Restore Lion to factory/wipe all data

[Weaselboy]

Guess I need help after reading through.

I'm selling a mackbook pro (late 2008) and want to wipe and have as though the buyer just bought.

Problem is I have the original disk, but no cd/dvd (as it has been replaced by a data doubler and 2nd hard drive).

Can anyone tell me how to wipe and reset to factory lion default?

Thanks.

Just command-r boot to recovery and use Disk Util to erase Macintosh HD, the click install OS. That will wipe your data and give you a clean install.

The only issue with this is if the new owner ever wants to reinstall Lion they won't be able to because they won't have your AppleID that was used to purchase/install Lion.

 

[mspomer]

Thanks, but that's an issue. Here's what's critical:

1) New owner to be able to set up how they want when they open 1st time (without my ID or data being present).
2) The drive to be clean with no trace of my history or data

Suggestions?

 

[Weaselboy]

Thanks, but that's an issue. Here's what's critical:

1) New owner to be able to set up how they want when they open 1st time (without my ID or data being present).
2) The drive to be clean with no trace of my history or data

Suggestions?

1. When you get to the end of the install process a wizard will pop up that asks to select language and set the time etc. When that wizard pops up just hold down the power button to shut it down. When the new owner starts it that wizard will run and allow them to setup as new and make themselves an account.

2. What I described in my first post will erase all data on the drive including the OS and your personal account and info. If you want to be extra cautious, when you do the erase you can do a secure erase of the drive (this is blocked for SSDs).

 

[mspomer]

So if it's blocked for SSDs (and this is an SSD), then I can't do I do what you describe?

 

[Weaselboy]

So if it's blocked for SSDs (and this is an SSD), then I can't do I do what you describe?

Yes, you can erase the SSD, it just won't be what is called a "secure erase" where the drive is overwritten with zeroes to prevent data recovery. Data recovery even from a regular erase on an SSD is very difficult, so unless you have something very critical on there, I would not worry about it. Just erase and reinstall.

If you are really that concerned, you can encrypt the drive with Filevault2 (in the Security pref pane) then make a USB stick to boot from and erase the encrypted volume.

 

[mspomer]

Perfect. Thanks so much for your help!