Low level format

[jayzee]

I am getting ready to sell my macbook pro. I have never sold a mac in the past. On windows I knew how to zero out the hard drive before sale. I want to make sure the new owner can't retrive info from the laptop before I sell it. What is the best way to do this?

Thanks

 

[Eidorian]

Disk Utility can do this under the Security Options.

 

[jayzee]

Wouldn't disk utility erase the mac OS as well. In windows I go into dos and use a utility from there to zero out the hard drive.

 

[sushi]

Wouldn't disk utility erase the mac OS as well. In windows I go into dos and use a utility from there to zero out the hard drive.

Confused.

Here is what I do.

On a Windows computer:
- Boot from floppy or CD with KillDisk. Run it a few times (free version only does one pass).
- Do a clean install of Windows (from the install CD).

On a Mac computer:
- Boot from the install DVD. Run Disk Utility and securely erase the HD with 7 passes.
- Do a clean install of the Mac OS (from the install disks).

 

[secondfox]

I agree with Sushi in all particulars for the Mac. On a PC I use a linux disc to zero things out.

Anyhow, the Disk Utility thing is really easy. I used it like that when I added a new internal hard drive.

 

[alphaod]

If you darn please, you can always just fill your HDD with porn and then reinstall the OS