Formatting Mac Hard Drive

[TitusVorenus]

I've got a mid 2009 macbook pro. I want to sell it but no longer have the install disk. What happens when I format the hard drive? Does Mac OSX still load up or is everything erased?

I'm worried about my data getting into the wrong hands but I also don't want to erase everything because I no longer have the install disk.

Thanks in advance for help!!!!

 

[aicul]

Just delete the /users and subfolders

then se disk utility toerase free space


if you delete the whole disk, you will need either the original disks or a bought version of OSX

 

[GGJstudios]

I've got a mid 2009 macbook pro. I want to sell it but no longer have the install disk. What happens when I format the hard drive? Does Mac OSX still load up or is everything erased?

I'm worried about my data getting into the wrong hands but I also don't want to erase everything because I no longer have the install disk.

If you format any drive, you wipe out the contents of that drive. You can call Apple to get replacement install disks, which any buyer should require you to have.

Just delete the /users and subfolders

That doesn't get rid of all user data.

 

[aicul]

It does unless the owner has been messy and spread things around.

Anyway unless there was some state secret no one is really going to go hunting for info.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

You could also get the Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard DVD with 10.6.3 on it, if your Mac came with 10.6.3 or below.
Maybe this in combination with that can help.

 

[TitusVorenus]

You could also get the Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard DVD with 10.6.3 on it, if your Mac came with 10.6.3 or below.
Maybe this in combination with that can help.

Thanks guys. I ended up deleting the admin account and zeroing out the empty space using the links in this thread.

Due to my location and untrustworthy nature of the person I'm selling it to I could neither get the new install disks nor allow my data out. I've kept a pretty clean system, only using one user account.

Is it necessary to zero out the empty space more than 1 pass?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Is it necessary to zero out the empty space more than 1 pass?

No.