Can’t reset my late 2013 macbook pro

[samanuel]

Hi,
i’m selling my old macbook pro but no matter how many times i try to reset it it never works. I follow the steps by going to the recovery mode after turning the laptop on and choosing disk utility, then erase macintosh hd - data, but no matter how many times i do so all my files i had in the computer still stay there (“other volumes” 820gb, and only 180gb under “free”). I’m starting to get very frustrated as i’ve been doing it for 2 days now with no luck. Does anyone have an idea of what i could do?

thanks in advance

sincerely
Thorn

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

Erase the whole SSD.

 

[lemonkid]

Are you you using 'command-R' after turning on you macbook? Because from your post I only see you choosing disc-utility.

Then you can select 'show all devices' from the menu. And....... BEWARE! If you delete everything you are in trouble so:

First you should create a Bootable Installation disc. When you accidentally delete your whole disc you might be forced to return to the OS that was on your computer when it was bought. And that is too much of a hassle. So first create a Bootable installer.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372

Then delete the whole disc, and then start up from the installer and install your system.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I follow the steps by going to the recovery mode after turning the laptop on and choosing disk utility, then erase macintosh hd - data..."

STOP RIGHT THERE.
That's NOT the right way.

Do this instead:
PRINT THIS POST OUT, and keep it beside you.

1. Power down, all the way off

2. Press the power on button and hold down
Command-OPTION-R
...continuously. (this is "internet recovery")

You will need your wifi password, and the utilities will take a while to load.

3. You should now be at the "internet utilities". Open disk utility first.

4. Go to the "view" menu and choose "show all devices". This is a VERY important step.

5. Now look at the list on the left. The topmost line should be the actual physical drive inside. Click on it to select it, then click "erase".

6. If you're using Mojave or later, choose "APFS, GUID partition map".
If you're installing High Sierra or earlier, choose "Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format"
(It sounds like you have at least Catalina installed, right?)

7. Erase the drive, will take only seconds.

8. When done, quit disk utility and open the OS installer. Begin "clicking through". The MacBook may restart one or more times, and the display may go completely dark and remain that way for a minute or two during the process. BE PATIENT.

9. When the OS is installed, you should see the initial setup screen (choose your language). At this point try "command-Q" to quit the setup assistant, and shut the MacBook down.

10. It's now ready to hand to the buyer.