Tips on Full HD Wipe/Clean Install?

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Posted:
in Genius Bar edited January 2014
I am selling a PPC iMac running Leopard and naturally want to protect my files/data from future users. I have a retail Leopard DVD and had intend to do a clean reinstall of Leopard from the DVD before sale. But I was curious to know if there was a reason that wouldn't necessarily be enough. I understand that the clean install should fully format the drive, and that would wipe all data. But is there some other step I should take beforehand (save replacing the hard drive) which would take the security of it a bit further?



I know that I am able to empty the trash "securely", but choosing that option always takes forever, and deleting all my documents, photos, music, etc. that way would probably take an insanely long time.



So, does anyone have recommendations OR will I be fine just doing the clean install from the Leopard DVD?

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 5
    smaxsmax Posts: 361member
    If you're really concerned about security, you can overwrite the entire drive with 0s and 1s.



    To do this, pop in your install disc and click the Utilities menu on the top menu bar. Open up Disk Utility. Click your hard drive, go to the Erase menu, and click the Security Options button. There you can choose to overwrite the drive for extra security. Usually one pass is enough, but you can choose something like 35 if you're overly paranoid (and have several hours to kill). At that point, go ahead and wipe the drive then continue your installation as usual.
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  • Reply 2 of 5
    taurontauron Posts: 911member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by icibaqu View Post


    I am selling a PPC iMac running Leopard and naturally want to protect my files/data from future users. I have a retail Leopard DVD and had intend to do a clean reinstall of Leopard from the DVD before sale. But I was curious to know if there was a reason that wouldn't necessarily be enough. I understand that the clean install should fully format the drive, and that would wipe all data. But is there some other step I should take beforehand (save replacing the hard drive) which would take the security of it a bit further?



    I know that I am able to empty the trash "securely", but choosing that option always takes forever, and deleting all my documents, photos, music, etc. that way would probably take an insanely long time.



    So, does anyone have recommendations OR will I be fine just doing the clean install from the Leopard DVD?



    Open the computer, take the HD out and hit it with a hammer. Done.
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  • Reply 3 of 5
    wplj42wplj42 Posts: 439member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Tauron View Post


    Open the computer, take the HD out and hit it with a hammer. Done.



    I have a hammer. Now YOU hold the hard drive steady.
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  • Reply 4 of 5
    taurontauron Posts: 911member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by WPLJ42 View Post


    I have a hammer. Now YOU hold the hard drive steady.



    I hold my hard drive, you hold yours, thank you.
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  • Reply 5 of 5
    rezwitsrezwits Posts: 916member
    WHat smax said



    Laters...
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