[Hoosier_1701]

I wasn't sure if I should post here or in the marketplace. I've recently purchased an iMac G5, and I'd like to sell my iMac G4. I'm, of course, planning to zero out the drive and reinstall the OS before selling. Here is my question: Should I just use the original software restore disks to put it back to how it was when I bought it (OS 9.2.2 and OSX 10.1.2 plus applications)? Or, should I also then go ahead and install Panther? I'm planning to put my retail purchased copy of Panther (and iLife '04) in the box regardless.

The reason why I hesitate to go ahead with the Panther install is that allowing the machine to boot all the way after doing the initial software will require me to register the machine again and create the initial administrator account. I would think that would be something the new owner should do.

I've never sold a used Mac before. Does anyone have any advice for me?

[mgl]

Originally Posted by Hoosier_1701

I wasn't sure if I should post here or in the marketplace. I've recently purchased an iMac G5, and I'd like to sell my iMac G4. I'm, of course, planning to zero out the drive and reinstall the OS before selling. Here is my question: Should I just use the original software restore disks to put it back to how it was when I bought it (OS 9.2.2 and OSX 10.1.2 plus applications)? Or, should I also then go ahead and install Panther? I'm planning to put my retail purchased copy of Panther (and iLife '04) in the box regardless.

The reason why I hesitate to go ahead with the Panther install is that allowing the machine to boot all the way after doing the initial software will require me to register the machine again and create the initial administrator account. I would think that would be something the new owner should do.

I've never sold a used Mac before. Does anyone have any advice for me?

Whether you install it to 10.1 or 10.2, you'll be faced with the registration screen. I recommend putting on the latest retail boxed version of the OS you're bundling with it. When you get to the registration screen, just turn it off. You can verify that it worked by turning it back on and being presented with the registration screen again after booting. I ran into the same issue when selling my last Mac and I put 10.2 onto it this way since I was bundling it with 10.2.

[Hoosier_1701]

Originally Posted by mgl

Whether you install it to 10.1 or 10.2, you'll be faced with the registration screen. I recommend putting on the latest retail boxed version of the OS you're bundling with it. When you get to the registration screen, just turn it off. You can verify that it worked by turning it back on and being presented with the registration screen again after booting. I ran into the same issue when selling my last Mac and I put 10.2 onto it this way since I was bundling it with 10.2.

Ok, thanks. That makes sense. Can I do that twice? For example:

1. Do a complete restore (so it gets all the original bundled applications) using the Software Restore disks.
2. Turn it off at the registration screen.
3. Install 10.3 Panther.
4. Turn it off at the registration screen.

Will the Panther install work if it hasn't created the admin account yet?

[mgl]

Sorry, I didn't realize you wanted to do the other apps. I'm not sure that will work.

I'd just install 10.2 like I suggested and put the rest in the box. If the buyer wants to install the old software, they can install 10.1 and then do the 10.2 upgrade. When i sold my machine, I did exactly what I suggested and the buyer ended up wanting it that way.

Plus, it let me take pictures of the computer at the registration screen for eBay, to show I'd just doen a fresh install.

[southtdi]

Just create a simple admin account. The new owner can create thier own account with administrative access and then delete the admin account after they get theirs up and running.

[Hoosier_1701]

Good idea. Thanks.