Prepping my iMac for resale

[qcom]

Hello everyone, I'm slightly sad to say, but after converting from a hardcore PC user to a devoted Mac fanboy, I have decided to switch back again...

It honestly isn't because I don't like the OS. I LOVE the OS, but I can't STAND all of the incompatibility between certain professional programs, and I hate having to ask 'is this available for macs?'. Additionally, gaming on a Mac is a JOKE! I thought I would stay true to my iMac so I bought a game or two, and they ran HORRIBLY!! I don't know why, but they don't seem built to run the games.



I digress, and apologize for my rant! 😛


Anyway, to the main question at hand, I am looking to wipe my iMac for resale to some 'lucky' individual on eBay or Craigslist. Now, I would really like to sell it with some of my beastly software included, such as the Adobe Creative Suite CS3 (Web Premium) and iWork 2008 AND 2009. Yet, if I do a massively clean install, and prep it for someone to take it so that all of my personal data has been carefully removed, how do I keep the software installed?


Sorry if this post is in the wrong thread, I didn't know where else to turn..


Thanks,

BOSS

 

[BlueRevolution]

It honestly isn't because I don't like the OS. I LOVE the OS, but I can't STAND all of the incompatibility between certain professional programs, and I hate having to ask 'is this available for macs?'.

If there's something you need for work, you probably should've looked into that in advance.

Additionally, gaming on a Mac is a JOKE! I thought I would stay true to my iMac so I bought a game or two, and they ran HORRIBLY!! I don't know why, but they don't seem built to run the games.

That's why (the only reason) I have Windows installed on my Mac. Games run wonderfully on that.

Anyway, to the main question at hand, I am looking to wipe my iMac for resale to some 'lucky' individual on eBay or Craigslist. Now, I would really like to sell it with some of my beastly software included, such as the Adobe Creative Suite CS3 (Web Premium) and iWork 2008 AND 2009. Yet, if I do a massively clean install, and prep it for someone to take it so that all of my personal data has been carefully removed, how do I keep the software installed?

You don't. You'd have to reinstall it afterwards.

 

[thecheda]

Prep

I am also wondering about how you would clear all your data. I know data recovery is insane nowadays. A single reinstall doesn't seem enough...

 

[BlueRevolution]

Reboot to the computer's restore disk, select English, go to Utilities -> Disk Utility, select the hard drive, Erase, Security Options -> 7-pass erase, Erase.

 

[XxxMadCowxxX]

I think maybe i should sell my MacPro ;(

Need some cash ;(

 

[qcom]

Thank you for the responses.

Now, if I take something such as the Adobe Creative Suite, and I reinstall it after I reboot to the computer's restore disc, and then '7-pass erase' my HDD, that means I would have to create a new username, doesn't it... That's not really all that bad, but I am just wondering.

Also, would I need to include the install discs? Or should I just leave the actual programs on the machine?

 

[87vert]

depending on how paranoid you are you could just install a new / different drive into the iMac and then reinstall SL.

 

[cderalow]

Thank you for the responses.

Now, if I take something such as the Adobe Creative Suite, and I reinstall it after I reboot to the computer's restore disc, and then '7-pass erase' my HDD, that means I would have to create a new username, doesn't it... That's not really all that bad, but I am just wondering.

Also, would I need to include the install discs? Or should I just leave the actual programs on the machine?

if the software is legit, you would have to provide the installation disks.

if it's not, then don't even include it.

 

[qcom]

if the software is legit, you would have to provide the installation disks.

if it's not, then don't even include it.

Of course mine's legit 😀, but yeah, I guess I'll have to make that decision whether or not I'll include it. Do you think it'll add enough value including it?

 

[BlueRevolution]

I doubt it.