How to Erase a Mac Computer Hard Drive
When selling your Mac computer, it is critical to remove all of your information on the hard drive by erasing it--or "zeroing out" the data. According to Apple, deleting your data by sending it to the trash bin and emptying out the trash bin simply removes it from the directory. To remove it from your hard drive you must zero out your hard drive. Zeroing out your data protects your information by changing the binary code on your hard drive to 0, which prevents data recovery programs from recovering erased information.
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Instructions
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1
Insert your Mac OS X installer disc into your disc drive, followed by clicking the "Apple" icon on the menu located at the top of the screen. Select "Restart" from the drop-down menu and click "Restart" again.
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2
Press and hold the "C" key to run the installation CD. Click "Installer" at the top of the screen and select "Open Disk Utilities."
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3
Click the hard drive you wish to erase, followed by clicking the "Erase" button.
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Select "Mac OS Extended" under the "Volume Format" menu, followed by clicking "Options." Check the box next to the "Zero All Data" section, followed by clicking the "OK" button. Click the "Erase" button.
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5
Wait for the erase to complete. A complete erase can take up to 90 minutes depending on the size of the hard drive. Once the erase is complete, your computer will restart.
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Tips & Warnings
Be sure to backup your hard drive before erasing it.
