How to wipe drive and reinstall

[MaMi]

I have never done this before so need some help here. How do I clean my hard drive and reinstall so that it can be ready for a new user? Will this mean that all the software I already have on my laptop be gone after? Have no clue how to do this. Can anyone tell me step by step how to do this. Thanks!

 

[iBlue]

It may depend on your computer and version of OS but most likely:

Insert Install disks. Restart holding down the C button. When the menu pops up use Erase and Install.

You can also Erase disk in Disk Utility beforehand. If you have any very sensitive data on there (bank details, etc) you can put them in the trash and "secure empty trash" just to make sure that it's unrecoverable. The first options I gave should do the trick but I think this extra measure can't hurt.

 

[freddyaudiophil]

is there a disk wiping app out there for macs like there is for windows? something that you can use to wipe a drive multiple times?

 

[jrock2004]

Just did a quick google search and found this:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=21103

Let me know if this is what you are looking for

 

[iShater]

is there a disk wiping app out there for macs like there is for windows? something that you can use to wipe a drive multiple times?

I believe Disk Utility allows you to zero out your drive.

 

[MaMi]

How do I get to disk utility to erase my files?

 

[zahnast]

Boot on to a drive that is not the one your erasing (install CD, external drive etc)

Fire up Disk Utility, then use 'Format disk'.

 

[rpaloalto]

When you do the install of the install disk Either the one that came with your mac, or any retail disk. It will give you different options.

erase and install,
zero out the drive then install,
Plus some super duper, 8 way random zero, wright erase thing.