Erase hard drive to new

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I would like to erase my Powerbook G4 hard drive to the point that it would be like something I would buy off the shelf. I believe I am supposed to use Disk Utility to do so. However, the only choice I am finding is to "erase free space". How do I erase everything? Am I misinterpreting something?
 

cwa107


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I'm guessing you're not booted from the System Discs. If that's the case, know that the OS won't let you format a disk that you're running it from.
 
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cwa107
Thanks for the quick reply. I am booting up from the HD, as the only disc I have is the install disc for OSX. I take it from your answer then, that I would not be able to clear my current HD to new standards, but only erase free space? I am selling the computer and would like to wipe out any data that is on it, and reinstall OSX (Leopard)
 

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cwa107
Thanks for the quick reply. I am booting up from the HD, as the only disc I have is the install disc for OSX. I take it from your answer then, that I would not be able to clear my current HD to new standards, but only erase free space? I am selling the computer and would like to wipe out any data that is on it, and reinstall OSX (Leopard)

Pop the disc in the drive, turn the machine off. Then, turn it on and immediately press and hold the C key. The machine will boot from the disc. Click through the installer until you see the menu bar appear. When it does, open Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. You should now be able to erase the entire disk. If you're prepping it to sell, I would recommend using the "Zero out" option.

More info on the zero out option here:

Securely wipe your hard drive | Mac OS X | Mac 911 | Macworld
 
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Pop the disc in the drive, turn the machine off. Then, turn it on and immediately press and hold the C key. The machine will boot from the disc. Click through the installer until you see the menu bar appear. When it does, open Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. You should now be able to erase the entire disk. If you're prepping it to sell, I would recommend using the "Zero out" option.

More info on the zero out option here:

Securely wipe your hard drive | Mac OS X | Mac 911 | Macworld

I heard this erases iLife...is that true?
 
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20" Intel iMac 2.4 Ghz/3G Ram/320HD, Snow Leopard. PBook G4, 1.5Ghz/1.5 Ram/250 HD, Leopard 10.5.6.
I heard this erases iLife...is that true?

Of course. It erases everything because you are wiping the drive clean, no OS or anything.
 
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Thank you for the help cwa107.

Pop the disc in the drive, turn the machine off. Then, turn it on and immediately press and hold the C key. The machine will boot from the disc. Click through the installer until you see the menu bar appear. When it does, open Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. You should now be able to erase the entire disk. If you're prepping it to sell, I would recommend using the "Zero out" option.

More info on the zero out option here:

Securely wipe your hard drive | Mac OS X | Mac 911 | Macworld


Thank you for the help. I believe what you described will work well.
 

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