 PM

Show user as anybody and password as 1234.

Pass on the install discs and this info to the new user and they can then change it to whatever they like. To get the welcome screen, sell after wiping the drive and l;et them do their own install. You are including the system discs with the machine? Otherwise you should not put an OS on it.

Candise · Candise #15 (**permalink**)

09-15-2009, 12:10 PM

Reformat you computer.. in that way you will be able to delete all the saved files.

Goodbye PC #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 01, 2009 Location: Cymru Posts: 32 Mac Specs: imac & macbook	09-11-2009, 08:33 AM Hi.. I'm getting rid of my Macbook (3 months old) and getting a Macbook Pro... mainly for the firewire to record audio. I've heard of the 'Eraser' software to clean up the mac... Any alternatives that's better for mac? Is there a simpler way? Any help appreciated. Also... how do I erase the files and not the applications? Does Eraser delete the files only?... or everything? Confused Last edited by D3v1L80Y; 09-11-2009 at 09:52 AM.
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 22,043 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	09-11-2009, 08:46 AM If all you want to do is erase files and leave everything else "as is": Move them to the trash can - go to the Finder menu and select 'Secure empty trash' 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.
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 22,043 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	09-11-2009, 09:26 AM If you're wanting to sell the machine - insert the original disk that came with the machine - restart holding down the 'C' key and reinstall 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.
	QUOTE Thanks

Nethfel #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 25, 2009 Posts: 2,084 Mac Specs: 2012 Non-retina MBP, 2.6GHz i7, 8GB RAM, Antiglare Screen	09-11-2009, 09:52 AM Well, I'd do more then just reinstall - if you want to totally cover yourself, when you're in the install DVD, before you go into the install process you can access disk utility and have it do a multipass security wipe, then reinstall the OS. My Macs: 2012 Non-Retina 15" MBP; Mac mini G4, 1.25 GHz, 512m ram (server); Late 2011 11" MBA, 1.8GHz i7, 4Gig Ram, 256Gig SSD, HD3000; Powerbook 12" G4 1.33GHz running Debian as a server; Apple TV (1080p version)
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 22,043 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	09-11-2009, 11:33 AM You have 2 disks that came with the machine - they have everything it was shipped with. 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.
	QUOTE Thanks

How to erase all files. For ever!

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Goodbye PC #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 01, 2009 Location: Cymru Posts: 32 Mac Specs: imac & macbook	09-11-2009, 11:11 AM So the original disk has all the applications e.e. garageband, i tunes, safari etc If I re-install... would it erase the applications?
	QUOTE Thanks

DarkestRitual #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 09, 2009 Location: Ithaca NY Posts: 2,073 Mac Specs: 13 inch alMacBook 2GHz C2D 4G DDR3, 1.25GHz G4 eMac	09-12-2009, 03:01 PM Use the multi pass security swipe which will write over your disk up to 37 times I believe, which is pretty **** secure. They said that most government offices only use 7 times through when they erase disks.
	QUOTE Thanks

vansmith #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 19, 2008 Location: Ottawa Posts: 15,463 Mac Specs: 2012 13" MBP (2.5 i5, 8GB)	09-12-2009, 03:27 PM Note though that zeroing the disk (erasing it securely) will take a really long time especially if you do it more than once. See here for more info. When I say long, I'm talking hours. If you do the 7-pass or more, leave it overnight. Important Links: Community Guidelines : Use the reputation system if you've been helped. M-F Blog :: Write for the blog :: M-F IRC Channel - Chats every Sunday at 8PM EST.
	QUOTE Thanks

DarkestRitual #11 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 09, 2009 Location: Ithaca NY Posts: 2,073 Mac Specs: 13 inch alMacBook 2GHz C2D 4G DDR3, 1.25GHz G4 eMac	09-12-2009, 03:40 PM For sure.
	QUOTE Thanks

Goodbye PC #12 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 01, 2009 Location: Cymru Posts: 32 Mac Specs: imac & macbook	09-14-2009, 06:54 AM For sure, for sure.... right... I've done the 7 pass! And re-installed Mac OSX.. at the end of the installation it said that it had to restart.... so I clicked 'OK'.... Now the Macbook has started with the welcome and registration programme... I don't wish to register myself with it again cause I want to sell it.... and I can't shut it down! Also... if this is the case... how do I re-install the Applications DVD.... hmmmm I've got offers on it already and I really want to get rid! Thanks for the responses guys
	QUOTE Thanks

Goodbye PC #13 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 01, 2009 Location: Cymru Posts: 32 Mac Specs: imac & macbook	09-14-2009, 09:14 AM Created a new temp. account in order to re-install applications..... By now.... someone's bought it! But .... how do I set it up as bought? I want to set it up so the buyer sees the 'Apple Welcome programme' when switched on.... ???????????? My lack of mac terminology fails in Google!
	QUOTE Thanks

harryb2448 #14 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 14,265 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz OS X.8.3	09-14-2009, 06:32 PM Show user as anybody and password as 1234. Pass on the install discs and this info to the new user and they can then change it to whatever they like. To get the welcome screen, sell after wiping the drive and l;et them do their own install. You are including the system discs with the machine? Otherwise you should not put an OS on it.
	QUOTE Thanks

Candise #15 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 15, 2009 Posts: 1	09-15-2009, 12:10 PM Reformat you computer.. in that way you will be able to delete all the saved files. australian business directory
	QUOTE Thanks

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