I just bought a new MacBook Pro, and am selling my old MacBook. I am in the processing of wiping the hard drive and installing Snow Leopard. I am planning to sell the MacBook--so am wondering how I can complete the install if I can't create a new account? (Aka: I don't know who the new owner will be). Any tips?
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How to Create a New Account if I am Selling
- Thread starter cookie.monster1
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Are you asking about what you should do when the installation completes and the Welcome video plays and it asks for user information?
Just turn the computer off. When you start it up again, the video and registration windows will simply replay.
Just turn the computer off. When you start it up again, the video and registration windows will simply replay.
OK--so if I just turn the computer off when it plays, it will just start up again at that spot?
Do I need to include the 10.6 disc in the sale, in order for this to happen?
Thanks!
Do I need to include the 10.6 disc in the sale, in order for this to happen?
Thanks!
Whatever discs you use to reload it should be sold with the Mac.
Remember, if you're reloading from a Snow Leopard upgrade disc, that's not going to install iLife.
When I sell my old Macs, I restore the Mac using the system restore discs that came with it. When it boots up to the Welcome video, I turn it off. I include the upgrade discs, and just let the new owner know that after they setup their account, they'll need to stick in the upgrade disc and run the upgrade themselves. Never had a problem doing it that way.
Remember, if you're reloading from a Snow Leopard upgrade disc, that's not going to install iLife.
When I sell my old Macs, I restore the Mac using the system restore discs that came with it. When it boots up to the Welcome video, I turn it off. I include the upgrade discs, and just let the new owner know that after they setup their account, they'll need to stick in the upgrade disc and run the upgrade themselves. Never had a problem doing it that way.
I definitely would have done that--but in the 5 years I've had the laptop, I lost the restore disks 
So I will turn off the laptop at this point, and include the 10.6 disc with the purchase.
I already went through the processing of erasing/"zeroing" the harddrive--so I guess I will just assume that everything was erased, as planned? Somehow I would just like to see for myself that it is all gone--is there a way to ensure that before I sell it?
So I will turn off the laptop at this point, and include the 10.6 disc with the purchase.
I already went through the processing of erasing/"zeroing" the harddrive--so I guess I will just assume that everything was erased, as planned? Somehow I would just like to see for myself that it is all gone--is there a way to ensure that before I sell it?
If all you have is the Snow Leopard disc, when you advertise the MacBook for sale, be sure to mention that it won't come with the iLife apps on it. If you don't disclose that, I can see a buyer getting pretty upset.
If you want to verify the files are gone, you can create an account, logon, verify everything, then do another clean install.
If you want to verify the files are gone, you can create an account, logon, verify everything, then do another clean install.
here is a clean method of removing personal things:
replace "username" with your own computer's "usernames"
with the computer off, boot to single user mode (hold command s and turn computer on)
$ mount -uw /
$ rm -R /Library/Preferences/
$ rm -R /Users/username/
(Note that deleting /Library/Preferences/ is optional and in some cases may cause problems after pre-configuring some third-party software. However, I do this after simple configs or installs, e.g., install an OS, apply Software Updates, and then give it to the end user to create a fresh account.)
Now here's what's new in Leopard/SL:
$ rm /var/db/dslocal/nodes/Default/users/username.plist
$ rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
you will need to manually delete anything stored on the macintosh hd level, but this gets rid of everything else
replace "username" with your own computer's "usernames"
with the computer off, boot to single user mode (hold command s and turn computer on)
$ mount -uw /
$ rm -R /Library/Preferences/
$ rm -R /Users/username/
(Note that deleting /Library/Preferences/ is optional and in some cases may cause problems after pre-configuring some third-party software. However, I do this after simple configs or installs, e.g., install an OS, apply Software Updates, and then give it to the end user to create a fresh account.)
Now here's what's new in Leopard/SL:
$ rm /var/db/dslocal/nodes/Default/users/username.plist
$ rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
you will need to manually delete anything stored on the macintosh hd level, but this gets rid of everything else
After formatting and installing the OS, is there any way to install iLife without setting up a User Account?
