Removing all user data - how?

Discussion in 'macOS' started by BFG, Jan 9, 2007.

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  1. BFG, Jan 9, 2007

    BFG macrumors member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2005
    #1
    Im about to sell my MBP, and i was wondering how can i remove all my data i.e. webpages, cookies, passwords, users, files? But leave the programs installed?

    thanks in advance
     
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  2. jeremy.king, Jan 9, 2007

    jeremy.king macrumors 603

    jeremy.king

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2002
    Location:
    Fuquay Varina, NC
    #2
    I'd highly recommend a reinstall, with a multipass format depending on sensitivity of contents on your HDD.

    Otherwise, if you want to ignore that and take a risk, try creating a new admin user, login as that new user and delete all the other user logins. This will remove the home folders where a majority of that information you want removed lives.
     
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  3. BFG, Jan 9, 2007

    BFG thread starter macrumors member

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    Apr 30, 2005
    #3
    ok if i was to do a reinstall, is it simply a matter of inserting the osx cd and following on from there?
     
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  4. WildCowboy, Jan 9, 2007

    WildCowboy Administrator/Editor

    WildCowboy

    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2005
    #4
    Yep...you'll want to do an Erase and Install. Very straightforward.

    You will get erase options for the number of passes...note that 35-pass is really only needed for computers with nuclear launch codes on them. (The procedure will likely take days to complete.)

    Seven-pass is very thorough and should only take a few hours...go grab some lunch.
     
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  5. BFG, Jan 9, 2007

    BFG thread starter macrumors member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2005
    #5
    ok thanks for all your help.
     
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