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Need to wipe HD before sending macbook to Apple?

B

BigDave48

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 5, 2007
18
0
Apple recently set me a replacement MBP for my faulty MB. I am wondering, is it necessary to wipe the HD before I return the MB?

If so, how do I do this?

I read that an HD wipe can be done via the install discs, but...that's not an option for me since my optical drive doesn't work.

Any other ways to wipe a HD?

Thanks.
 
I sent a MacBook in for service and it came back with everything on the disk in tact. It is by no means guaranteed though. Before you worry about wiping the disk it is more important to make sure (if you haven't already done so) that you have a full back of all your important files.
 
Thanks for the help.

Elppa- I won't be receiving the MB back after I send it to Apple. I've already received my new MBP and transferred all of my data to the new one.

My concern is that the info from my old MB would be "out there" somewhere.
 
Is your MacBook one with FireWire or without? Because you could get a FW800 to FW400 cable, hook the MacBook up in target disk mode, and then use the Macbook Pro's Disk Utility application to format the connected computer's hard drive. This is only an option if you have the black or white plastic MacBook and not the unibody one.
 
Jedi,
That would be an option. Where can I find that cable? How much? Thanks.
 
BigDave48 said:
Jedi,
That would be an option. Where can I find that cable? How much? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Less than $5 from Monoprice.com

They have very good prices on just about any kind of cable you can think of.

And I would wipe the hard drive before sending it back, even though you don't have to.
 
Just to clarify, you sent in a MacBook and got a back a MacBook Pro?

*goes to throw MacBook down the stairs*

:D

In all seriousness, though, when wiping the HD, you may also want to zero out the data. It takes longer, but it makes sure it's done properly, and the data can't be recovered.
 
iPhone 62S said:
Just to clarify, you sent in a MacBook and got a back a MacBook Pro?

*goes to throw MacBook down the stairs*

:D
Click to expand...

Yeah. I'll spare you the long story (unless you want it and I'll be glad to share). But I simply expressed my concerns/desires to the Rep and he worked some kind of magic.
 
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