so im looking to buy the unibody macbook...but going to sell this one i ahve now thru craigslist. i have an install disc for leopard if i put that in and do a clean install will this take EVERYTHING off my harddrive...i dont want any sort of personal data to be left on te machine. thanks
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Reformat to Zero data
- Thread starter adnansiddiqui24
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Yes, if you select "Erase and Install" the computer will be completely restored to its original state, just as if you had removed it from the box for the first time.
However, if you're dealing with top-secret information, you may wish to first secure erase your disk.
However, if you're dealing with top-secret information, you may wish to first secure erase your disk.
No, it will not. Put the DVD in, boot from it holding down the C button as you restart the machine... and before you get to the install process, go to the Utilities menu, start up Disk Utility, select the drive in the sidebar on the left and under the 'Erase' tab, go to the Security Options button towards the bottom and select 'zero out data'.
I tend to do this three times instead of waiting for a 7-pass erase which can take an awful long time to do.
After that, do a clean install of the OS.
I tend to do this three times instead of waiting for a 7-pass erase which can take an awful long time to do.
After that, do a clean install of the OS.
Dude, zeroing out the data takes so long. Now do it 3 times? It takes forever... and for what? Just format the drive and install Leopard. You're totally wasting time zeroing data (like 2-4 hours of waste).
EDIT: I misread your post, I thought you meant you would zero out your new computer. Sure zero out how ever much you want.
EDIT: I misread your post, I thought you meant you would zero out your new computer. Sure zero out how ever much you want.
When you have credit card info and other private info on a machine stored in various files, if the drive is not properly erased they can be easily retrieved by any file retrieval utility... what's a couple of hours in the scheme of things? It's not like you have to sit round watching it.
Edit: Yeah, the old computer.
If it were me, i would be replacing the drive with a new one and reinstalling leopard onto it.
That way who ever buys it has no chance of recovering anything.
That way who ever buys it has no chance of recovering anything.
This is always a good method.
No change of data compromise this way.
Otherwise, a secure erase of the HD, then doing a clean install is the best way to go. One wipe is better than nothing. However, I would suggest a 7 pass if you have personal data that you do not want compromised.
Another option is KillDisk. However, you will need a PC and be able to connect your HD to the PC in order to use KillDisk.
Would you really want to buy a Mac with an aftermarket hard drive, installed by someone with potentially little or no technical ability?
I know this isn't a very difficult operation, but we also know that some people are truly all thumbs, and also that you can buy some really cheap mechanisms -- which is what someone's going to do if they're disposing of the Mac.
Then, what are you going to do with the old drive, have it shredded?
I know this isn't a very difficult operation, but we also know that some people are truly all thumbs, and also that you can buy some really cheap mechanisms -- which is what someone's going to do if they're disposing of the Mac.
Then, what are you going to do with the old drive, have it shredded?
A buddy of mine drills his a few times.
Personally, for those drives with sensitive info on them, I use KillDisk a few times, then physically destroy the HD.
My goodness. What are you people storing?!
If my credit card number or SSN is stored in a file somewhere on my hard drive, I couldn't tell you where. I certainly don't write those down in any files.
If my credit card number or SSN is stored in a file somewhere on my hard drive, I couldn't tell you where. I certainly don't write those down in any files.
Ironically (if you can call it irony) my business credit card has been compromised by thieves twice in as many years -- and nobody needed access to my Mac, let alone to deconstruct my hard drive, to do it.
I dropped my last drive over the side of my ship mid-Atlantic on my way to Brazil, don't think anybody will be getting to that one
Maybe I should start a business...
......I dropped my last drive over the side of my ship mid-Atlantic on my way to Brazil, don't think anybody will be getting to that one
Along with the body of your wife?
Seriously though...
A simple 3 pass then install the OS as new should be fine. (more for your peace of mind than any real threat.
Unless your on a CIA watch list I can't see someone spending many hours trying to recover your data after that.