Best method to Purge older iMac before donating it?

[pm-r]

Do you mean when you reply to the OP ? as you can see above, I don't get their icon attached to the reply, but I never have.

No, I mean like the image Jimmysb posted above in his #16 post that used to appear (at least for me and some others) when a member replies to a post they originally started. Their original #1 post Avatar appears normally without the white "OP" sort of watermarked Avatar.
Like the attachment Jimmysbw posted above in his #16 post.

This special Avatar of a member replying to a post the original started is now happening with all threads in all forums that I've looked at at this site. I just noticed it started doing so a day or so ago and acts like it is a feature of not showing, and just the a normal Avatar gets shown.

I prefer to see the OP Amador on such replies, and I can't seem to find a place to change it if I happen to have done so in my Google Chrome browser I used to view the Mac-forums site.

It seems that Jake's display has changed as well and I sort of doubt if he changed his option of viewing if he was even able to do so. So be something that the admins have changed.





- Patrick
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[drgrafix]

That is a very unhelpful error message. I would suggest contacting Apple support. Go to Apple.com, click on the "Support" button on the top menu bar and at the bottom of the screen you should see how to reach them. I have used both calls and chats with success.

Jake... I just spent about 90 minutes with a apple tech and he tried everything but we could not get past that error screen. He said I have two options, first is to bring the iMac to an Apple store and they can install a clean OS X operating system. He said the other option is to try to find a older Mac or MacBook that was running El Capitan 10.11 and make a bootable USB. He did not know if the Apple Store would charge to do the install, but he did say it would only take a very short period of time. I guess they have either bootable USBs or CDs with various OS X versions. Apparently it must be El Capitan and there are no substitutions.

I started doing a search online and it seems a lot of the files are sketchy and I don't know which are safe. Can you or anyone else point me to a link where a safe, bootable USB file can be found? TIA-Mike

 

[MacInWin]

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

Download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system on compatible Mac computers.

support.apple.com

That site has a link to an El Cap dmg that should install. You may need to create a bootable USB thumb drive and that same site has a link to how to do that.

 

[ferrarr]

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

Download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system on compatible Mac computers.

support.apple.com

That site has a link to an El Cap dmg that should install. You may need to create a bootable USB thumb drive and that same site has a link to how to do that.

The older OS versions, download a DMG file, that you will have to open, to install the macOS installer app. Then when the "macOS name installer" (file) is in the Applications folder, you can make a bootable USB with that.

 

[drgrafix]

I just opened my old Apple Shipper box and found the original CDs still in the sleeves. Can I just insert the OS X CD and let it install? I don't want to enter my email or any other information, so how do I proceed with the CDs? TIA guys.

 

[pm-r]

I don't want to enter my email or any other information, so how do I proceed with the CDs? TIA guys.

Assuming the installer works correctly you can just quit and shut down the Mac once a bootable operating system has been installed and win next turned on, the user should be able to carry on as though it was a brand new Mac ready to be set up for the new user.

I'm not sure if the internal boot Drive will need to be erased before running the installer or not depend on what is already installed on it. Doing so would certainly remove all previous data and any installed OS files and folders.

Good luck.



- Patrick
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[Slydude]

If the OS version on the CD is older than what's on the drive you usually have to erase the drive first. I don't remember if it has always been that way but it has been for a very long time.

 

[drgrafix]

Doesn't really recognize my Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse, but they work. Looks like its all set to find a new owner. Thanks for all the help!



Mike

 

[pm-r]

Doesn't really recognize my Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse, but they work.

I don't know about the Logitech wireless keyboards but there wireless mouse are usually recognised for default settings of left right click and scroll and the larger tax software is usually only needed if you want to customize any of the most buttons actions or behaviors.

And congratulations on the new OS install which looks like it's ready to go to a new user with the brand new clean Operating System.




- Patrick
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[Slydude]

The keyboards are recognized without the need for any additional software. Some of the keyboards may have some special features where the software is needed and in that case the software is likely to be PC only.

 

[drgrafix]

Happy to say that I sold the iMac in a matter of hours for $95 with the Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse. Local dad bought it for his daughter. Said they are familiar with iMacs, understood that it was older but in beautiful condition and that she'd only be using it for email, google, and maybe FaceTime.

 

[pm-r]

Happy to say that I sold the iMac in a matter of hours for $95 with the Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse.

I would say that daughter's father got a really good deal and the daughter ended up with a very nice iMac and you should be thankful you got a nice quick sale and I must admit a much newer iMac than my 2011 Legacy model.

Three Happy people and an iMac that will continue to provide useful.



- Patrick
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[MacBiter]

I would say that daughter's father got a really good deal and the daughter ended up with a very nice iMac and you should be thankful you got a nice quick sale and I must admit a much newer iMac than my 2011 Legacy model.

The last 21.5" iMac you could upgrade RAM on yourself!.