How to wipe a machine ready for return to Apple

[Philgr]

As per the title

My new iMac is faulty and apple are sending me a replacement machine, how do i wipe all my stuff off it, accounts, applications passwords etc..

Thanking in advance

Phil G

 

[DeltaMac]

Boot to the Recovery System.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4718
Open Disk Utility
Choose your hard drive, and Erase your hard drive.
Quit Disk Utility
Shut Down
- Done.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Boot to the Recovery System.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4718
Open Disk Utility
Choose your hard drive, and Erase your hard drive.
Quit Disk Utility
Shut Down
- Done.

But back up your stuff first! Ideally on 2 separate HD's.

 

[DeltaMac]

OP would be transferring everything to the replacement Mac anyway.
I can't think of a reason to waste time backing up a computer that one is returning.

 

[Tumbleweed666]

OP would be transferring everything to the replacement Mac anyway.
I can't think of a reason to waste time backing up a computer that one is returning.

The reason will probably occur to you a few minutes after the new mac fails and before you backed it up, and the wipe on the old mac finishes.

You don't backup up "a computer" you back up "your data"

 

[Philgr]

Thanks guys - all my data is backed up already

Just want to return the machine in a " out of the box condition "

PG

 

[satcomer]

Didn't anyone trust what Apple said in the document What to do before selling or giving away your Mac?

 

[Philgr]

My Replacement iMac has arrived - top service from apple

Boot to the Recovery System.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4718
Open Disk Utility
Choose your hard drive, and Erase your hard drive.
Quit Disk Utility
Shut Down
- Done.

done this - 🙂

worked a treat

 

[zeropointzero]

So, if I read this correctly, delete the HD titled Mac HD? Not the entire HD?

 

[DeltaMac]

So, if I read this correctly, delete the HD titled Mac HD? Not the entire HD?

No, you didn't read this correctly, and is not what I suggested.
The "Mac HD" is just a partition on your hard drive (the default from Apple is still "Macintosh HD", but whatever you have on your own hard drive.)
Anyway, choose the hard drive (which will be the line with manufacturer's info, as you may have more than one partition), and Erase your hard drive.

 

[zeropointzero]

No, you didn't read this correctly, and is not what I suggested.
The "Mac HD" is just a partition on your hard drive (the default from Apple is still "Macintosh HD", but whatever you have on your own hard drive.)
Anyway, choose the hard drive (which will be the line with manufacturer's info, as you may have more than one partition), and Erase your hard drive.

Got it. Thank you.