Giving away my MacBook Air...how to erase data without removing programs?

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So my client bought me a Macbook Air and was nice enough to load Office 2008, Aperture, iWork '08. Very nice of him.

Problem is I don't need another laptop so I want to give it to my brother in law. I haven't used the computer that much but I still would feel better if I could erase all the data (internet history, cache, downloads, etc).

I know i could just pop in the installation disc, erase, and reinstall 10.5 but i don't want to get rid of all the programs.

My client did buy the programs but didn't think I would need the discs. He's also out of the country and who knows where they are now.

Is there any way to "restore" OSX without removing applications?

thanks!
 

cwa107


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So my client bought me a Macbook Air and was nice enough to load Office 2008, Aperture, iWork '08. Very nice of him.

Problem is I don't need another laptop so I want to give it to my brother in law. I haven't used the computer that much but I still would feel better if I could erase all the data (internet history, cache, downloads, etc).

I know i could just pop in the installation disc, erase, and reinstall 10.5 but i don't want to get rid of all the programs.

My client did buy the programs but didn't think I would need the discs. He's also out of the country and who knows where they are now.

Is there any way to "restore" OSX without removing applications?

thanks!

My suggestion would be to create a new user account for your brother in law and then erase your old one. That should remove any personal data stored in your home folder, while preserving the integrity of the OS and applications installed.
 
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Can I be your brother-in-law? :)
 
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You're best bet is to wait for your client to send you the discs. Technically the software cannot be on the machine unless the physical discs are in your possession anyway.
Otherwise, a complete reinstall would be needed.
 
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thanks for the replies. I know, it's not good to have software without the discs. mea culpa. I'm keeping it in the family and im not selling it so im still able to live with myself. im just loaning it to my brother in law forever...

I will try the new account, delete old one. see how that works out.

all the software is registered under my name of course which makes it a little off as well but whatever. =)
 

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