Older mac help please

[owen coyle]

Hi all,

I am not good with computers as i was born in a period where computers do not exists, and would appreciate your help. Have been searching through the web for answers but most are in terms where it is hard to understand.
I have an old IMAC, more than 10 years old. It is running on the 10.6.8 system. I would like to delete everything on it and sell it off, i do not use it much anymore.

will it be enough if i do this, I create a new user with admin privilege, than i use it to delete my old user account, the 1 which i used. Then after that go to disk utility and do the erase 7 time over thing?
would that be good?

Please help me out.

 

[Fishrrman]

Yes, that would do, but...

... you DON'T need to run a 7-pass erase.

ONE "secure erase" pass will do the job.

 

[owen coyle]

Yes, that would do, but...

... you DON'T need to run a 7-pass erase.

ONE "secure erase" pass will do the job.

Appreciate the kind help mate.

After i do this, does this mean the whole computer will go blank, no data and OS?
or it will be like how it is when i 1st bought it, just the default apps and functions?
i do not have the command-R function page as mine is a old operating system, 10.6.8. So i can't do a fresh download of OS, like those videos on youtube.com

 

[CoastalOR]

After i do this, does this mean the whole computer will go blank, no data and OS?
or it will be like how it is when i 1st bought it, just the default apps and functions?
i do not have the command-R function page as mine is a old operating system, 10.6.8. So i can't do a fresh download of
OS, like those videos on youtube.com

Correct, after the erase there will be no data and OS.

You will need to boot from the 10.6 DVD, secure erase the internal drive, and reinstall the 10.6 OS.

 

[chown33]

Correct, after the erase there will be no data and OS.

You will need to boot from the 10.6 DVD, secure erase the internal drive, and reinstall the 10.6 OS.

As described in the original post, I don't think the bold part is correct.

The OP describes an "Erase free space" operation, which occurs after deleting the original admin account. This will not delete the OS. Alll it does is ensure all deleted files have their free block scrubbed. Any files that aren't deleted (e.g. the OS, the current account, apps already installed, etc.) will not be erased.

To completely erase the OS on a machine running 10.6.8, one must be booted from another disk. That might be the original 10.6 DVD, a duplicate of the OS on an external drive, etc. The procedure would then be to:
1. Initialize the internal disk (it should have nearly all its space free).
2. Install the OS to the internal disk.
3. Erase free space on the internal disk.

The order of 2 and 3 doesn't matter, it just takes less time that way.

If the OP doesn't have the original DVD, or the DVD player doesn't work, or has no external hard disk, then it may be impossible to boot from any drive other than the internal disk. In that case, a complete erase and OS reinstall won't be possible.

 

[Intell]

CoastalOR's steps outline booting from the 10.6.8 DVD, securely erasing the drive with a one secure erase pass, then reinstalling the OS. There is no need to securely erase the free space if his steps are followed.

 

[CoastalOR]

The OP describes an "Erase free space" operation, which occurs after deleting the original admin account. This will not delete the OS. Alll it does is ensure all deleted files have their free block scrubbed. Any files that aren't deleted (e.g. the OS, the current account, apps already installed, etc.) will not be erased.

You may be right if that is what the OP really meant.

Have been searching through the web for answers but most are in terms where it is hard to understand.
I have an old IMAC, more than 10 years old. It is running on the 10.6.8 system. I would like to delete everything on it and sell it off, i do not use it much anymore.

will it be enough if i do this, I create a new user with admin privilege, than i use it to delete my old user account, the 1 which i used. Then after that go to disk utility and do the erase 7 time over thing?
would that be good?

I'm not sure that the words from the original post really meant just erase the free space only. I thought they may really mean "delete everything", in which case there would be no OS. Maybe the OP can clarify.

 

[owen coyle]

You may be right if that is what the OP really meant.

I'm not sure that the words from the original post really meant just erase the free space only. I thought they may really mean "delete everything", in which case there would be no OS. Maybe the OP can clarify.

I would like to make it to a stat whereby i can sell it off. From reading above, am i correct to say that, i can create a new admin user, delete off my account and use to the the zero out data erase? when i access disk utility from the utilities page, under the erase tab, this is the only option which i can click. it does not allow me to click the security option or erase option. i only can click on ERASE FREE SPACE option.

Would it be good for me to delete my user account and use the newly created account and ERASE FREE SPACE?. Also by doing this will the OS and the default functions all stay the same?
Is this recommended when trying to sell of the IMAC?
Is this better than buying and downloading a new OS?
Thanks for the kind help.

 

[Fishrrman]

The plan you have stated in post 8 should work fine.

Give the new account a simple name and password -- such as "temp" or something.

The new owner can create his/her OWN/NEW account, then delete the "temp" one.

If you want to completely erase the drive (EVERYTHING on it), you will need a way to boot the Mac from another source, such as CD, USB, external drive, etc.

But I think your original plan will work fine.

Why keep posting here?
Why don't you try it?

 

[owen coyle]

The plan you have stated in post 8 should work fine.

Give the new account a simple name and password -- such as "temp" or something.

The new owner can create his/her OWN/NEW account, then delete the "temp" one.

If you want to completely erase the drive (EVERYTHING on it), you will need a way to boot the Mac from another source, such as CD, USB, external drive, etc.

But I think your original plan will work fine.

Why keep posting here?
Why don't you try it?

Hi and thanks for the advice.
I would just like to see if what im doing is right, not push the wrong button and not able to sell off the IMAC. But now im quite sure of how it works, from all the users and your post.

Have a good day

 

[owen coyle]

Hi guys, im back.

As per your advices on top, all worked well, thanks again. i have another issue.
My system and preferences on the mac book pro which i currently am using disappeared quite sometime back, i thought it was something small and wont be a trouble. But after, the above i realised that it is important, Please do advice me.

 

[kschendel]

Disappeared, as in not in the dock any more? Find the icon in the applications folder and drag it to the dock, or just run it from the Applications folder. If you mean that you can't find the app anywhere, that's different, and you can try a spotlight search. If you mean something else, please specify.

 

[owen coyle]

Disappeared, as in not in the dock any more? Find the icon in the applications folder and drag it to the dock, or just run it from the Applications folder. If you mean that you can't find the app anywhere, that's different, and you can try a spotlight search. If you mean something else, please specify.

Hi there,
ITs totally not in the computer. I did a search and went through the applications and all. When i click on the apple logo on the top left, there is the system preferences, when i click on it, nothing happens too.

 

[Fishrrman]

"ITs totally not in the computer. I did a search and went through the applications and all."

What version of the OS are you running on the MacBook Pro?

Suggestion:
1. Download "EasyFind" from here:
http://www.devontechnologies.com/download/products.html

2. Put it on the desktop, Applications folder, anywhere.

3. Launch it.

4. On the left, set "files and folders", "phrase", "ignore case", "package contents", "invisible files & folders"

5. Enter "system preferences" in the search bar above, then click the magnifying glass on the upper right.

Do you get any hits?
If System Preferences is on the computer (but got moved), you may be able to locate it.

TRY THIS FIRST.
If that doesn't work, more advice will be coming.

 

[owen coyle]

"ITs totally not in the computer. I did a search and went through the applications and all."

What version of the OS are you running on the MacBook Pro?

Suggestion:
1. Download "EasyFind" from here:
http://www.devontechnologies.com/download/products.html

2. Put it on the desktop, Applications folder, anywhere.

3. Launch it.

4. On the left, set "files and folders", "phrase", "ignore case", "package contents", "invisible files & folders"

5. Enter "system preferences" in the search bar above, then click the magnifying glass on the upper right.

Do you get any hits?
If System Preferences is on the computer (but got moved), you may be able to locate it.

TRY THIS FIRST.
If that doesn't work, more advice will be coming.

Hi mate,

No it did not show anything, just 0 found/15155 done. the version is the same as my imac, 10.6.8.
i would also like to inform you that, all was good as per the steps for the selling of my imac. i opened a new admin account and deleted mine and use the erase free disk space option. But when i log out of the new account on the users log in page, my account name and logo is still there. when i click on it, i can log in but nothing is on the desktop. except its says
the home or users folder may have been moved or deleted.
i dont mine, but i think the new user wouldnt want to see a user with my name on it.
Any solutions mate?

 

[owen coyle]

Hi mate,

No it did not show anything, just 0 found/15155 done. the version is the same as my imac, 10.6.8

[doublepost=1486449142][/doublepost]Actually there is another issue right now, oh boy...

I turned on the IMAC computer, and hey..blank screen of death, that's what they call it online. I've been through about 10 websites and done all the different options. Nothing worked
1) Hold power key- shift
2)reset pram command+option+p+r
3) do step 2 till i hear 3 chimes
4) command + s , as per below,

1. At the command-line prompt type:
   
   /sbin/fsck -fy
   
   Press Return. fsck will go through five "phases" and then return information about your disk's use. Once it finishes, it'll display this message if no issue is found:
   
   ** The volume (name_of_volume) appears to be OK
   
   If fsck finds issues and alters, repairs, or fixes anything, it displays this message:
   
   ***** FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED *****
   
   If this message appears, repeat the fsck command you typed in step 2 until fsck tells you that your volume appears to be OK (first-pass repairs may uncover additional issues, so this is a normal thing to do).
   
   
2. When fsck reports that your volume is OK, type reboot at the prompt and then press Return.

any lastly, This was the last option which i saw, unplug everything, power cord, mouse, keyboard. USB cables, sticks. and repeat. i've left it there. Do you have any tricks up your sleeves?

HELP

 

[CooperBox]

Do you not have a Snow Leopard DVD? My iMac, about the same age as yours, also with the same OS, came with a boxed DVD. I've used it to re-install the OS, which takes off all the users personal stuff, and speeds up the computer back to as it was when new. Dead simple operation, step by step tutorials can be found on YT.

 

[owen coyle]

Do you not have a Snow Leopard DVD? My iMac, about the same age as yours, also with the same OS, came with a boxed DVD. I've used it to re-install the OS, which takes off all the users personal stuff, and speeds up the computer back to as it was when new. Dead simple operation, step by step tutorials can be found on YT.

Roger that mate.

 

[owen coyle]

Hi there,

I would just need 1 more advice, i have stopped going through all the trouble of blank screen and etc. I have just went on to install a new OS x. Before i sell, is there anything further which i need to do?

Thanks for the help

 

[Intell]

Nope, you should be good to sell it.

 

[owen coyle]

Nope, you should be good to sell it.

That's great. =]