I have a Powerbook G4 1.25 that I want to sell. I would like to restore it to like-new condition (from a software perspective). I have lost the install discs that it came with. What's the best way to wipe it clean so the buyer can start fresh? (and so that my personal files are safely deleted)
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How do you prepare an old G4 to sell it?
- Thread starter Oilskin
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You will need an install disk with the system you want to restore. The best thing would be to get a copy of the original disks that came with your mac. Or you can use a retail version (in that case you should give the new owner those disks...)
Then you just start from the disk, holding down the C key at startup. Once it booted open Disk Utilities in the Tools menu and Erase the disk. You will have to set the erase Options before proceeding, to write zeroes on the whole disk. This will make sure Your data won't be recoverable from the disk. Depending on how sensitive it is you can do more than one pass (it will take a long time to finish, depending on the size of your drive).
Once you are done install the operating system from the same CD or DVD.
Then you just start from the disk, holding down the C key at startup. Once it booted open Disk Utilities in the Tools menu and Erase the disk. You will have to set the erase Options before proceeding, to write zeroes on the whole disk. This will make sure Your data won't be recoverable from the disk. Depending on how sensitive it is you can do more than one pass (it will take a long time to finish, depending on the size of your drive).
Once you are done install the operating system from the same CD or DVD.
I would recommend what misterredman said, and chose the 7-pass option when formatting the HDD. That is the NSA/State Dept. standard for secure deletion of sensitive files. And probably what the Bush admin has been using 
The 35 pass option is just ridiculous.
That will make sure your data is not recoverable. It will take a long time, probably 12 hours or even longer, but is worthwhile to do.
Then just install Tiger or Leopard or get your hands on the original restore disks somehow. I'd recommend Tiger though, and update it to 10.4.11 for them and sell it off.
Good luck.
The 35 pass option is just ridiculous.That will make sure your data is not recoverable. It will take a long time, probably 12 hours or even longer, but is worthwhile to do.
Then just install Tiger or Leopard or get your hands on the original restore disks somehow. I'd recommend Tiger though, and update it to 10.4.11 for them and sell it off.
Good luck.