How to Clean the Hard Drive on a Mac

Have you purchased a new Mac, or do you want to breathe new life into your old Mac? Clearing your Mac's hard drive is a great way to conserve space and get rid of old files. This process can also help fix issues associated with damaged hard drives and give your computer a fresh start.

Things You'll Need

• External hard drive for backup
• Mac OS Install DVD

Instructions

1. Back up all data on your hard drive before proceeding any further. If you are using an external drive with software like Apple's Time Machine, your data is already backed up. You can also archive important files online or by burning them to DVDs.

2. Insert the Mac OS Install DVD that was included with your machine and click "Install Mac OS X." Your computer will need to restart to be able to proceed any further, since you can't clear the startup disk currently in use.

3. 

   Select the "Disk First Aid" option from the "Utilities" menu. Pick the "Erase" tab and select the drive you want to clear.

4. Choose a format and name the drive you're about to clear. If you want to make data on the drive unrecoverable for security purposes, open "Security Options" and select the best option for your privacy needs.

5. Click on "Erase." Your Mac will ask if you are sure you want to do this. You cannot undo this decision!

6. Quit the Disk Utility application and continue installing Mac OS X. This process may last a few hours.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're still having hardware issues after following these instructions, your drive may need to be replaced. Go to an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for further assistance.

• Reformatting your drive will delete it completely. Make sure you back up all necessary files and applications before erasing anything.

Resources

• Performing an Erase and Install (Apple Support Article)
• Reformatting Hard Drives (Apple Support Article)