Cant erase the hard drive

[Soundhound]

We're giving our old Macbook Pro to our niece and I'm trying to erase the hard drive, before putting on a fresh system etc. But I cant erase it. I tried disk utitility but the options are grayed out, I cant choose the format etc. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[Intell]

You can't erase the drive you started the computer up with. Boot your Mac using its reinstallation DVD and then erase the drive.

 

[Soundhound]

I tried to do that with a Snow Leopard install disk, but all it would let me do is install a new system. Am I doing something wrong?

You can't erase the drive you started the computer up with. Boot your Mac using its reinstallation DVD and then erase the drive.

 

[Intell]

When booted from the DVD, look under the Utilities menu for Disk Utility. Use that to erase it.

 

[Hook'Em2006]

When booted from the DVD, look under the Utilities menu for Disk Utility. Use that to erase it.

He has it right. Make sure you specify what type of security you want to use when erasing. There is like 4 different security levels, some take little time, some take up to 24 hours.

 

[rault18]

Do the one that takes the longest just in case..you can never be too safe

 

[Soundhound]

That's it! Thanks!!

When booted from the DVD, look under the Utilities menu for Disk Utility. Use that to erase it.