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How do you clear everything off a Mac as if it were new?

How do i erase everything on my mac?

  • I just recently bought a used iMac computer, and i want to completely erase everything the original owner has on here. How do i do this?

  • Answer:

    Dependent on the age of the iMac, you may be able to purchase purchase disks for the iMac. And if the Mac OS is 10.7 (Lion) you may be able to restore the system. Since you mention it was used I doubt seriously it has 10.7 and may be using a powerpc processor instead of an intel processor. Without more information about the system: processor, Mac OS, Ram, it is difficult to offer a concise solution to erasing and installing the Mac OS. One other thing, Macs are not designed to allow an Mac OS installed on the system than what was originally on the the system. Click on the Apple while on the desktop and select "about this mac". The screen that comes up will tell you about the cpu (processor), the Mac OS running and Memory (RAM). Knowing these things will allow a basic perspective of what the system may need for the purchase of the MacOS that can be used on the system (to erase and install).

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If you haven't got the original install discs, ask the previous owner for them. It's not optional, they belong to a Mac when you buy one. You won't be able to erase and reinstall the system without an install disc. (Or, on Macs that have OS X 10.7, an installer on a USB thumb drive.) All you can do, without the install disc, is create a new user account in System Preferences –> Accounts/User Groups, log into the new user account and then use the accounts control panel to erase the previous user account. This is however not even remotely a clean wipe, because the installed system and software remains untouched. Once you have an install disc, it's simple. Insert the DVD, restart the Mac and keep the C key pressed until the Apple logo appears. It takes a few minutes to boot from the DVD. When it's up, you have to choose a language, and then you get to a screen where you can launch the install application. If you want to wipe the hard drive of any possible partition (e.g. because the previous owner had a Windows (Bootcamp) partition or installed OS X 10.7 Lion), launch Disk Utility from the Utilities menu first. In Disk Utility, select the hard disk in the left-hand panel, then click on the 'Partition' button. Choose to create a new single partition, select the format 'Mac OS X Extended (Journaled)', then click 'Apply'. When it's done, quit Disk Application and continue with the OS X installer application. You might also consider purchasing a (possibly) more recent generation of OS X, depending on the exact iMac model (PowerPC processor or Intel processor? Production year? – check Apple menu->About this Mac) you have. If you add the exact model to your question, you can get advice on what version to choose.

ƃʍɐp ʇıdsuɹnʇ

Boot with your installation DVD... Before starting the installation.... Under the utilities menu select Disk utility.... And then erase all the drives one by one.... And then install the MAC System files in a drive (Typically the first one).. All the very best :)

Ansar

if you have mac recover dvd or bootup disc, use it boot up and go to disk utility, ease , or choose ease 35 times.

mydream.myway

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